Kyokushin North Bondi Dojo 撃砕

Quarterly Newsletter Kyokushin North Bondi Dojo Issue 5 - Jul/Aug 2020 - karatebondi.com OSUmag

KATA KORNER with Sensei John Barker

Cover Pic - The newly renovated North Bondi Dojo Gekisai Kata 撃砕 THIS ISSUE The Gekisai kata have origins in Okinawan karate - their inclusion in Kyokushin is reported to be from Shihan’s Message p.1 Sosai Oyama’s training under Nei-Chu So sensei (Goju Kata Korner with Sensei John Barker p.1 - Ryu). It is important to note that Kyokushin’s Gekisai Legends of Kyokushin - Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt p.2 Dai ( 撃塞大 ) and Gekisai Shō ( 撃塞小 ) are not direct imports from Goju-ryu, rather they were developed So Says Sosai + Sosai’s teaching techniques p.3 by Sosai to suit the close contact style of Kyokushin. INTRODUCING Sensei Patrick Segat p.3 Now Officially Black Belt Profile (Graham Levy) p.4 There are many different literal translations of Registered Junior Student Profile (Brandon Benson) p.4 Gekisai (撃塞) and it’s generally accepted translation Mid Year Grading Report (Sempai Nora) p.4 is to attack/conquer and occupy. Dai ‘大‘ and Shō ‘小’ meaning ‘larger’ and ‘smaller’ respectively. The name SHIHAN’S MESSAGE General dojo news, dates & training times p.4 of the kata provides a summary of the intention of the kata with further understanding coming from the Welcome to the 5th edition of Osu! Magazine. katas’ movements and sequences. If we have closer look at the Gekisai kata, there are some key elements Since publication of the last edition we have successfully negotiated our way through remote training by way of Zoom to learn from: and have re-opened the dojo. Training is currently limited to non-contact work, but it is hoped that this will change in the near future. However, we are determined to adopt a cautious approach and not to take any unnecessary risks.  the multi-directional movements and stance variation develop power generation and fluidi- Students have returned to training with great enthusiasm and I must say that having you all back on the floor has been ty of motion wonderful. I congratulate you for the determined and disciplined way in which you maintained your training throughout  the variety of strikes develop flexibility of the lock-down. attack and our ability to react to our opponent

The Covid-19 epidemic has to some extent affected our student numbers and has caused a significant reduction in rental  The kokyu-ho (breathing) and tempo changes income from our sub-tenants. However, government assistance has been very helpful and I am hopeful that by the time help to develop our ability to harness our such assistance comes to an end, all of our students will be back on the floor and that our sub-tenants will have adrenaline when dealing with a combat situa- recovered from the downturn in their activities. I mention these facts in order to emphasize our appreciation to all those tion students who have continued to support us in every possible way. The combination of these elements suggests the

Gekisai kata are designed to strengthen our ability As you know, during the lock-down we took the opportunity of renovating and renewing the dojo. I am sure that you will when working in close quarters to an opponent. This all agree that the dojo is looking fantastic and I ask that you all do your bit to ensure that it remains clean and tidy and can be adapted to tournament and self-defence that you follow all relevant protocols. Getting the dojo into its current condition took a lot of hard work and special situations where it is important to maintain thanks must go to the whole Lotter family (who worked night and day throughout the renovation period), Sensei John composure, react with speed and power, respond to Barker, Sempai Dinei Daneris and Student David Milner. attacking opportunities and always trusting in your ability.

We are planning a number of exciting events for the second half of this year and are focusing Enjoy your Kata! Sensei John. strongly on preparing for our senior grading scheduled for early December 2020. I give all candidates fair warning that this will be a very tough grading and that the highest standard is expected. Unless you are fully prepared you will not pass. Those of you who will be attempting to grade to Shodan will be judged not only on your performance on the day (which will have to be of karatebondi the highest calibre), but on your day-to-day training from now until the actual grading. Training only once or twice a week will definitely not suffice.

One of the things that we did during the lock-down period was to do some work on the syllabus EDITOR (Password: MasOyama) and training videos (Password: karatenorthbondi) in the members’ (Sempai) Elliot Kleiner Shihan section of our website. I strongly recommend that you take advantage of these instructional videos [email protected] and that you also use the website to increase your general knowledge of our style and our school. Trevor Tockar All submissions must be received no later than end

SHIHAN KENNY UYTENBOGAARDT

In this, the first of our Series on the Legends of Kyokushin, we take a look into the history and contributions of some of Karate’s biggest names.

For younger karate-ka the name Kenny Uytenbogaardt will be as equally unknown as it is strange, but if you were to travel back to the late 1970’s and early 80’s it would have been similarly weird, as a Kyokushin practitioner, if you had not heard of him. Since 1979 he has been widely acclaimed in Japan, frequently appearing on Japanese TV and even became a comic book hero in Japanese Manga Magazines (bottom right)

One can hardly miss him amongst the crowd because of his height and his gentle demeanour. This has earned him the nickname of "The Gentle Giant" by foreign Karatekas. To those who have had the unfortunate experience of fighting him, either in the Dojo or in a tournament, there is nothing gentle about this man: he is simply an awesome fighter. He is, however also a total gentleman and a pleasure to train with and learn from. He also has a warm & sometimes wicked sense of humour.

