Spring - Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai

TIKK NEWS
Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai
Spring 2008
Perfecting Character Since 1991
Kyoshi earns 8th dan, becomes one of seven in world
By LAURA MURRAY
Ik Kyu
K
yoshi Shihan Kristensen has
become a part of an elite
group of seven in the Isshinryu
World Karate Association with
his recent promotion to hachi dan,
or 8th dan.
Hanshi William H. Duessel
promoted Shihan along with Senseis John Hughes and Marvin
Prentice on March 1. The three
new hachi dans join Senseis
Chuck Wallace, Dennis Fink,
Cyndy Jones and Al Ferens in
achieving this prestigious rank.
Shihan has been training in
the martial arts for more than 35
years. He continues his hard work
in promoting Isshinryu and has
won several awards throughout
the years recognizing his efforts,
including one last year from Master Kichiro Shimabuku at the Isshinryu World Karate Association
Kyoshi, right, thanks Hanshi Duessel for visiting Texas in February.
championship tournament in New
Jersey.
Sensei Chuck Wallace, who
earned his hachi dan in 1998 and
is Hanshi Duessel’s senior student, said Hanshi Duessel considers four areas in awarding a pro-
motion to hachi dan.
The first and foremost is that
one must continue to study and
practice the art of Isshinryu karate. “Hachi dan is a living rank,”
Sensei Wallace said. “You have
(See KYOSHI, page 9)
TIKK hosts traditional martial arts tournament, seminar in Denton
By MICHAEL STRICKLAND
Ik Kyu
T
exas Isshinryu Karate Kai hosted the 2008 Traditional Martial Arts Winter Classic Tournament
and Seminar Feb. 2. Approximately 95 individuals
attended the seminar presented by Hanshi William H.
Duessel, 9th dan in the Isshinryu World Karate Association.
Hanshi Duessel showed simple
Shihan’s Corner……………….2
yet very effective
Winter Shiai.....…………….….4
body shifting folTIKK celebrations….....…….....9
lowed by blockWhat’s important?…….…...…10
and-counter techKnow Your Black Belts……...11
(See TIKK, page 6)
Inside
Hanshi William H. Duessel, right, demonstrates a
technique with San Dan Matt Evans at the seminar held before the tournament in Denton.
Page 2
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2008
Shihan’s corner
I
f only I had the time! Something everybody says.
The fact is you’ll never have the time unless you
find the time, so many of us waste valuable time. If
we plan a little better, like a budget, we’ll be surprised
at how much time we do have.
I know if someone said you could have a million
dollars, you just have to pick it up at a certain time
and place, you would find the time! No matter what
things are going on in your life you would make a
plan and do it.
I never asked anybody to make karate their number one priority in life, but just simply to use it as a
tool in your life, to make life easier.
You can watch what’s happening!
You can think you know what’s happening!
Or
You can make things happen!
It is my number one priority to show the need
for your karate training in life. Some time is better
than no time. If you have a dream and work towards achieving it, you will have achieved more
than you’ve dreamed of.
LIVE YOUR DREAMS!
FIND THE TIME!
---Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen
(reprinted from TIKK newsletter, April 2000)
NEW STUDENTS
October 16 .................................... Zoe Neale, Denton
November 23....... Joshua Wiederkehr, Flower Mound
November 27............................ Isabel Daniel, Coppell
December 14 ....................Christopher Epting, Denton
January 5 ....................................... Kurt Dickey, Plano
January 5 ........................... Leslie Beth Herbert, Plano
January 7 ...................... Laura Becker, Flower Mound
January 7 .................... Daniel Becker, Flower Mound
January 16 ................................ Caitlin Roberts, Wylie
January 17 ..................... Alexander Guardado, Denton
January 19 ............................ Ommara Akram, Denton
January 19 ................................. Omar Akram, Denton
January 19 ................................ Talha, Akram, Denton
January 19 ........................... Adam Lafortune, Denton
February 5 .............................. Julian Paulino, Coppell
February 23 ............................... Alec Martinez, Wylie
March 1 .............................. Shannon Mooney, Denton
March 4 ................................... Mann-Ning Li, Denton
March 10 ........................ Ryan Elgian, Flower Mound
TIKK NEWS
TIKK NEWS is published periodically by karate-ka of
Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai, established in 1991,
and is distributed to students at all the school’s
dojos and to others interested in TIKK activities.
