Shotokan Karate Blog

Shotokan (Shōtōkan) is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945)

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Reportage WSKF ENGLAND National Karate Championships 2016

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The WSKF ENGLAND National Karate Championships 2016 on Sunday 13th November 2016 @12.30, in the Spelthorne Leisure Centre, Knowle Green, Staines-Upon-Thames, was a success.

Aminata Atteby (purple belt) who won a gold medal said: 

“It took a while to get to Staines, but it was worth it for the medal. I had to check what section I was placed in. At first I just watched others doing their katas; pondering who would win and who would lose. I watched as people were told if they won; high-fiving and fist bumping each other. Then it was my turn.

I lined up with 4 others, bowed and sat, waiting for my time to stand. Soon I was up, butterflies fluttering in my insides. As there was only me and one other in my segment, I was allowed the choice of my own kata. Once I had finished, adrenaline rushed to my head; my opponent’s score was the same as mine! I watched as the judges rushed around, wondering how to solve the problem at hand. A few seconds and I had won! I smiled and laughed as my mother had also gotten first.

Later, we cheered the competitors doing kumite on. Friends from our dojo were recognised and won medals just as us. I saw friends chatting and congratulating each other. The medals ceremony was long, but it was nice to watch others be happy, holding medals in their hands. Only very few didn’t get medals yet everyone was happy. I did feel like I hadn’t done enough, only brandishing one, golden medal, but one was good enough.”

—
The Opinion of Elijah (1st Kyu) 

I entered the national WSKF karate competition on Sunday 13th October 2016. Firstly I was pleased by the decision to enter the competition and got third place but before that, I trained as hard as I could. I felt more nervous than ever (except when I get in trouble) but that wasn’t the case here. The case is that I trained hard and I worked many hours day after day. Each day I would train at least 1 hour and then I would do homework, work on another sport or relax.

I was nervous as we stepped into the train and went to the competition. Later we got there and met our sensei and some people from our dojo, I was delighted to find out I only had to compete against nine people. I beat my first opponent but both of my friends lost the first round. I had to battle four strangers in the final and I only just made it but I got there in the end I was pleased with myself as I got a higher score than the fourth competitor and got the joint third place with him. Though I think I should’ve been 2nd.

WSKF ENGLAND National Karate Championships 2016

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WSKF ENGLAND National Karate Championships 2016

Sunday 13th November 2016 @12.30 in the Spelthorne Leisure Centre

Knowle Green

Staines Upon-Thames

TW18 1AJ

Further Competition Information: 07739 897 917 – albert.gustis@gmail.com

WSKF ENGLAND – Rules and Regulations on the Day of the Competition

Kata

All Kata Categories will be judged by Flag and the final judged by points

  • All Kata (individual and team) will be judged in rounds
  • If the same 2 competitors tie twice, final decision will be taken by flag
  • Competitors can compete with their own coloured belts
  • There may be amalgamations of categories if there are not enough entries in the said events as per SKF rules
  • Kindly note the In Team Kata, there will be also rounds. Competitors may repeat their kata
  • Medals will be awarded for Individual Kata. Trophies and medals will be awarded for First Place Team Kata

Kumite

  • The rules are based on WSKF guides. The Chief Referee on the day will be Sensei Tomiko. The Chief Referee will brief all coaches and referees before the competition
  • Mitts are compulsory, gum shields and chest guards (girls/ladies) are compulsory. Groin guards are recommended but not compulsory
  • Clean white GIs are compulsory
  • Every competitor must provide his/her own equipment, protection, belts etc.
  • Medals will be awarded for individuals and for all first places teams members
  • The timing of the bouts is subject to change, depending on the smooth running of events
  • Bandages, padding or supports because of injury must be approved by the Chief Referee
  • Please note that in Team Kumite events, there may be a substantial difference in height and weight between competitors.

WSKF ENGLAND Competition Guidelines…

What does Karate-Do mean ?

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What does Karate-Do mean ?

The question comes very often about Karate-do. Lots of people interested in practising Karate ask themselves the difference between Karate and Karate-do. They are usually confronted with this question when trying to look for a club where they could start Karate. So we will try to clarify things and help everyone to understand what Karate-do stands for.

To keep this post short, we won’t go back to the origins of Karate but it is important to know that Karate as practised nowadays was developed in Japan.

In Japanese, kara (空?) means « empty », precisely « vacuum » and te the hand. In extension, Karate means « empty hand ».

Do means the way, the technique, the art.

When we combine all the japanese words above, Karate-Do means the technique used to defend oneself with empty hands – which implies without external weapons, using only the body. But beyond this primary definition, Karate-Do is an Art – a way of life.

Practising Karate-Do is being in the journey of becoming an artist in the way of defending one’s self with empty hands. This is much deeper than just punching others. It requires one to live according to some strict principles.

The 20 principles of Gichin Funakoshi, considered the father of modern Karate-Do

#1 Never forget that karate begins and ends with respect.

#2 There is no first attack in karate.

#3 Karate fosters righteousness.

#4 First know yourself and then know others.

#5 Rather than physical technique, mental technique.

#6 Let your mind roam freely.

#7 Inattention and neglect causes misfortune.

#8 Never think that karate is practiced only in the dojo.

#9 Karate is a life-long pursuit.

#10 Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvellous truth there.

#11 Karate is like boiling water: if you do not keep the flame high, it turns tepid.

#12 Do not think about winning; think about not losing.

#13 Respond in accordance to your opponent.

#14 Wage the battle with natural strategy.

#15 Regard your hands and feet as sharp swords.

#16 Step out the door and you face 10,000 foes.

#17 Learn various stances as a beginner but then rely on a natural posture.

#18 The kata must always be practiced correctly: real combat is another matter.

#19 Never forget your own strengths and weakness, the limitations of your body, and the relative quality of your techniques.

#20 Continuously polish your mind.

So, for everyone who wants to practise Karate-Do, they should know that it is more about these principles than the simple technique. Without internalising the principles of Karate-Do, one might excel in some techniques but will never become an Artist of Karate-Do

Sensei Kasuya in England – Sept 2016

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Sensei Kasuya in England – Sept 2016

Sensei Kasuya 8th Dan Japan, Chief Instructor of the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation (WSKF) was in England, Slough during the weekend of 23-25th Sept 2016 for another breathtaking training.

Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya, 8th Dan is the Chief Instructor of WSKF and one of the leading Shotokan karate instructors in the world. A former protégé of Nakayama Sensei, he was JKA Instructor and has an impressive tournament career in the JKA, SKIF and IAKF championships. He emphasizes budo karate, ikken hissatsu rotational dynamics and a thinking, analytical approach to Shotokan karate-do.

Sensei Kasuya’s specialty is his unique teaching method, scientific approach and dynamic technical skill. His Special Weapon is Taisabaki what means body shift.