Inaugural Banquet and Fundraiser

You are invited
Inaugural
USA-NKF Professional Foundation
Banquet and Fundraiser

Open Your Heart with Martial Arts

A New Martial Arts Book by Dr. Alex Sternberg

The Road to the Olympics

Dear fellow Referees and travelers on the road to the Olympics

Secrets of Karate

Omote, Ura and Okuden

By Ridgely Abele

Karate bunkai can be broken up in to five different categories: Omote, Ura, Okuden or Kakushi, Henka and Sutemi. I will limit this article to the first three.

Omote means public or obvious. It is a reference to the obvious application. For example when a block in the kata is performed you can see that it is simply a block to a punch or kick. Also when kicking or punching clearly it is to a target like the solar plexus or groin and that is an effective technique.

18TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES

PRESS RELEASE

1926 Arch Street, 4R
Philadelphia, PA  19103
www.maccabiusa.com
T. 215/561-6900
F. 215/561-5470

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Contact: Dr.Alex Sternberg

516/652-3211 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

SEEKING JEWISH KARATE ATHLETES TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES AT THE 18TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES

US Karateka teach in Japan

2007 International Kyushu Summer Camp

Last year three US Karateka John Fonseca, Elisa Au and George Kotaka went to Japan to share their karate skills at the 2007 International Kyushu Summer Camp in Hirado, August 17-19. Sponsored by Champ Video, Human Club. The camp was hosted by Sensei Kazuyuki Matsumoto of Hirado Sports Club in Hirado, Kyushu Island, Japan where about 200 people attended.

We had a few questions and here is what they shared with us about the trip.

In this photo from the USA Open we had a chance to visit with our friends the Fonseca's who recenlty wed in Hawaii. We wish them all the best. - Bill Bly

Chad Eagan Interview

SANBON

An interview with Chad Eagan a competitor from California who is making the transition to instructor and entrepreneur.

Q: Chad you are a long time competitor and have an interesting background in that as a kata competitor you are probably one of the few to compete using both Unsu and Suparenpi? Tell us about your training and influences.

A:Yes, I am very lucky to have had a great training. Our style (Shindo Jinen Ryu) has elements of Shoto Kan, Goju Ryu, and Shito Ryu. My Sensei Yamazaki Sensei always emphasized the importance of kihon. It didn’t matter what kata I did, he made sure my kihon for that kata was correct.

INTERVIEW WITH KURASHITA HANSHI

9TH DAN, PRESIDENT OF GOJU-RYU KOKUSAI KARATE KOBUDO RENMEI

by Dong Tran
U.S. GIKKF Representative

[Kurashita Eiki hanshi, 9th dan, has been the 5th generation president of the Goju-ryu Kokusai Karate Kobudo Renmei (Goju-ryu International Karate Kobudo Federation) for the past nine years. This Goju-ryu federation was formed by Seko Higa in 1957 and rarely heard about in the United States. Seko Higa (1898-1966) was a relative of Higaonna Kanryo and began training directly under him when Kanryo returned from China. When Higaonna passed away in 1916, Higa joined Miyagi Chojun’s dojo as his kohai. Miyagi was ten years older than him. When Miyagi passed away in 1954, Higa temporarily assumed leadership of the dojo until it was passed on to the most senior student, Meitoku Yagi. Higa started the Kokusai Karate Kobudo Renmei (International Karate Kobudo Federation) in 1957, then opened his dojo in 1960, called the Shodokan. Later, his son, Seikichi Higa (1927-1999) renamed the organization the Goju-ryu Kokusai Karate Kobudo Renmei in 1977. The Goju-ryu of Seko Higa is characterized by two important factors: one, it is linked to Higaonna’s karate and therefore retains many pre-war original features; two, the energetic performance of its techniques is quite singular. It utilizes soft power. As such, Higa’s Goju-ryu can be properly called “soft Goju-ryu”.]

The Five Most Dangerous Trends Facing Small Schools Today

By
Rob Colasanti

Research indicates that the majority of instructors in our industry teach part-time. Many of these individuals can be considered small school operators; they teach between 50 and 150 students. Some keep their schools at this level by choice. Others are struggling to grow, but simply haven’t learned how to do it, yet.

If you happen to be in the latter category, then I’m glad you’re reading this article, because you will learn five dangerous trends in our industry and the one solution to avoid them.

