THE TENTH SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS, 08-09 OCTOBER 2004, ODESSA, UKRAINE

“We’re never gonna survive, unless we get a little crazy” - SEAL

Of all Europeans, the Slavonic people have arguably suffered the most turbulent history. Indeed, the word “slave” is derived from the word “Slav”, because the Slavonic people were the currency of medieval Europe. They have a passion for the celebration of life, a propensity for reckless bravery, enduring blood ties, and a capacity to bear the unbearable and suffer the insufferable. The Slavonic spirit, therefore makes a unique and valuable contribution to the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation Pantheon.

It was only right that the Tenth European Championships should at last be held in a Slavonic country. Odessa, a thriving international port, was an inspired choice. A massive luxury liner greeted me one morning when I drew back my curtains in the Odessa Hotel, which afforded a magnificent view of the harbour. Each day and evening, local people and tourists alike were instinctively drawn to the sea front to think and find solace from life’s distractions. On the way from the airport, I could sense the energy of the Slavonic Wood Spirits beckoning me from a copse by the roadside, as my taxi struggled through the torrential rain.

The Sports Club Krayan was the venue of the Championships Course and Grading Examinations that took place on 05-06 October 2004. I would like to see Shotokan Karate-do International Federation to do all in its power to ensure that as many international championships participants train on the pre- championships courses. This is because they are a rare opportunity to train with a plethora of senior Japanese Sensei, all of whom have their own Karate-do story to tell. Moreover, training with each other cements bonds between Karateka of different nations, thereby building mutual understanding. This furthers the dream of World Chief Instructor Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan, in Karate-do promoting world peace and understanding. Kanazawa Kancho was assisted by Shiro Asano (Chief Instructor to Great Britain & SKIEF), Akio Nagai (Chief Instructor to SKIF Germany), Norio Kawasoe (Chief Instructor to SKIF Austria) and Manabu Murakami (Chief of the International Division of SKIF).

Having demonstrated the kiba dachi defence sequence of Sanbon Kumite No 4, Kancho taught Sanbon 1,2 and 5. In Sanbon No 5, the attacker steps forward from hidari zenkutsu dachi gedan barai into migi zenkutsu dachi oi zuki jodan. The defender steps backwards from shizentai. The defender spins on his left foot in an anti clockwise direction stepping back into hidari zenkutsu dachi age uke. The attacker then steps forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi oi zuki chudan, The defender spins on his right foot in a clockwise direction, stepping back into migi zenkutsu dachi uchi ude uke. The attacker finally steps forward into migi mae geri chudan, with kiai, landing into migi zenkutsu dachi. The defender responds by spinning on his left foot in an anti clockwise direction, blocking the kick with hidari zenkutsu dachi gedan barai, and countering with gyaku zuki

kiai.

Kancho explained that kiai was a meeting of one’s vital force and mind, as the individual’s energy pushes up to the brain. He continued: “In kumite, line ups and eye contact are important. Strong kiai makes the hara stronger, improving mind and body”. Trauma and stress can close off parts of the brain, associated with ageing. Budo training opens up new avenues in the brain, keeping vitality and fighting spirit, to survive such assaults on an individual.

I was surprised by the stratospheric standard of the Ukrainian students who formed the majority of the course participants. The children managed Happo Kumite as if they were born to it. The Japanese Sensei approached the training very strictly and trained the students hard. The Ukrainians I am sure would have it no other way. They were more than a match for this regime, as the subsequent championship league tables would show. In the Happo exercise, the defender stands at the centre of the clock face, with four opponents: 12, 3,6 and 9 o’clock. All parties are in hidari zenkutsu dachi gamae. All techniques are from the Jiyu Ippon Kumite Syllabus. !2 o’clock attacks first with migi zenkutsu dachi oi zuki chudan. The defender responds with Chudan No 2. Spinning on the right foot in an anti clockwise direction, the attacker faces 6 o’clock’s migi zenkutsu dachi oi zuki jodan attack, countering with Jodan No 1. The defender then turns clockwise, to face 9 o’clock’s direction into migi zenkutsu dachi gedan barai, countering 9 o’clock’s migi mae geri attack, with mae geri No 2. The attacker then excutes a very full turn, spinning on the left foot anti clockwise, to be at right angles to 3 o’clock’s migi mawashi geri jodan, countering with mawashi geri No 1. Kancho invited groups to demonstrate this exercise, firstly children, then women and finally men.