Publisher
Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kristensen
Editor
San Dan Matt Evans
Assistant Editor
Ik Kyu Laura Murray
Coppell Dojo (Main)
1203 Crestside, Suite 230, Coppell, TX 75019
(817)491-1130
Visit us on the web: www.txikk.com
Denton
Brickhouse Gym
(940)390-0192
Flower Mound
Flower Mound Community Church
(817)491-1130
Plano
University of Gymnastics
(817)491-1130
Southlake
Southlake Fitness Center
(817)491-1130
(940)390-0864
Wylie
Innerplay Sports Center
(469)688-4732
Spring 2008
TIKK NEWS
Page 3
Youth corner
S
ho Dan and Coppell High School Senior Kyle
Murray earned a spot in the 2008 Texas All State
Band on the bass trombone.
Mr. Murray went through a series of auditions
from regional to area tryouts. Two bass trombones
from each of Texas’ 28 regions progressed to the
seven area tryouts held in the state and only one bass
trombone from each area was selected for the Texas
All State Band.
Mr. Murray participated in the Texas Music
Educators Association clinic and concert held in San
Antonio in February. He placed second in the state for
bass trombones.
He plans to attend Baylor University or the University of North Texas in the fall and will major in
music performance.
His brothers, Sho Dan Ho Tyler Murray and Ni
Kyu Shane Murray are continuing the music tradition and did well at their respective all-region band
competitions.
Mr. Tyler Murray, a ninth grade percussionist
at CHS, won a spot in the all-region band for high
school students while Shane, a seventh grader at Coppell Middle School North, won first chair in the trombone section of the all-region band for junior high
students.
Calendar
April 3 ............................. Mr. Mike Cohen’s Birthday
April 11-13 ....11th annual Gasshuku, Copper Canyon
April 13 ......................... Spring Shiai, Copper Canyon
May 4 ........................... Sensei Susan Harris’ Birthday
May 11 ................... Sensei Tommy Thomas’ Birthday
May 21 .................Mr. Clement Caracciolo’s Birthday
May 24 ......................... Mrs. Jeannie Rupp’s Birthday
May 30 ........... Hanshi William H. Duessel’s Birthday
June 15 .............................. Mrs. Carol Gue’s Birthday
June 26 ...............................Mr.. Matt Evans’ Birthday
July 22 ................................Kyoshi Shihan’s Birthday
July 25-26 ........ Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame Tournament
................................................. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
August 5......................... Mr. Tyler Murray’s Birthday
August 23............................ Fall Shiai, Location TBA
Mr. Kyle Murray prepares for his all-state concert.
Other karate-ka reporting their accomplishments
include that of seventh grader Carson Dickey, who
was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society
Murphy Middle School chapter on March 25.
Inductees must maintain a 93 or higher average
in all their classes and must show leadership and service in their community.
Training event of the year
set for April 11-13
at Camp Summit
T
he 11th annual Gasshuku will be held April 1113 at Camp Summit in Copper Canyon.
About 60 participants are expected for the training event of the year where all aspects of Isshinryu are
covered from kata to kumite to self defense.
The Gasshuku, which is the equivalent to about
three months of training, allows senior students to
focus on themselves without as many distractions
from everyday life, said Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen.
The theme for this year’s Gasshuku is “One
Heart Way.”
Several guests are expected, including Shihan’s
longtime friend Renshi Sensei Karl Sidnam and a few
students from Nevada Isshinryu Karate Kai.