Eimi Kurita wins gold medal!

2008 Pan Am Championship

Eimi Kurita wins gold medal at Senior Pan Am Championships in Venezuela!

Medals:
Eimi Kurita Gold +60 kg
George Kotaka - Silver -65 kg
David Rodriguez - Silver – Open
Cheryl Murphy - Bronze Open
Cheryl Murphy Bronze 60 kg
John Fonseca Bronze 80 kg
Brian Ramrup - Bronze -65kg
Men's Team Kumite - Bronze

18-year-old Eimi Kurita of Hawaii takes first place in the +60 kg kumite. Eimi won a bronze medal in kata at 2006 World Championships in Finland. Her goal is to win gold medals in both kata and kumite at the World Championships.

What is the difference?

Tokey Hill

What is the difference between elite and developmental level training programs, of what significance is a developmental camp?

 We’ve all heard the expression, “you must learn to crawl before you can walk.”  Perhaps no other circumstance holds true to this philosophy more than sports training.  Karate-ka are no exception to this rule, the best example being the succession of belt rankings one must endure before reaching the status of black belt. 

Eimi Kurita - Feature US Team Member

By Bill Bly

Genbu-Kai International Goodwill Championships

By Fumio Demura

2008 Champs Cup Event

By Bill Bly

In its second year Champs Cup grew by 50 per cent. Hosted by Samantha Hostettler of Champion Karate and Fitness in Douglasville Georgia The Champs Cup is a collaborative effort to raise the level of karate in the region. This year’s event was an USA National Karate-do Federation Qualifier and her team is very excited about going to Houston for the USA-NKF Championship in July.

Like-minded instructors were able to bring their students to a grass roots event where officials trained and licensed by USA- NKF used the World Karate Federation rules together sharpening everyone’s skills.

Eric Rossini of Massachusetts - Feature Instructor

By Bill Bly

At 37 year old Eric Rossini of Massachusetts is excited about karate inspiring a team of youths and adults with nearly 30 competitors to compete at this year’s USA-NKF National Championship in Houston Texas. We wanted to find out what is his motivation and how he is getting students involved.

Background

Rossini says he really got exited about karate when he worked with Pete Timoch a talented veteran that came to the dojo and taught him techniques that Timoch told him this is special stuff. Rossini learned sweeps throws and combinations that gave his sport a new look and feel.

Alejandro Cepero - Feature Young Athlete

“Dad, I want to be a World Champion”

By Bill Bly

At age six Alejandro Cepero of Florida told his father that he wanted to be a World Champion in Karate. I saw this youngster compete at the Florida Citrus Cup in 2007 and his kata performance was excellent. I later found out that his instructor is Sensei Robert Young, a friend of mine. When I asked about the boy, Sensei Young told me that despite his success in Karate, Alejandro remains amicable, humble and hard working. Sensei Young suggested we highlight him in a young athlete profile.

Antonio Diaz - Feature International Athlete

Interview with Antonio Diaz of Venezuela

By Bill Bly

Introduction

Antonio Diaz one of the top kata competitors in the world shares insight on his training and experience as a competitor. Recently he has been spending time here in the US training and taking classes. He won this year’s USA Open then traveled to France to perform in Paris at Bercy where they hold a martial arts extravaganza then on to the Italian Open.

The 2008 USA Open and USA Junior Olympics

View Photo Galleries from USA Open Here

The 2008 USA Open and USA Junior Olympics

T Hill attends FISU conference Brussels Belgium

Tokey Hill in Brussels Belgium for FISU Conference

From April 4th to 5th, FISU hosts a seminar for its new committee members. Not less than 70 persons registered for the seminar which is staged at the FISU Headquarters ‘Château de la Solitude' in Brussels, Belgium.

April 4th, 2008, on the first day of the seminar the new members learned about the General Structure of FISU.

Congratulations to Tokey Hill Committee Technical Chair of Karate for Fisu. Hill a Karate World Champion and US Coach is the 2007-08 CT for Karate. He hosted the 2006 World University Karate Championships in New York City.

Support is Critical

Support is Critical

Dear Friends,

I sent this out to a number of instructors whose names came up on my e-mail list. I had a very good response with answers I think may be useful to those who are interested in being involved with the sport of karate and the Olympic movement.

I have been doing what I can to promote this effort along with other aspects of martial arts through our news articles and travels. We get to take a lot of good photos and meet many nice people.

