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WELCOME
TO :
THE
7th ANNUAL FSKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Las
Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
October
28th - 30th, 2005
Shihan
Kenneth Funakoshi, 9th Dan, (FSKA)
Chief
Instructor, Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association
A
gathering of FSKA karateka from around the world
Once
again the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association held it's
Annual FSKA World Championship Tournament in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The 40,000 square foot Pavilion at the Stardust
Hotel, located on the famous Las Vegas strip again played
host to this years event.
Instructors,
students, family members, and friends, as usual came from
a great many countries around the world. This year there
were twenty-one countries represents including, U.S.A.,
Canada, France, England, Ireland, Mexico, Czech Republic,
South Africa, Macedonia, Poland, Nepal, and Puerto Rico,
just to name a few. As always this event is a great
opportunity for all of us to renew old friendships, to
make new ones, and to practice the art of Shotokan Karate.
Friday
On the afternoon
and evening of October 28th prior to the start of the
tournament many students took the opportunity to join
Shihan Funakoshi, Sensei Kevin Funakoshi, and Sensei Kyle
Funakoshi, for a series of seminars covering kihon and a
wide variety of katas. These courses always heavily
attended and they afford all of those students who attend
a detailed look at every aspect of the basics involved.
For many students, especially those from Europe and Asia
this event is a rare opportunity to get this knowledge
first hand from the very best instructors that the FSKA
has to offer.
Thank
you Shihan Funakoshi
There
is no better place to learn the art of karate than on the
dojo floor, or at a quality seminar; videos, books,
magazines, and other source material simply can not take
the place of first hand experience under the watchful eye
of a master. I would like to take this opportunity to
once again thank Shihan Funakoshi for his knowledge and
his willingness to pass it on to all of us who attended
this years seminar.
Four
Friends
Seen
here with me at the end of the seminar are Sensei Selvan
Govender, 5th Dan, Sensei Kyle Funakoshi, 6th Dan and
Sensei Eric Govender, 6th Dan. Both Selvan and Eric were
awarded their present rank after their grading on the
Friday night before the start of last years tournament.
Dan
Grading
At
the conclusion of the seminar there was a Dan grading
with students from three countries seeking to advance in
rank. One student was from the USA trying for the rank of
Sho Dan, one student was from South Africa trying for the
rank of San Dan, and one student was from Nepal trying
for the rank of Yon Dan. The grading included, kihon,
kata, as well as the bunkai for each kata on their
grading syllabus, and kumite. A good effort was put forth
by all three students.
South
Africa and Canada
This year, with the
exception of competing in my kata division, the majority
of my time was spend judging. Seen with me here is Sensei
Eric Govender, 6th Dan, from South Africa. In August of
this year event Shihan Funakoshi made his first visit to
South Africa which was a great success.
A
long way from home
The
largest contingent at this years tournament by far was
from South Africa, a true indication of the great success
of Shihan Funakoshi's first visit to that country. A
total of approximately 120 students, family and
supporters made the thirty-five hour journey to Las Vegas
and their spirit, enthusiasm, and high level of karate
made them a force to be reckonded with in every event
they entered.
Always
in control
Sensei
Cross, 7th Dan, from FSKA main dojo in Milpitas,
California is a highly respected competitor and Chief
Referee. As one of the most senior ranking FSKA sensei's
his years of experience ensure that in his ring each
student is adheres to the rules and is judged fairly. It
is always a pleasure to be a corner to be a corner judge
in his ring.
One
of five
Each
of the rings at an FSKA event has five judges, one on
each of the four corners and a Chief Referee in the
centre. As always the safety of the competitors, and
unbiased judging, are two key ingredients for making
every FSKA event a success, and this year was no
exception.
Recognizing
the winners
Each
competitor received a certificate in recognition of their
participation and a few got to take home a medal. The
awards as with every other aspect of and FSKA event is
carried out with the utmost courtesy and respect.
Adult
Men's Sho Dan Kumite
The
Adult Men's Sho Dan Kumite Division is always an action
packed event and this year was no exception. After a
series of very closely fought bouts, first place went to
Chia Amor, of Shotokan KCR France, second place went to
Thomas Balka, of FSKA/CKS, USA, and third place went to
Dhan Raj Ghising, of Nepal Shotokan Karate Association.
Worn
with pride
The
gold, silver, and bronze winners in both the men's and
ladies kata and kumite divisions could often be seen
draped in the national colours of their respective
countries. One of the primary reasons for the continuing
growth of FSKA events on both the national and
international level is the reputation the FSKA has for
the fairness of the judging. Here a student from South
Africa is about to accept a gold medal for his efforts.
Men's
kumite
In
a very entertaining event this years light-heavy weight
division for men 45 - 49 saw first place go to Ernest
Lopez of FSKA Vacaville, USA, second place to Neil Brodie
of FSKA England, and third place to Rigo Carillo of FSKA
King City, USA.
Four
strong competitors
In
the men's 40 - 45 year old division the sparring was very
spirited indeed. In the end first place went to Lester
Patilla of FSKA Milpitas, USA, second place went to Rafal
Nowak of Harasuto Shotokan, Poland, third place went to
Allen Renfrow of Traditional Karate, Owensboro, USA, and
fourth place went to Shaun Millar of Centurion Shotokan,
South Africa.
Well
matched
In
the ladies 20 - 21 year old kumite division the gold
medal went to Agnieszka Olszewska of Bialostoki Klub
Karate, Poland, while second place went to Jaime Lupkes
of ASKF Lakeville, USA.
Team
Poland
Second
from the left is Sensei Janusz Harast, 6th Dan, Chief
Instructor of Harasuto Shotokan. Dedication, hard work ,
and good sportsmanship best describe Team Poland, they
came a long way to be at this years event and I hope they
can make the trip again next year.
Sensei
Ron Silverthorn, 6th Dan
A
strong supporter of any FSKA event Sensei Silverthorn
from FSKA Crawley, England, always brings a strong,
competitive group, as such the members of his squad
continue to do well at this annual event.
To
one and all
Our
dojo is proud to be affiliated with the Funakoshi
Shotokan Karate Association, and to support the Funakoshi
Shotokan Karate Association's World Championship
Tournament. On
behalf of all of the students from Westshore Karate Inc.
who took part in this years FSKA World Championship, I
would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere
appreciation to Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, his son's,
Sensei Kevin Funakoshi, and Sensei Kyle Funakoshi, as
well as all of the other FSKA instructors, judges, time
keepers, score keepers, volunteers, and supporters, who
helped to make this years tournament another truly
excellent event.
We look forward to
seeing all of you again in Las Vegas in October 2006
until then, good training.
-
- 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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