7th IKO-Matsushima Kyokushin Karate Regional

[powerof0ne]

sites.google.com/site/nwkyokushin/calendar

I will have 2-3 students fighting in this unless they all get some crazy school stuff that happens. I may possibly even have 4 in it! It's knockdown rules with pads, basically. Shin pads, gloves, cup, mouthpiece (males) and soft chest protectors for females. I'm more or less encouraging my students that want to fight in April to fight on this to get their feet wet.

I'll try to get some pics and do a write up on this! I think "Seattle" is going to be at this? I'm about 99% sure he'll have students of his fighting, too. BTW, this is open to all styles, competitors, regardless of organization.

It even has "ring style" fights which is like San Shou rules with headgear and gloves which are provided. I may have one student fighting under those rules, but we'll see. If I was able to compete those are the rules I'd be fighting under , however, I don't think it'd be fair for me considering I had a couple of pro MT fights, and that's a bit too similar to MT to give me an advantage.

Anyhow, ramble over, should be a fun event!
Osu!

[MMX]

Sounds like it will be a great time.

I would love to come watch but alas..

;D

[seattle]

Save the trip for the spring knockdown tournament.

[powerof0ne]

I think Milkman will be lucky if he can get away to the Sabaki challenge in the same month this coming year....would be nice to have him in the Seattle area, though!
Osu!

[seattle]

The time frame may change for the spring as I am no longer the host. It will still be spring, but I don't know when yet.

[powerof0ne]

Oct 10, 2011 1:54:58 GMT -5 seattle said:

The time frame may change for the spring as I am no longer the host. It will still be spring, but I don't know when yet.

Oh ok, please let me know when and where? Is it still going to be in WA state? I keep forgetting I'll see you tomorrow, I'll just talk to you in person about this or I could even *gasp* text or call you. Kind of silly but I guess it's also good knowledge for anybody reading this that may plan on competing in it.

2-3 of my students will be in the same division tomorrow and obviously Kat won't be in the same one since she's a she. I've been talking to them the last few days and they're all excited in nervous. I'm surprisingly calm and just want to see how they do so I can build from their.

We should be there by 830-9 am for them to weigh in but I'm not sure how long after the tournament we'll be sticking around for.

I will make sure to wear my knockdownfighters.com t shirt to represent zent zent!
Osu!

[powerof0ne]

Was a great tournament ! I had four students fighting, and 3 of 4 placed, 2 of them fought in the same division, with one getting 2nd, and the other getting 3rd. My female fighter got 3rd place . What's funny is the one that got 2nd did some weird stuff he never has done in the dojo, during kumite, etc. One thing he did which I've told the many times before not to do...spin around exposing his back to his opponent. The only time someone should spin their back if they're doing a ushiro geri, ushiro mawashi, etc..spinning back fist or elbow...but don't just spin around to spin around!

My student Duong felt the need to be 110% honest of his martial art experience and put down his has 5 years experience....he has about 6-7 months Kyokushin with me and maybe a year tops in Muay Thai, his other experience is in no contact kung fu, point karate, and aikido...so Duong's first opponent was a shodan. I told Duong he now can expect to fight a brown belt or higher from now on. Duong did good though, but unfortunately he gassed out after a minute or so, if he could have kept up the pace he did the entire fight I think he would have won.

In the end I'm just happy none of my students sustained any bad injuries and learned. Now I see what I need to work on with them on an individual basis and they have an idea of what they can work on.

The tournament was ran fairly smoothly with a lot of great sportsmanship. I think after every match, every fighter would go to their opponent's instructor and thank them . It was "semi-knockdown," meaning full knockdown rules with shin pads and MMA style gloves, it was a
great opportunity for those new to competing to get their feet wet!

I got to talk to Sensei Gregory of 21st Martial arts (? might be a little wrong of the name but he's a sandan under the former Seattle Enshin branch chief Vernon Owens) and it turns out he's trained under a lot of people I have, or known. It's very surprising that him and I have never trained with each other. Small world! With that being said, WA state is becoming a very knockdown friendly area. I think every knockdown karate dojo all cooperates with each other, wants to do training events, allow all of us to enter each other's tournaments, and so forth.