Having shared quite a bit of time with many of you I thought I might ask the favor of you to weigh in on this subject. I think this is a critical time for the sport of karate and the more involvement we have with the National Governing Body - USA-NKF the better we will be seen through the USOC and IOC.

08 Arnold Martial Arts Festival

2008 Arnold Martial Arts Festival

Columbus Ohio

This year’s Arnold Martial Arts Festival was a celebrity event for Martial Artist pulling together National Governing Bodies from the United States Olympic Committee along with many different disciplines movie stars and some of the top names in the business.

2008 JKF NW Classic

2008 JKF NW Classic

JKF Northwest

Portland Oregon – Members of the JKF NW hosted their 22nd Annual Ryobu-Kai Northwest Classic and as can be expected put on a first class event. Host Junki Yoshida and the hombu dojo provided an excellent venue for seminars taught by Kunio Miyake on the kata Pakiu and Seipai, Eugene Tibon taught Saifa, and Kiyoshi Yamzaki taught Gojushihosho, Roger Jarrett taught a business seminar and Cleve Baxter gave a USA-NKF Referee clinic. Sensei Miyake filled in for Baxter who was to teach Sepai but was delayed due to weather.

2008 Florida Citrus Cup

2008 Florida Citrus Cup

2008 Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival

2008 Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival

Top Leaders in Traditional Karate Meet in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Top Leaders in Traditional Karate Meet in Colorado Springs, Colo. to Chart Future Course for the Sport

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

Above photo - USA-NKF interim president Eric Parthens speaks about the role of the NGB and the importance of the task to achieve competitive sustained excellence in an effort to support our athletes like National Champion Bill Finegan.

– Leaders of the USA National Karate-Do Federation are optimistic about the future of the sport following a strategic planning retreat with 22 of the top leaders of the sport of karate, February 1-3 at the United States Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo. The goal of the retreat was to bring together representatives from the USA National Karate-Do Federation, AAU Karate and the USA Karate Federation to work together to chart the future of the sport in the United States. The USA National Karate-Do Federation is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of Karate in the United States. The USA National Karate-Do Federation is headquartered in Colorado Springs.

"The strategic planning retreat was a huge step forward for the sport of karate in the United States," said Luke St. Onge, Chief Executive Officer of the USA National Karate-Do Federation. "It is important for the future of the sport that leaders and experts in the sport are on the same page and striving for a shared and common goal. The strategic planning retreat that concluded Sunday, gave the opportunity to gather, discuss and develop very meaningful and worthwhile goals and relationships. We are very optimistic about the future, given the collaboration we accomplished over the course of the retreat."

The 22 attendees worked together through the retreat environment to develop very specific recommendations for the USA National Karate-Do Federation to carry forward to unify and develop the sport in the U.S. with the goal of becoming a medal contender on the world stage. Areas covered during the retreat ranged from Athlete Development, Unified Athlete Selection Process, Fundraising, Grassroots Development, Membership Development, Television, Marketing and Media.

For more information, please contact the Luke St. Onge, the Chief Executive Officer of the USA National Karate-Do Federation at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 719-477-6925. This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at www.usocpressbox.org.

Meet the White Tiger Rondy Chang

Master Rondy Chang

The White Tiger

Intro

In Cary North Carolina you will find what has now become know as a Martial Arts SUPERSCHOOL thanks to an article published in Martial Arts Professional Magazine. The Changs are also gaining notoriety again when featured in the Debut edition of Masters Magazine. However those in the know have been paying attention you only need mention Cary NC and most will reply - “ do you know they have the largest school in the world there with nearly 3,000 students?

It is no accident this purpose built facility is the brainchild of Master Rondy and her husband Master Chang however how it came to be is a success story most will envy and understand simply based on hard work and persistence. The kind of stuff you see in a great movie or when you think of the American Dream. However this dream came by way of Korea, why a young lady in pursuit of her dream, went for it and while chasing her dream developed the skills and perseverance that martial artist bandy about regularly. I guess the difference here is that some talk and some do. This article is about those that have done and continue to do so.