Kawasoe Sensei reminded us of the dividend of a thorough and comprehensive warming up session. Kancho has often said that it is better to warm up for 15 minutes and train for 45, rather than warming up for 5 minutes and training for 55. Master Kawasoe is one of the supplest karateka that I have ever seen. Yet his programme is suitable for all students, gently using the karateka’s own body weight against the floor, to effect deep stretching that can be improved upon, every time the exercises are performed.

Kawasoe Sensei continued with close quarter kumite training, which was well served by the sprung wooden floor of the Krayan Dojo. Training with a short maai is important for SKIF students, because Shotokan has the longest maai of all modern Karate-do styles. One must never be subject to stylistic limitations. No 1 moves from hidari zenkutsu dachi gedan barai, into migi zenkutsu dachi jodan oi zuki, chudan gyaku zuki. No 1 then changes stances on the spot into migi zenkutsu dachi gedan barai gyaku zuki. No 1 then steps backwards at 45 degrees into kiba dachi haito uke. Without moving the feet positions, No1 then changes stances into hidari zenkutsu dachi gyaku zuki. No 2 steps backwards from shizentai into hidari zenkutsu dachi age uke, soto ude uke, followed by migi mae geri, landing into migi zenkutsu dachi gamae.

Murakami Sensei took the students through Heian Shodan Kata. This was performed slowly and then at full speed. He warmed the class down with a breathing exercise. This was to stretch the spine, pushing the hands behind the body, palms away from the body, before pushing the hands upwards palms facing the ceiling.

Kancho had previously taught us as defenders, to break down Sanbon No5 at the point of having one’s back to the attacker half way through each spin backwards. This breaks each technique down in accordance with one’s breathing. Similarly, choku zuki was broken down at the point when the fists come together, when inhalation gives way to exhalation. Choku zuki was thus performed in both shizentai and unusually in heisoku dachi. The latter stance usage causes the breathing to be focussed higher in the chest than the former. The martial artist must explore manifold breathing patterns to control the movement of chi throughout the body.

This theme was developed by Nagai Sensei, who warmed the next class up with sideways moving kihon, from heisoku dachi into kiba dachi. In heisoku dachi, one performs left then right choku zuki. One then steps sideways, with the right foot into left choku zuki kiba dachi facing in the same direction. Whilst still in kiba dachi, one performs right then left choku zuki. One then steps with the right foot again into shizentai with simultaneous right choku zuki. One subsequently performs left and right choku zuki in shizentai. The left foot then steps sideways into kiba dachi left choku zuki, facing in the same direction. This is followed by right then left choku zuki. With the left foot, one then steps again into shizentai right choku zuki.

Nagai Sensei relishes in defeating the notion that Shotokan Karate-do moves in straight lines. Kihon was taught involving a change of direction in mid technique, on the half step. He also taught us a stance kata, moving in the four compass point directions; good practice for senior dan grade examinees. During the grading that followed, a Ukrainian candidate was obliged to demonstrate a distinct and fluid transition through zenkutsu, kokutsu, fudo, hangetsu, kiba, nekoashi and sanchin dachi, in migi and hidari format.

The Ukrainians trained in very fast and athletic moves. Asano Sensei exploited this quality to the full with furious Kumite combinations. Firstly, students faced each other in same stance zenkutsu dachi. Without moving the feet, No 1 attacks with gyaku zuki jodan, which is blocked by No 2’s age uke. No 2 then attacks with gyaku zuki jodan, which is blocked with No 1’s age uke, and so on, alternating the attack. This was repeated with chudan gyaku zuki, blocked with soto ude uke.

Asano Sensei turned up the throttle with kumite combinations, involving shuffling back and forth, to draw the attacker into the defender, and counter, forcing the attacker backwards, by crowding his maai. Partners face each other in hidari zenkutsu dachi gamae. No 1 attacks with migi zenkutsu dachi jodan oi zuki, chudan gyaku zuki . No 2 shuffles backwards with each attack, parrying the punches, with open left had blocks. Like a coiled spring, No 2 then counters with a migi mae geri, hidari mawashi geri combination. No 1 must shuffle back at top speed to evade such an onslaught.

Murakami Sensei continued this theme. In preparation, there was some mawashi geri target practice to a partner’s open hand. Partners subsequently faced each other in hidari zenkutsu dachi gamae. They held each other’s left hands. They also held their open right palms to the left side of their own heads. The right hands were targets for alternate migi mawashi geri jodan attacks, building the speed up to a frenzy. This was repeated with uchi mawashi geri attacks. This section climaxed with freestyle kicking. Partners in zenkutsu dachi gamae alternated any kick techniques, which were dealt with only by tai sabaki. These freestyle sessions were performed for decreasing periods of time, but with increasing ferocity, until they lasted for bursts of five seconds.