If any of you are looking for an opportunity for some knockdown, Bellevue, WA area will be hosting a tournament in April (it's 10-15 minutes from Seattle) and it's full knockdown meaning only the cup and mouthpiece for men...and mouthpiece and optional cloth chest protector for Women, also hosted by IKO-Matsushima.

Since I no longer compete, my new joy is watching my students compete and seeing them learn and helping them along the way. I couldn't be more happier, hopefully, only more students will be competing in the future! Hoping to bring 7-8, if not more students to compete in the April tournament.

I must add there is also the option for "ring style" which is similar to San Shou rules, if you know what that is. Meaning it's more or less kickboxing rules with throws and takedowns allowed. You wear boxing gloves, and yes, punches to the face..face punches in Kyokushin you say? oh no, heaven forbid! I may have one student do this in April but I want to get all the rest of my students to green belt level before I start having them focus on MT/kickboxing.
Osu!

[MMX]

That is great news!!

Nice report. Have some Exalt!

Sounds like it was a great time.

;D

[yoshukai]

Glad to hear everything went well!

Congrats to you and your students, PO1!

Osu!

[powerof0ne]

Thanks Yoshukai and Milkman! I don't make my students compete but I personally feel that if someone is physically abled and has the time to devote to training, they should compete a at one time or another. A tournament isn't a street fight, it has rules, I think we can all agree on that but what it helps with is giving somebody the experience of handling being nervous and the adrenaline dump! Every one of you that have competed knows what I'm talking about...that damn adrenaline can do some crazy things to you. Strikes that didn't seem to cause any pain all of a sudden hurt an hour to a few hours later...you feel like you're going to throw up, etc. Some people forget almost everything they were taught when that adrenaline kicks in and go into "flee or fight mode." This is why I'm an advocate of competing in full contact kakutogi like a Kyokushin tournament. The punches aren't pulled, and it's about the closest thing I can offer to a student to getting experience as a fighter next to getting into a bar fight....

Shihan Adams, the IKO-Matsushima Pacific Northwest Branch chief said something at the end of the tournament that I liked a lot, I wished I remembered the exact words, perhaps Seattle does.

Those that entered the knockdown tournament, doesn't matter if they placed or not, they all stepped up throwing strikes as hard as they can which separates us from point tournaments, there are no paper dragons here!

Any of you that can ever make it to this neck of the woods in the USA, I highly recommend this tournament and/or the one in spring. The level of good sportsmanship, fair judging regardless of organization, and very friendly people makes them tournaments my students will always go to.

I also snagged some nice Kyokushin swag ....black t shirt with Kyokushin design for $5! Another white one for $10! I would have got some sweat shirts if I didn't already have a dozen hooded ones.
Osu!

[pandorasvise]

HA! Guess where i might be going this Spring!!

[powerof0ne]

Dec 9, 2011 22:15:13 GMT -5 pandorasvise said:

HA! Guess where i might be going this Spring!!

Was talking to Sensei O'Connor on facebook earlier today and hoping you can come with her ! Sounds like she'll be bringing an 18 year old female student with her and a male student too?

BTW, good luck on your ikkyu grading Pandora!
Osu!

[pandorasvise]

I was talking to sensei too. She said I get to go if it is not too close to me fighting in Japan. I would so love to meet you in real life, but JAPAN!!! So if not this year next!

Thanks for the good luck, I think this time I shall need it more than ever. Fell while learning to snowboard right on my shoulder. Sensei and my fight trainer says it is something to do with my rotator cuff.

[powerof0ne]

Yeah, I don't blame you for placing the emphasis on going to Japan ! I'd do the same thing in your shoes, there will be other tournaments and opportunities for you and I to meet.

I hope you recover quickly enough for your tournament in Japan..please don't fight if your shoulder is still bugging you..easier said then done, I know.
Osu!

[pandorasvise]

good news it is not my rotator cuff. they said something about the muscle getting moved to where it shoulnt be and they are sending me to sports med on thurs.

You are sounding like my sensei, but i would prolly fight anyway