The spring shiai for juniors and seniors will follow the Gasshuku on April 13 with sign-in beginning
at 1 p.m. and the actual shiai to start at 2:30 p.m.
PAGE 4
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2008
Winter Shiai features new sensei, 2007 Karate-ka of the Year
By LAURA MURRAY
Ik Kyu
T
he Winter Shiai at the Lewisville Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post on Dec. 1 was a big
day for everyone at Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai.
They got to see the addition
of a sensei to the TIKK ranks.
They got to see who was
named the 2007 Senior Karate-ka
of the Year.
And they got to see Kyoshi
Shihan Kristensen rip through a
heaping pile of bricks—well…
because he could.
After training in Isshinryu
for more than 12 years, San Dan
Tommy Thomas was given the
prestigious title of sensei.
Sensei Thomas said he was
very excited, yet surprised when
Shihan made the announcement
that he would now be called
“Sensei.” He joins Senseis Maria
Kristensen, Susan Harris and
Tony Palos in being honored with
this title.
Shihan said it takes a certain
level of dedication to the kai and
to him to achieve this designation.
One of the many things Sensei
Thomas does is he has never
missed a kumpai following a
shiai.
And, of course, he teaches
class regularly in Coppell on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Ni Kyu Jennifer Wiederkehr
was named Senior Karate-ka of
the Year. Shihan said she set a
great example to all students with
her drive to train no matter what
the circumstances.
Wiederkehr continued to
train throughout her pregnancy
with twins and then she returned
Kyoshi Shihan announces that Mr. Thomas will now be “Sensei.”
Ni Kyu Jennifer Wiederkehr is named Senior Karate-ka of the Year.
to the dojo shortly after they were
born. She continues to find ways
to get to the dojo, and early on she
even brought the babysitter to the
dojo so she would be available
should her babies need her.
She said she did not feel she
did anything special, but she was
just trying to keep her sanity by
getting to her karate classes.
Anyone who has had young
children knows that getting out of
the house when one has five children under the age of five is no
small feat.
Another highlight was the
addition of Caleb Stanley to the
brown belt ranks with his promotion to san kyu. Ni Kyu Greg
(See WINTER SHIAI, page 5)
Spring 2008
TIKK NEWS
Page 5
Winter Shiai...
(From Page 4)
Midkiff was promoted to ik kyu,
the last rank in brown belt before
black belt.
Making ni kyu, the second
rank in brown belt, was Shane
Murray, Dakota Wilson, Taylor
Casale, Johannes Kroll and Allan
Wallander.
Other promotions include:
Purple belt
Dianne Van Winkle
Blue belt
Garrick Chavez
Green belt
Austin Gillham
McKenzie Henderson
Michael Wiederkehr
Robert Kleppinger
Yellow belt
Nicole Van Winkle
Elizabeth Kleppinger
Robert Casale
Kyoshi Shihan easily busts through five bricks at the Winter Shiai.
Left, purple belts Chance Boyd and Caleb Stanley perform a skit
with Mr. Evans while San Kyu Allan Wallander breaks the board .
PAGE 6
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2008
TIKK...
(From Page 1)
niques. Some of the techniques
were actually both block-andcounters at the same time. For
example, blocking a roundhouse
punch to the head by using an
inside roundhouse block and
strike to the attacker’s jaw.
Hanshi Duessel said it’s all
about keeping things simple and
effective. With more than 50
years of martial arts knowledge
and experience, it’s no surprise
why Hanshi Kichiro Shimabuku
calls Hanshi Duessel “Mr. Isshinryu.”
Following the seminar was a
traditional karate tournament with
about 160 competitors. There was
a lot of great competition going
on and everyone commented on
how much fun they had.
Following is how TIKK
competitors did:
TIKK Sho Dan Kent Kirkpatrick, left, competes for grand champion in kumite at
the 2008 Traditional Martial Arts Winter Classic Tournament held in February.