At one stage, the class was split. Kawasoe Sensei drilled the juniors in Heian Kata. Kancho and Murakami Sensei supervised kata training for the yudansha. This was targeted at those who were about to partake of dan grade examinations, with Gojushiho Sho, Bassai Sho, Sochin, Kanku Dai and Jion.

Next day, Krajan was the venue for the officials’ meeting. No shin pads or wrist protectors would be allowed. Mawashi geri to the opponent’s back would be disallowed. Arguments with the referees would not be tolerated. Once a decision had been made, it would not be changed. Apart from contestants medics and referees, only coaches would be allowed on the mats. If there were to be too much cheering, to the detriment of hearing the referees’ commands, then the whole squad responsible would be disqualified. Etiquette and discipline were more important in SKIF that winning. The overall sentiment was: “We want a good, clean tournament”.

Lack of rei “diving”, mubobi, lack of zanshin (for example; raising one’s arm in the air and looking at the judges, instead of focussing upon the opponent), would not be allowed. Non-acceptance of a lower ranking medal than one had anticipated, would result in disqualification.

At the hantai stage, the referee would have one vote. Moreover, if the votes were 2 shiiro, 1 aka and 2 draws, then the overall result would constitute a draw. One must have 3 votes cast in one’s favour in order to win. Encho sen would continue for 2 minutes, after which a definitive decision would have to be reached. A draw at that point would not suffice. Ippon would be of greater value than waza-ari, in the final reckoning.

The officials then considered five a side team kumite. If one team had already received the 3 wins to constitute victory, the 4th and 5th players could disqualify the whole team, if they subsequently engaged in excessive contact. Hansoku generally would be disallowed, albeit a good technique. Grabbing one’s opponent would be similarly disposed of. Two hansoku would result in the individual’s disqualification from the whole tournament.

Preliminary rounds individual elimination kata in respect of juniors would be The Heian and Tekki Shodan. The adults would be subject to Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi and Jion. Tokui Kata for the 10-14 year old finalists would be one of Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi or Jion. All other competitors were free to choose any tokui kata. Kata judges would be obliged to perceive the whole technique. Small stylistic variations, within established parameters would be tolerated. No issue would be taken in relation to, for example, a right foot movement into the yamae position, at the conclusion of kata Jion.

Six tatami would be employed for the tournament, until the grand finale, thus ensuring an expedient processing of the 500 contestants present. The Grand Opening Ceremony was scheduled for the afternoon of the second day of the championship.

The championship was staged by SKIF Ukraine on 08-09 October 2004, at the Sports Palace of Odessa. All the veteran events were held first, in order to release the total number of referees and judges, as soon as possible. Murakami Sensei patrolled the six areas continuously, to ensure that the standards of the judges and officials were maintained at a level worthy of a SKIF International meeting. At one point, he ordered a fighter to change his gi, the sleeves and trousers of which were too long. The established international officials were joined by some faces new to me: highly competent Ukrainian corner judges, who acquitted themselves admirably. During the first day of kumite, the junior and veteran fighters were obliged to wear mitts. The second day featured the adult competitors, whereupon mitts were disallowed. I still have my reservations concerning children’s jiyu kumite. However, the debut children’s team kata event was a resounding success, and shows great promise for the future, once more squads are drawn to it.

Most people regard Ukraine as an Eastern European country. Yet participants from Eastern Russia had to undertake a mammoth 14 hour flight to reach Odessa. Ironically, Japan is a hop, skip and a jump away from their base.

