12 Year Old Kyokushin Youth Champion From the USA

[tsurugi]

Christian Buffaloe is a 12 year old Kyokushin youth champion from North Carolina, USA. He was trained by his father, Kenny Buffaloe one-on-one to compete at world level in Kyokushin youth competitions in the USA and Japan. He had no other training or sparring partners and no access to a Dojo or gym. Christian defeated many seasoned and experienced competitors to become a youth champion 7 times in four years as an active competitor. He also received the "Fighting Spirit" award on two consecutive years at a major tournament in Los Angeles, California. He is very humble and likeable and works hard in training everyday under his father's guidance. He aspires to become a Kyokushin "World Champion" in the future.

There is a documentary movie being made about the Father/Son team by an award winning director from Germany. It will show their unusual relationship and focus on how an unknown youth from rural North Carolina was able to rise to world level as a fighter with only his father's training/coaching in Kyokushin. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it here.

Here is a news article:
www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/05/v-print/1690156/the-dojo-next-door.html

Here is a video from a C.B.S. TV news broadcast on Christian Buffaloe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyE-IsxMhQ

[powerof0ne]

While living in NC I ran across Kenny Buffaloe's name, unfortunately, it was 2-3 hours, if not more, to get there each way by car from where I lived.

Kenny trained under the famous Shigeru Oyama alongside Willie Williams, who is now known as Kamau Okbar, and later directly under Kamau Okbar/Willie Williams.

Kenny doesn't advertise that fact, and from what I "don't gather on him," is a man of few words, and is much more experienced than his rank would lead you to believe. He is what I would consider a modern day "Okinawan farmer/fisherman" that just trains karate because he likes to, and isn't trying to grease his way up the rank totem pole like so many of us consciously or subconsciously do.
Osu!

[tsurugi]

Here is Christian Buffaloe featured in the September issue of "WORLD KARATE" magazine in Japan. Christian won the youth division at this year's "All American Open Kyokushin Championships" in New York last June.

The Japanese caption reads, "From the small body of this youth competitor comes the beautiful technique of Jodan Mawashi Geri(High Round Kick)". Osu!

Read more: knockdownfighters.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=discussion&thread=745&page=1#ixzz290aOISVv

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[powerof0ne]

Exalt Tsurugi, thank you
Osu!

[hokuto12]

When I have kids in the future this is what I want to do with them. Train them in MA but also let them go to a dojo and train as well.

[MMX]

That is amazing! Osu!

[tsurugi]

Oct 11, 2012 16:20:08 GMT -5 hokuto12 said:

When I have kids in the future this is what I want to do with them. Train them in MA but also let them go to a dojo and train as well.

I think that they do not have access to a Kyokushin Dojo in North Carolina. It seems that this is the only way that Kenny Buffaloe can train his son at all, the hard way.

Here is a video of a T.V. segment from two years ago showing their training in an old barn that was converted into a small training facility out in the country. You can't get more "old school traditional" than that. Osu!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBiXacSBfEw

[kyokanrik]

www.hendersondispatch.com/sports/tricounty/x1550125418/Buffaloe-wins-All-American-Open

Christian Buffaloe recently competed in the All-American Open International Karate Championships in New York, where he earned 1st place. Christian was presented the 1st place trophy by Kancho Matsui, and also now qualifies for the International Kyokushin Youth Championships in Tokyo, Japan next year.

Below is the story from a local news source:






Buffaloe wins All-American Open
Jul. 05, 2014 @ 04:54 PM
THE DISPATCH STAFF


Christian Buffaloe placed first last month in the teen division of the All-American Open International Karate Championships in New York.

The 14-year-old Warren County native also qualified for the International Kyokushin Youth Championships next spring in Tokyo, marking his third entry in the competition since 2011.

Christian’s father and coach, Kenny Buffaloe, wrote in an email to The Dispatch, “I told him before the tournament to make a good showing of himself, win, lose, or draw and to fight with his spirit. I am very proud of the way he fought against much larger and experienced world level Kyokushin competitors.”

“We are very grateful to the Kyokushin organization and officials for making these wonderful opportunities possible,” added Kenny Buffaloe. “We are also humbled by these great experiences.”

Christian Buffaloe avenged a close semifinals loss last year to Vladislav Amirov of Russia. The two met in the semifinals again with Christian Buffaloe prevailing this time against the larger opponent to set up a finals match against a Japanese competitor.

Christian Buffaloe used a “fierce punching attack” to edge Kento Odria after an “intense and spirited round.”

The prestigious annual event, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, featured fighters from around the world. Competitors are only allowed entry after being evaluated by top officials in the Kyokushin organization based on fighting ability.










Osu!

[gimptron]

Congrats to him. Hope he does well in Tokyo.

[shugyo]

Congrats to Christian!!