Black Belt Divisions
Kata
Kumite
1st
—
2nd
2nd
st
1
3rd
nd
2
1st
rd
3
2nd
rd
3
—
Susan Harris
Matt Evans
Tony Palos
Tina Palos
Carol Gue
Clement
Caracciolo
Kent Kirkpatrick
Kyle Murray
Tyler Murray
2nd
4th
1st
1st
4th
3rd
Advanced Divisions
Kata Kumite
Michael
1st
4th
Strickland
Glenn Gibbs
1st
4th
st
Margaret Myers 1
3rd
nd
Greg Midkiff
2
2nd
nd
Jennifer
2
1st
Wiederkehr
Dennis Przybyla 4th
3rd
st
Chuck
1
2nd
Blommaert
Daniel Midkiff 1st
2nd
rd
Andrew Black
3
1st
Weapons
3rd
2nd
4th
1st
4th
—
—
—
2nd
White belt
Sarahbeall
Shaffer of
the Denton
dojo performs her
kata at the
tournament
held in
Denton. She
ended up
placing third
in her division.
Spring 2008
TIKK NEWS
Sensei
Susan Harris, left, performs her
first place
kata at 2008
Traditional
Martial Arts
Winter Classic held in
Denton in
February.
Below, left,
yellow belt
Nicole Van
Winkle performs her
kata at the
tournament.
She ended
up winning
second
place in her
division.
Tracy Dickey
3rd
2nd
th
Taylor Casale
4
2nd
nd
Shane Murray
2
1st
rd
Johannes Kroll
3
4th
st
Allan Wallander 1
2nd
rd
Steve Kroll
3
2nd
nd
Ben Collins
2
4th
rd
Dean Collins
3
—
Perry Lopez
3rd
3rd
th
Jim Wallander
4
1st
Caleb Stanley
—
4th
Intermediate Divisions
Kata Kumite
Chance Boyd
2nd
1st
Mark
—
2nd
McLaughlin
Brian Tucker
4th
—
Kaci Beck
1st
4th
th
Garrett Marcella 4
—
Dianne
1st
1st
Van Winkle
Ethan Shah
2nd
1st
th
Paula Reynolds
4
4th
st
Colter Henderson 1
3rd
Page 7
Maggie
1st
4th
Butterfield
Robert Ziegler
2nd
3rd
st
David
1
1st
Van Winkle
Chris Ajayl
3rd
1st
nd
Wyndi Liles
2
3rd
rd
Ethan Tucker
3
4th
st
Haley Tucker
1
3rd
th
Patrick Grigg
4
4th
Cheryl Shaffer
—
3rd
st
Jovi Espinosa
1
4th
th
Kristie Tucker
4
4th
rd
Robert
3
2nd
Kleppinger
McKenzie
4th
—
Henderson
Beginner Divisions
Kata Kumite
Melissa Korang 3rd
—
Jack Myers
3rd
—
Adam Wallander 1st
1st
nd
Kaylie Daniel
2
—
Caitlin Boyd
3rd
4th
st
Kelly Kleppinger 1
2nd
nd
Elizabeth
2
3rd
Kleppinger
Nicole
2nd
—
Van Winkle
Michelle Shaffer 2nd
1st
rd
Robert Casale
3
4th
nd
Erik Van Winkle 2
2nd
rd
Tristan Watson 3
3rd
rd
Sarahbeall
3
—
Shaffer
Lindsey
1st
—
Brandow
Chloe Jackson
4th
1st
nd
Tristian
2
2nd
Campbell
Race Brandow
1st
—
With 75 competitors representing TIKK, we took home 126
trophies. It turned out to be a
great seminar and tournament and
we will be planning for an even
bigger and better one next year.
See next page
for more photos...
PAGE 8
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2008
TIKK champions
This photo of green belt
Maggie Butterfield accepting
her first place trophy in kata
was featured on the cover of
Plano-Murphy neighborsgo.