United Kingdom’s Kenneth Davies informed me that the SKIF (Great Britain) Squad nearly missed the tournament, owing to the cancellation of its flight, at short notice. The squad was subsequently re-routed through Turkey. One of the most productive ways to show solidarity with and allegiance to Kancho is to support SKIF International Championships. Asano Sensei and his SKIF(GB) Organisation has shown rock solid support to Kanazawa Kancho in this regard, since the first SKIEF Championship. The absence of SKIF(GB) would not only have been a blow to the squad members, who had no doubt trained hard for their opportunity to participate in the tournament. The non-attendance of the European Chief Instructor’s Squad, would have quite simply devalued this event. Casting your eye over the SKIF(GB)’s medal tally, you would have been forgiven for concluding that this was predominantly a veterans’ Squad. Whilst not denying the veteran men their due in the kumite stakes, the UK Squad does possess some exciting new blood, which shows great future promise. The Asano sisters – Danielle and Kumi – are collating an impressive portfolio of competitive international experience in the kumite department, in particular. Unfortunately, their brother, Susumu was unable to partake of the competition, owing to injury. Jamie Hinson, with supportive Dad Stu on tow, made an exciting debut in the junior divisions. He is certainly a name to watch out for in the future. The United Kingdom’s highest accolade, however, must go to Howard Taylor. This spirited young man sustained several nasal injuries through excessive facial contact, on his way to a well-deserved kumite bronze medal, choosing to continue, where another might have feared to tread.

Talking of new blood, the German Squad should be congratulated on its three bronze medals. This achievement echoed the kumite and kata medal glory days of the 1988 SKIF World Championships in Utsunomiya, of which the superlative referee Eugen Landgraf Sensei had been a part.

Patrick Jaffre’s prolonged support of the Austrian cause in previous international endeavours, earned him a well- deserved silver kata medal. Another stalwart trooper is Slovenia’s Lovrenc Kokalj, who won a bronze kata medal.

Kokalj Sensei, of the appropriately named “Atom” Dojo, is to my mind, Chief Instructor Ivan Ceric’s right hand man. Lovrenc has been involved in the production of Slovenia’s world- class magazines and publicity material.

Azerbaijan established their dominance of the adult men’s kumite class, by winning both the individual men’s weight category titles. This country shines in kata, too. Junior kata silver medallist Rustam Madadov showed that his successful world championship experience of Bali, Indonesia in 2000, continues to bear fruit. Another junior trooper demonstrated his pedigree, with stalwart consistency. The current junior kata and kumite reserve world champion, Russia’s Innokenty Sukhorukov brought home a junior kata bronze medal. His well-seasoned team-mate Alexey Lebedev took the silver. At the other end of the age spectrum, the Russians must be pleased with their veteran men’s team kumite victory.

Current individual veteran world grand champion (kata and kumite)

Giampietro Groselle took the kata title in Odessa. The likewise accomplished Alfredo Romeo took the silver. Andrea Volterrani who represented Italy at the 2000 and 2003 World SKIF Championships, won the men’s adult individual kata event. Italy’s Chief Instructor Masaru Miura Sensei must be equally proud of his squad’s kumite achievements. Gioachino Beltramo won silver medals in both adult and Super Final Kumite events. He has matured as a fighter through his 2000 and 2003 SKIF World Championships participation. Current SKIF World Ladies’ Kumite Champion Marina Appiano must surely be the greatest SKIF competition fighter of all time. In winning the European title in Odessa, she has shown that she can prevail over different opponents, in different countries. This is the true mark of a champion. It is all too easy to succeed when you are close to home. To be able to maintain your focus over the travel, the jet lag, unfamiliar food and lodgings – that takes great courage and spirit. The Italian Squad must be delighted to have Marina in its ranks.

I want to salute the trinity, which has worked wonders in recent years, to raise Belgium’s profile in the internatinal arena. Firstly, there is Stephane Castrique, whose electrifying kumite demonstration with Manabu Murakami was a highlight of the Odessa meeting. Secondly, one must commend his sister, Sabine, who demolished the notion that only a Japanese lady could be a SKIF Individual World Kata Champion. Thirdly, the Belgian Squad’s identity would be incomplete, without the presence of Pim “Chippendale” van der Strappen, who enriches his environment with his larger than life personality. The Belgians would dearly love to host the next SKIEF Championships in 2007. I wish them every success in their bid. I know that they are capable of staging an event worthy of SKIEF.

The championships’ opening ceremony was punctuated by the performance of a band with drum majorettes. Ladies in Ukrainian national costume presented each Squad with a decorated loaf of bread. Such a present is the traditional Ukrainian offering to the most honoured of guests. Kanazawa Kancho commented upon the high standard of Karate-do exhibited by the competitors. Parading Squads included those of Holland, Hungary, Israel and Romania. Israel’s Danny Hakim Sensei is planning a “Budo for Peace” event in Europe.

