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- FSKA
DAN GRADING
- AND
SUMMER CAMP
- JUNE
25th - 27th, 2004
- SPECIAL
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
-
- Sensei
Kyle Funakoshi, Roku Dan, (6th Dan)
- Funakoshi
Shotokan Karate Association
- The
camp
- At
this years summer camp and Dan grading we are once again
very fortunate to have as our honoured guest instructor,
Sensei Kyle Funakoshi, Roku Dan, (6th Dan) of the
Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association. Sensei Kyle's
knowledge, expertise, and his technical skills, place him
in very high demand at Shotokan dojos throughout the
world.
-
- These
few photos below show but a small part of our summer camp
and the grading that followed. The simple fact of the
matter is, that at this event where all of the
participants are dedicated, focused, and fully involved
in expanding their knowledge and their skills, no one had
time to take pictures.
-
- Basics
and more basics
- The
camp, as in the past, got under way with a review of all
of the basic techniques that are fundamental to the
Shotokan Karate system. Seen here are just a few of the
senior students who took part during the three day event.
In the front row from left to right are, Sempai Katharine
Kaye, Ni Dan, and Sempai Cathy Quinn, Ni Dan, in the
second row are, Sempai Tim Trytten, Sho Dan, Sempai Amy
Barnes, Sho Dan, and Sempai Sarah Bailey, Sho Dan.
- Always
leading
- Up
and down the dojo we went as usual. As always the sweat
ran freely, and our legs felt like lead by the end of the
day. Always in front, and always encouraging the students
to do their best, was Sensei Kyle Funakoshi. Setting a
truly excellent example for others to follow Sensei Kyle
never gives less than one hundred percent.
-
- Up
close
- Sensei
Kyle always made a point of clearly demonstrating to the
students the proper way a technique should be performed,
as well as also pointing out to them how it should not be
performed. Here Sempai Barry Norman, Ni D an, is about to
be on the receiving end of a very short, very fast, and
very powerful, close quarters technique.
-
- First
the punch now the kick
- Caught
as he is releasing his ushiro geri, Sensei Kyle's image
is blurred by the speed of his rotation. A split second
later Sempai Barry was once again on the receiving end of
another very controlled, and very impressive technique.
- The
look says it all
- Determination
and hard work have always been hallmarks of Sempai Cathy
Quinn's karate. Having attained the rank of Ni Dan at
last years summer camp Sempai Cathy continues to be a
leader in the dojo, and as a member of the Instructors
Program she always sets a fine example for all of the
other students to follow.
-
-
- The
Shodan Grading
- In
addition to the training sessions held over the three day
camp, a Dan grading was also held right after the last
day's training session for those students attempting to
advance in rank. This year two of our junior students,
Bryce McMath, age eleven, and Keir Bertram, age thirteen,
both took their junior Sho Dan exam.
-
- These
two students have both worked very hard during the past
few years in preparation for this once in a lifetime
event, and so in front of their peers, family, friends.
The grading panel was headed up by Sensei Kyle Funakoshi
and included all of the senior black belt instructors
from our dojo, who watched as Bryce and Keir took to the
floor for what proved to be a very memorable event indeed.
- The
grading panel
- From left to right,
Sempai Marilyn Norman, hidden on her immediate left is
Sempai Katharine Kaye, Sempai Donna Gray, Sensei Kyle
Funakoshi, Sensei Peter Lindsay, Sempai Barry Norman, and
Sempai Cathy Quinn. Not seen in this photograph as he was
out on the floor calling the grading is Sensei Kieran
Baldwin.
-
- Basics
up and down the floor
- Both
Keir and Bryce spent a lot of time is their stances. Here
Sensei Baldwin makes sure that each requirement is met
before he moves them on to the next set of basic
techniques.
- Kata
next
- In
addition to completing all of the required kihon, Bryce
and Keir were required to perform a variety of katas.
Here the camera has caught them in motion near the end of
the kata Bassai Dai. While they did their kata side by
side, synchronicity was not something that they were
expected to achieve, as shown in this photo the timing
for the movements in the kata was their own. Later at the
end of their individual performances they were each also
required to demonstrate, with the assistance of several
of their fellow students, the associated bunkai for each
movement that is contained in all of their required katas.
-
- Then
came sparring
- Both
of these students spar together on a fairly regular
basis, as such they are very familiar with each others
favourite moves. Here caution is the order of the day as
each one sizes up the other while Sensei Kyle looks on in
his capacity as head judge. I forget who scored the most
points, but in fact it really does not matter. What does
matter is that they both gave their best, and
sportsmanship was always at the forefront of everything
they did.
-
- Then
it was my turn
- This
years camp was special for me in a very personal way.
-
- In
addition to enjoying all of the other wonderful events
that took place at this years summer camp, I also reached
another milestone in my own journey down the karate road.
-
- This
year I too stepped on to the dojo floor and tested for
the rank of Go Dan.