2008 Action Martial Arts

2008 Action Martial Arts

Atlantic City

The Tropicana hotel in Atlantic City NJ was the venue for the Action Martial Arts Event hosted by Al Goldberg. We had stopped by to visit with Tokey Hill who was there as a guest and promoting the Arnold Martial Arts Festival. This is celebrity gathering where martial arts legends as well as film stars are on hand for you to meet. The day begins with a program of ongoing seminars in the ballroom, while the celebrities are stationed throughout the corridor where you can visit with them. It is a short day as they wrap up early in the afternoon to prepare for the gala banquet where guest are honored.

2008 Liberty Classic

2008 Liberty Classic

Queens NY

Sensei Herb Wiles “ Liberty Classic” kicked off the karate season and was the inaugural event for the New York Traditional Karate League. According to sensei Wiles this was a very good event and he was pleased with the progress the attendance was up for the third straight year and the quality is improving. The event ran quite efficiently.

Top Leaders in Traditional Karate Meet

February 6, 2008

Top Leaders in Traditional Karate Meet in Colorado Springs, Colo. to Chart Future Course for the Sport

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Leaders of the USA National Karate-Do Federation are optimistic about the future of the sport following a strategic planning retreat with 22 of the top leaders of the sport of karate, February 1-3 at the United States Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo. The goal of the retreat was to bring together representatives from the USA National Karate-Do Federation, AAU Karate and the USA Karate Federation to work together to chart the future of the sport in the United States. The USA National Karate-Do Federation is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of Karate in the United States. The USA National Karate-Do Federation is headquartered in Colorado Springs.

“The strategic planning retreat was a huge step forward for the sport of karate in the United States,” said Luke St. Onge, Chief Executive Officer of the USA National Karate-Do Federation. “It is important for the future of the sport that leaders and experts in the sport are on the same page and striving for a shared and common goal. The strategic planning retreat that concluded Sunday, gave the opportunity to gather, discuss and develop very meaningful and worthwhile goals and relationships. We are very optimistic about the future given the collaboration we accomplished over the course of the retreat.”

The 22 attendees worked together through the retreat environment to develop very specific recommendations for the USA National Karate-Do Federation to carry forward to unify and develop the sport in the U.S. with the goal of becoming a medal contender on the world stage. Areas covered during the retreat ranged from Athlete Development, Unified Athlete Selection Process, Fundraising, Grassroots Development, Membership Development, Television, Marketing and Media.

For more information, please contact the Luke St. Onge, the Chief Executive Officer of the USA National Karate-Do Federation at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 719-477-6925. This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at www.usocpressbox.org.

Fight Quest

Fight Quest

Jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson

While visiting the Alan Goldberg’s 2008 Action Martial Arts Convention event in Atlantic City NJ we had a chance to meet with Doug and Jimmy of the TV show Fight Quest. They had come by the event and were networking, we met while doing some PR work for the Arnold Martial Arts Festivl with Tokey Hill.

About the show
A blend of cultural immersion and good old-fashioned smackdown, the series follows seasoned mixed martial arts fighter Jimmy Smith and 25-year-old rookie Doug Anderson as they travel the globe, adding fight styles from Kali to kickboxing to their repertoire.
In each episode, Jimmy and Doug will explore a new location identified with a style of fighting, such as kung fu in Dengfeng, China, and boxing in Mexico City, Mexico. There, after first immersing themselves in the sounds, smells and tastes of the local scene, the two guys will separate to train with local masters of that method -- sometimes an ancient art of combat, and other times a modern form of butt-kicking. After several days of intense instruction, Jimmy and Doug will each face off against a local in a no-holds-barred test of skill.
The fighting is real. The injuries are real. In the end, only the best will win.
Don't miss out on your chance to tour the world through the lens of some of the earliest forms of combat. Join Jimmy and Doug in their Fight Quest every Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
American Samurai is arranging to interview Doug and Jimmy, to learn more about the show, Jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson visit the Discovery Channel site here

2008 Disneyland Martial Arts Festival February 15 & 16, 2008

2008 Disneyland Martial Arts Festival February 15 & 16, 2008

Classical Japanese Okinawa Karate & Kobudo

A part of
Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
February 15 & 16, 2008
President's Day Weekend
Friday February 15 - Tiger Claw Elite National Championship Qualifier
Saturday February 16 - Competition and Expo in the
Sunday February 17 - Magical Martial Arts Day in Disney's California Adventure® Park
PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:
Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival pre-registration is now open. Take advantage of the specially-priced registration fee which ends January 8, 2008. You may register by going to www.disneylandmartialartsfestival.com and clicking on the Register link or click on your specific discipline. The registration fee will increase after January 8, 2008.