Kyrgyzstan ladies deserve a special mention for winning a bronze medal in the Ladies’ Team Kata event. The competitor of the tournament in my opinion was Belarus’ Svetlana Vilkina. This was because she was a multiple medallist. In addition, she was generous and magnanimous to her rivals. Finally, she was the

most vociferous cheerleader for her beloved Belarus. Her conviction was well founded. It was a tremendous achievement of the Belarus Squad to beat the Italians into overall third place at a European Championship. Belarus ladies kumite team beat the sparkling Italian ladies, to eventually face the Ukrainians in the final. The Belarus ladies did not concede a single point to the Ukrainian ladies, to become champions.

However, the greatest triumph overall was that of the Ukrainians, who raked up most medals. It would be an act of vandalism to single out any particular achiever from the Squad. The Ukrainians had a hunger to win on their home turf, en masse, as a matter of pride. They won the prestigious Mens’ Team Kumite by the skin of their teeth, in a nail-biting final. The ultimate scheduled fight involving a confrontation with United Kingdom’s Pasqualino Mura, failed to provide either side with a victory. So, Steve Carless returned to face his Ukrainian opponent in the clincher, which went Ukraine’s way at the eleventh hour. Ukraine and United Kingdom both deserve to be mentioned in dispatches, for producing the match of the Championship. Ukrainian Chief Instructor

Serhiy Denysenko could not conceal his joy and relief that the knife-edge bout went Ukraine’s way.

The flight from Odessa to Vienna, next day could have been chartered by SKIF, for it was boarded by Squad members of Austria, Belgium, Germany and myself.

However, the spirits of many of us were dampened by the presence of one very special passenger. Yoshin Kamuro, of the German squad, was described by one

of the Israeli boys as a “great fighter; like Jet Lee”. Yoshin had been seriously injured during the tournament, through grossly excessive facial contact, whilst engaged in his kumite endeavours. The Germans wisely had a doctor in their ranks, and they felt unable to leave without Yoshin, concluding that his best interests were served by his expeditious return home. So, under the doctor’s constant and proximate supervision, Yoshin was quietly spirited away. I am sure that we would all join in wishing Kamuro-san both a speedy and a full recovery. He made a stunning international debut, and shows much promise for the future.

Yoshin’s story is a stark reminder to all SKIF students, sensei, referees and judges, of the maxim that our priority is our own personal safety and that of our fellow karateka.

Those who maintain that competition is irrelevant to Karate-do could not be more wrong. SKIF is an international organisation. Our students thrive on the ability to travel the world, meeting karateka from all over the planet. This breaks down barriers and pre-conceived notions of one another. It leads to friendship and mutual understanding. My technical knowledge would be a fraction of that which it is, if I did not compete. The more senior one becomes, the less frequent are the grading examinations. Championships provide the perfect testing ground for prospective dan grade candidates. Dojo training is far removed from putting yourself on the line, under pressure, and maybe even baring your soul, in front of hundreds of your fellow karateka from various SKIF Associations.

The senior Japanese masters must continually assess the international referees, for their fitness to adjudicate at the high standard set by SKIF. Furthermore, competition presents a unique opportunity to view the exemplification of a national spirit, and technical nuance of a squad. Moreover, a sojourn in a foreign country as a Karate-do diplomat is an infinitely more enlightening experience than that of a passing tourist.

The pre-championship courses and gradings provide an unequalled chance to compare and contrast the standards of the participants at a truly international level. I could maintain a parochial stance towards my Karate-do. I could posture in front of my students, ad infinitem, in the manner of a demi-goddess, whilst they hang on every word I say. However, I see myself primarily as a Karete-do student. I constantly need the grounding of being just another black belt in a line up of peers and superiors. Without this regular reference point, I would lose the plot of Karate-do. I would become embroiled in the periphery of Karate-do, until I no longer practised it, becoming a Karate-do cardboard cut out. The coming together of SKIF students on an international level is the biggest of kime.

Who would deny our students the chance to be Olympic champions? The WKF rules as modified in 2002, bring us a step closer to being part of the Olympic dream. Kancho has worked so hard in recent years, to make this dream a reality. It would be a shame if SKIF karateka missed the boat, through insufficient competitive experience, to be passed over, in favour of other organisations’ members.

I want to dedicate my medal to my father, Tadeusz Zymanczyk. My father was a decorated soldier, in the Second World War. With his father and his comrades in the Polish army, my father fought in the battle of Monte Cassino. He won the war, but lost his land. In spite of his ill health, my father’s unconquerable fighting spirit continues to be my inspiration in Karate-do.

THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ZONIA ZYMANCZYK

Bozenna Zymanczyk Tedder, Godan