Shihan Kenny is an 8th Dan Black Belt who hails from Cape Town in South Africa. Between 1965 and 1974 he dabbled in the martial arts, attending some Goju-Ryu classes, and taking self-defence classes with Shihan Len Barnes. However, his real Karate journey started in 1974 when he joined the Oyama Karate School in Sea Point, Cape Town, under the tutelage of Shihan Len Barnes and Shihan Trevor Tockar (who was then a 2nd Dan Black Belt).

It did not take Shihan Kenny long to make an impression and he was chosen as a member of the 5-man South African team to participate in the 1st World Open Karate Tournament in Tokyo in November 1975. This was the first ever World Tournament for full-contact karate and it forever changed the karate landscape. Most fighters at the Tournament had never witnessed full-contact rules and experienced a dramatic reality-check. However, the South African team learned very quickly, and, in 1977, Shihan Kenny stunned the karate world by his performance at the British and International Karate Tournament in London. Sosai Oyama, who was present at the tournament, was hugely impressed by Shihan Kenny and installed him as one of the favourites for the 2nd World Open Karate Tournament scheduled for November 1979.

Many experts believe that Shihan Kenny, who in 1979 was at the peak of his prowess, would indeed have had a very good chance of winning the world title, but this was thwarted by the South African team being prevented from participating in the Tournament due to a sporting ban that had been imposed on South Africa because of its political policies. Shihan Kenny was allowed to fight in the 3rd World Open Karate Tournament in January 1984 and, despite his age, reached the last round (last 16 fighters) and his victory against Japan’s Harutomo Takeyama was rated by Sosai Oyama as the best fight of the tournament.

Shihan Kenny also did well in ‘All-Styles’ competition, winning a gold medal at the South African Games in 1981 as a member of the Western Province karate team, which 5-man team also included Shihan Lyle Abel and was managed by Shihan Tockar.

Shihan Kenny reigned supreme in full-contact karate and retired undefeated as the South African Knockdown Karate Champion.

His demonstrations of ice breaking, using his hand and shin, have thrilled thousands of spectators from all over the world.

He further established his right to international recognition when he was appointed by Sosai Oyama as one of the only three westerners on the international technical panel of Kyokushin Karate.

In 1991, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Southern and Central African region of the organisation and has since been actively promoting Kyokushin in various countries in the region. In 2011, during the 10th World Tournament held in Japan, Shihan Kenny was promoted as a member of the International Committee of the IKO by Kancho Matsui (President of the IKO Kyokushinkaikan).

Today Shihan Kenny spends much time travelling the world and is in huge demand as an instructor at international seminars and training sessions. His lifelong friendship with Shihan Tockar has resulted in him developing a special bond with the North Bondi dojo and we have been very fortunate to have had him visit us on many occasions. Next Issue - Shihan Bobby Lowe The FIRST EVER Uchi-Deshi of Sosai Mas Oyama - Not to be missed. SO SAYS SOSAI !

“Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff – continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand”.

Sosai’s Teaching Techniques THE HAND AND ARM AS WEAPONS

A multi-part training insight from Sosai’s own books

Part 2 - Mawashi - Uke (Roundhouse Block)

This block is one of the most important blocks in all of Karate.

1: Migi-Mawashe-Uke (right roundhouse block)

A: Starting from the parallel stance, raise your right arm and bend it at the elbow. The elbow should be on a level with the chest. Next, bring the left hand across the front of the chest, turn it palm down and touch the elbow of the right arm with the wrist of the left hand.

B: The right arm is now extended downwards in a circular motion, while the left arm is being brought up with the hands crossing in front of the face.

C: The right hand is now extended straight downwards, while the left arm has continued in its circular path across the face and out to the side.

D: The hands are now in position to block punches: the right hand at shoulder level protects the upper body and face, the left hand in the hip area protects the lower body and genital area. Both defences rely on the heels of the hands for maximum protection.

E: After the blocks have been performed, both arms are extended forward with the heels of both hands protruding in Shotei-Oshi (palm heel thrust).

F: Side View of E, The progression of the hands into Shotei-Oshi (palm heel thrust).

2: Hidari-Mawashe-Uke (left roundhouse block)

This is the same as the right roundhouse block except that it is performed in the opposite direction.

INTRODUCING…. Sensei Patrick Segat from Italy has been training with us for the last few months and intends to continue to do so for the remainder of his time in Australia. He has impressed with his willingness to learn and to adapt to a new style and has displayed great humility and respect in his training. Shihan Tockar has commented on these qualities, referring to the Kyokushin philosophy as expressed by Kancho Matsui: “Keep your head low (modesty), eyes high (ambition), mouth shut (serenity) base yourself on filial piety and benefit others”.

We include in this edition of OSU Mag a short biography written by Sensei Patrick and note that the masters mentioned by him in his biography include some of the greatest Karate Masters of all time…

Hi everyone, my name is Patrick and I’m from Sondrio, Italy….a small city near the Italian alps.