-
- A
little help from my friends
- I
would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks
to all of my bunkai partners who graciously consented to
be on the receiving end of my techniques during the final
portion of my grading. From left to right, Sempai
Katharine Kaye, Ni Dan, Sempai Barry Norman, Ni Dan,
Sempai Cathy Quinn, Ni Dan, and Sempai Marilyn Norman,
Nidan. Your participation made the day all that more
enjoyable.
-
- First
the kick, then ......
- Knowing
the kata is step one. Knowing a bunkai for a particular
kata is step two. The hardest part has to be step three,
and that is knowing the opposite side of any kata. Being
in the proper position as an attacker is one of the
things that makes for good bunkai, another is having
great training partners as I am fortunate to have. Here
Sempai Cathy Quinn, Ni Dan, is again on the receiving end
of one of my techniques during my bunkai of the advance
kata, Gojushiho Dai.
-
- Jodan
empi uchi
- A
pivotal movement in the kata, Gojushiho Sho, the upper
level elbow strike seen here is powerful close quarters
technique. Poised to try and take advantage of the
situation is Sempai Barry Norman, Ni Dan, who is about to
attack with a chudan oi zuki.
-
- Still
walking the road after all these years
- At
the end of a long day, and in a very wet gi, I stood with
Sensei Kyle Funakoshi for a commemorative photo. Sensei
Kyle has been, and remains, a great source of inspiration
to me. I would like to express my deep appreciation to
him for his time, his knowledge, and his friendship, all
of which I am truly grateful for.
-
- I
would be remiss if I did not also take this opportunity
to express my sincere thanks to Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi,
9th Dan, Chief Instructor, of the Funakoshi Shotokan
Karate Association. Thank you Shihan for your
instruction, your constant encouragement, and your
guidance over the years, and also for giving me
permission to grade. After more than 26 years as a
student in what I consider a life long pursuit, the art
of Shotokan Karate-Do, I am truly honoured to be awarded
the rank of Go Dan within the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate
Association.
-
- Congratulations
- Sensei
Kyle and I pose with the dojo's two new Sho Dan's, Sempai
Bryce McMath, and Sempai Keir Bertram. Later that evening
at our annual awards banquet they both received their
black belts in what turned out to be a very emotional
ceremony for both them and the members of their family.
Years of hard work and dedication, had culminated on this
particular day, and yet both students are aware that
despite their success this is just the beginning of a
very long road.
-
- Time
to reflect
- With
the camp and the grading officially over for another
year, many of the students and spectators alike took the
opportunity to chat about the events of the past three
days, sharing personal stories, and comparing notes on
what they had seen, and more importantly on what they had
learnt. Everyone agreed that next years camp can't come
soon enough.
-
- Renewing
old friendships
- Seen
here with Sensei Kyle are two familiar faces, on the left
Sempai Curtis Lindsay, Ni Dan, and on the right Sempai
Derek Low, Sho Dan. Both students have previously trained
on several occasions with Sensei Kyle at the Honbu dojo
in Milpitas, California, and both are former competitors
and medal winners at the FSKA International Fall
Tournament in California. In addition, Sempai Curtis has
also competed in Europe winning medals in several events,
and at the Annual FSKA World Championship in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Sempai Curtis and Sempai Derek are just two of
the students who plan to be in Las Vegas this November
for the 6th Annual FSKA World Championship.
-
- THE
AWARDS BANQUET
-
- The
Head Table
- Sempai
Donna Gray, Sensei Peter Lindsay, Sensei Kyle Funakoshi,
and Sensei Kieran Baldwin look on from the head table as
this years graduating class put on a demonstration of
kihon and kata for all those in attendance at this years
banquet.
- Awarding
of their black Belts
- For
each of us, there are moments in our life that we will
remember forever, there is no question that for Sempai
Bryce and Sempai Keir, this is sure to be one of them.
Sensei Baldwin ties on Sempai Bryce's black belt while I
tie on Sempai Keir's. Congratulations to both of you, the
rank is well deserved.
-
- Well
Earned
- Our
heart felt congratulations to the two youngest Shodan's
in our dojo. Both are very dedicated students, they
regularly attend adult class, and I know that they each
have a fine future ahead of them and we wish them well in
their journey.
- Thank
you Sensei Kyle
- Our
special guest, Sensei Kyle Funakoshi, poses with the
instructors and some of the senior belts at the end of
another great summer camp. Even the junior camp which was
held separately had an excellent turn out. While all of
the students can't wait for next year, many of us are
looking forward to seeing Sensei Kyle once again at the
Annual Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association's 6th World
Championship which will once again held in Las Vegas,
Nevada, from November 19th - 21st, 2004.
-
- All
of the instructors and students congratulate the
graduating class of 2004 !!
-
-
- Part the clouds -
see the way.
-
- "The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
- of
the human spirit through physical and mental training."
- Sensei
Peter Lindsay
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