2007 Masters of the Rising Sun

2007 Masters of the Rising Sun Performace in Purchase NY

2006 WKF Championship Sunday

Photos from 2006 World Karate Federation Championship held in Finland

Photography by Ryan Bly and Samantha Hostettler for American Samurai ©

Try listening to some of the music below then enjoy the photos - Bill Bly

2006 WKF Championship Saturday

Photos from 2006 World Karate Federation Championship held in Finland

Photography by Ryan Bly and Samantha Hostettler for American Samurai ©

Try listening to some of the music below then enjoy the photos - Bill Bly

2006 WKF Championship Friday

Photos from 2006 World Karate Federation Championship held in Finland

Photography by Ryan Bly and Samantha Hostettler for American Samurai ©

Try listening to some of the music below then enjoy the photos - Bill Bly

2006 WKF Championship Thursday

Photos from 2006 World Karate Federation Championship in Tampere Finland

Photography by Ryan Bly and Samantha Hostettler for American Samurai ©

Try listening to some of the music below then enjoy the photos - Bill Bly

Click on the photo to view the gallery

Tokey Hill 2008 Arnold Martial Arts Festival

Tokey Hill and the 2008 Arnold Martial Arts Festival

American Samurai Dojo moves

Florida Citrus Cup

Florida Citrus Cup

Sensei Minobu Miki

Hanshi Minobu Miki

Sensei Tomohiro Arashiro

Sensei Arashiro

Sensei John McClary

Sensei John McClary

Sensei Toshiro Oshiro

Sensei Oshiro

Sensei Javier Mantilla

Javier Mantilla

Hanshi Nick Adler

Hanshi Nick Adler

USA-NKF Finals Photos

USA-NKF Finals Photos Online

John Fonseca

Interview with John Fonseca

Q: John you looked in great shape at USA-NKF Nationals. It has been a couple of years since we have seen you compete. You have been busy give us an update on yourself?

The last three years I have been focused on teaching, running the dojo, and traveling to do seminars. I thought I was finished with competition, and felt it was time to put that energy into other aspects of my life. I have always loved working out, but training recreationally is very different than preparing for competition, which requires a much deeper commitment and a lot more sacrifice. However, when I started helping my friends and teammates prepare for the last World Championships, I got bit by the competition bug again. It’s definitely different at 31 versus 18, but if my friend and training partner Jack Pressman is still competing at 45 and running successful businesses, then I think I will compete as long as I still feel that rush in the ring

Giri

GIRI

Vince Morris 8th Dan © 2006

Kissaki-Kai Chief Instructor, Vince Morris 8th Dan, a former regular contributor to Traditional Karate, a leading pioneer in the introduction of the study of Kata bunkai and Kyusho-Jutsu recently returned to the UK to hold a series of seminars for his Kissaki Dojos. Often outspoken, with a reputation for direct speaking, Vince moved the Honbu Dojo to the USA following the tragedy of 9 /11 where he bases his teaching of realistic karate and Law Enforcement Training services.

The following article exemplifies both the depth and intensity of his commitment to spreading the truth about Karate, as well as his forthright style.

NGB Reorganization

UNITED STATES NATIONAL KARATE FEDERATION

by George Edward Anderson

Our consensus is that most problems within the USA-NKF arise from the dan grade Hieratical structure, and its reflection in junior/senior relationships, student/teacher relationships, and athlete/traditional student relationships. The different styles of karate as found in the USA-NKF are stressed by conflicts inherent in the above stated relationships.

We feel that the Dan Grading system should be left up to the member dojos. The argument over which style is superior and which style should predominate in the standards should depend on the competition needs, and stay clear of any outside federation’s search for dominance in the marketplace.

The following essays are a reporting of extensive conversations with senior karate leaders and are an overview of the problems facing karate in the USOC. Accordingly, they represent a unique consensus regarding the problems facing Traditional Karate as a competitive sport federation of the USOC.

As they were written by me, they are obviously consistent with my ideas.

"If I have hit any sore points, just put linament on them."

Labor Day Weekend Updates

New website online

2007-08 Karate Instructor Program

We are pleased to announce that a Karate Instructor Program is being offered beginning in November of 2007. Persons interested in participating or hosting should apply now.