Karate has always been my passion every since I was little. My journey with karate started in 1994 when I was a young child as I would watch my father who was personally training my brother. Inspired by seeing the beautiful movements of Karate, I began my journey on learning the art of Karate. My father, named Edy, was a student of Sensei Hiroshi Shirai (10th dan), one of the first pioneers of Karate in Italy and the founder of the Okinawa Karate Club Sondrio. He had the amazing honour of training under the masters including Nishiyama, Kase, Kanazawa and Enoeda. Growing up, I would regularly take a train to Milan to train with the Japanese masters who were based in Italy, including Shirai, Naito and Miura.

After earning my black belt in 2006 and taking part in many Italian tournaments, I started to teach in the dojo and then I eventually started and ran my own dojo. Ever since then, I have grown and earned my 5th dan. In 2014, I had the pleasure of meeting Sensei Tatsuya Naka and from that day forward, I’ve followed him at his seminars throughout Europe. For two years I was part of his study group, the Taishijuku dojo in Tokyo. I also had the honour of training several times with sensei Morio Higaonna and Akihito Yagi of the Okinawan Goju Ryu. Another point of pride for my in my Karate journey is having been portrayed in karate poses by the famous italian painter and artist Alex Folla – who is also a rigorous and enthusiastic karate student. I feel privileged to have found my new “home” here with you all in Sydney and I hope it will be an continuing exchange of mutual learning and friendship. Osu! BLACK BELT PROFILE Sensei Graham Levy - 3rd Dan

Sensei Graham was instrumental in setting up the Maccabi Karate Guild and has managed the karate team at the 2005 Maccabiah. He has won gold in the Master’s kumite division for both Maccabi and All-styles Karate in the past.

He has always been a fantastic ambassador for Kyokushin and several of the “converts” we have today from other styles would not be with us, had it not been for the influence of Sensei Graham.

With a natural aptitude for marketing and networking, Sensei Graham has built up and run extremely successful kids’ karate programs in Sydney.

MID-YEAR GRADINGS A SUCCESS and Covid-19 was NOT invited! A martial arts fanatic, he has, undeniably, the most compre- hensive DVD and resource book collection in the southern Over 2 weekends in June, adult, teen and junior hemisphere. He is also a keen Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu practitioner. Feature Postponement! students successfully graded to their next belts. He achieved his Nidan in 2009 and successfully graded to his Sandan in Japan in 2015. What an achievement after 12 weeks of training Last edition we advertised a story this quarter called “How Dedicated Sensei Graham embodies the spirit of Kyokushin. via ZOOM!! to your Karate are you?” Featuring the inspirational story of Joel JUNIOR STUDENT PROFILE In the Junior Grading, our kids blew us away Emanual Sabimana of Rwanda. Brandon Benson - Brown Belt with one of the strongest gradings we have seen Brandon is one of our Dojo’s star in a long time. Well done crew, we are super Due to the MASSIVE amount of performers. He graded to his brown proud of you. content this quarter, we’ve pushed belt in December last year, which was one of the most grueling this story back to a later issue. gradings on record. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions on He’s been competing on a national number of people allowed inside the dojo, DATES TO DIARISE level for quite some time and was parents were not allowed to watch the grading. also part of our IFT 2018 team in Tokyo. Parents’ Class, We thank our photographers Sensei Alex As a valued member of our dojo family, he’s managed to persuade Karnasopoulos, Matt Elvidge, Steven Veytsblit Wed Aug 5, 6:30-7:30 pm his dad Justin to start Karate last and Carol Thornton for the wonderful photos year and has just successfully passed his first grading. We still have a few spots left that captured the day. this week. If you have not registered yet, please click HERE. Congratulations to all who participated and a big Dojo Tournament, Sun Sep 13, thanks to all who volunteered to assist on both Mega KATA Challenge (in the dojo) days. Kids 5-12 years Year-End Grading Sunday Nov 29 Osu! Sempai Nora Adult & Teens Year-End Grading The galleries are available for viewing on our Sunday Dec 6 web site. Follow these links…

Teens & Adults Kids 5-7 Years - Mon, Wed 4:15 pm-5:00 pm (Sempai Nora) Kids Kids 8-12 Years - Mon, Wed 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Sempai Nora) TRAINING TIMES Advanced Kids - Tue, Thu 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Sempai Nora)

Teens Program - Tue, Thu 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (Senseis John B & Anthony + Sempai Nora)

Adults Novice - Mon 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm (Sempai Dinei)

Adults Advanced - Tue 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Sat 7:30 am - 9:00 am (Shihan Tockar)

Adults General - Thu 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (Shihan Tockar) Kata Class RESUMES ON 12 AUG Teens & Adults - Wed, 6.30 pm – 7.30pm (Shihan Jonathan Chriqui) Fight Class - Due to resume SOON (check web site for regular timetable)

See Class Information for additional information and session changes NEXT ISSUE - What is “Blocking” really about? We use the word “block” in a Karate context all the time but what’s the actual science behind it? It’s Physics 101. - Sempai Elliot Kleiner explains. Don’t Miss it!