Below, Haley Tucker shows
her first place trophy for kata.
News in Nevada…
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sensei
Chuck Maynard retired from
teaching at Nevada Isshinryu
Karate Kai in October. Ni Kyu
Dennis Przybyla decided to
keep the school going and is
now training under Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen.
W
Nevada Isshinryu Karate Kai students back row, from left are: Erick
Soto, Chaldean Cohen, Corrina Bonham, Lucas Soto, Emily Przybyla, Tymon Dozier and Dennis Przybyla. Middle row are: Kiana
Cohen and Edward Palos. Front row, from left are: Trisha Hayes,
Eva Przybyla, Matti Fredell, Caleb Shockley and Kaylee Soto.
e had a raffle at the beginning of February for an
80GB ipod classic. Tymon Dozier
and Matti Fredell sold the most
tickets at 78. Chaldean Cohen
came in second selling 63. Lucas
Soto and Kaylee Soto sold 52
tickets while Emily Przybyla sold
50 tickets. We bought lots of
training equipment and also will
be using some of the money to
help pay for tournament fees this
year.
—Dennis Przybyla
Ni Kyu
Spring 2008
TIKK NEWS
Page 9
TIKK celebrations...
In left photo, green belt Carey Clagett and her
husband, Ryan, enjoy a moment with their new
son Owen Beale Clagett, who was born at 11:45
a.m. Nov. 17 at Baylor Medical Center in Grapevine. He weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces and was
18.5 inches long. Although he arrived early and
was small, he did not have to stay in the newborn
intensive care unit and the family was able to be
home for Thanksgiving.
In right photo, San Dan Matt Evans gives his new
daughter Milena Hope Evans a great view of her
mom, Charity Evans. Milena was born at 7:53
a.m. Nov. 1 at Centennial Hospital in Frisco
weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
She was 20 inches long.
Kyoshi...
(From Page 1)
to be doing it now. It’s not for
something you did in the past,
although it is partly for that.”
Persons making hachi dan
must be active in training to attain
and retain the level of proficiency
that is required, he said. While the
higher ranks are not required to
learn new material, they do work
to improve skills at a higher level
and new perspective, he added.
The second area considered
is whether one is continuing to
teach, Sensei Wallace said. “It’s
not enough to do it. You have to
be doing it and teaching as well…
It’s our duty to pass on our understanding of the art to our students
of all different levels.”
The third requirement is that
one must promote the art of Isshinryu and fourth, one must support the Isshinryu World Karate
Association. “Sensei Kristensen
has done very well at fulfilling
each of these requirements.” Sensei Wallace said.
Holding local tournaments
and hosting the IWKA world
championship tournament, which
Shihan did in 2003, are excellent
ways to promote the art and support the IWKA at the same time,
he said.
One of Shihan’s unique contributions to Isshinryu has been
his interaction with other martial
arts organizations. “We need to
have that dialogue so that our
style can become known not only
by the public, but by other martial
arts organizations.”
In addition, Shihan has always been supportive of IWKA
tournaments and has always recognized who Hanshi Duessel is
and was supportive of him.
Sensei Wallace is very
aware of Hanshi Duessel’s stature
in Isshinryu because he met Hanshi in 1964 at the same time he
met Master Tatsuo Shimabuku,
Isshinryu’s founder.
Sensei Wallace and Hanshi
Duessel formed the Academy of
Isshinryu Karate in Pittsburgh in
1970 and it became one of the
largest martial arts schools in the
east with 500 students.
Other factors in Shihan’s
promotion were that he had spent
a sufficient amount of time in the
preceding rank of sichi dan,
which he earned in May 2002,
and he is above the age of 55.
Now Kyoshi Shihan can
continue his work in the southwestern part of the country with a
renewed outlook. “He was highranking before, but he’s even
more now so I think it enhances
our leadership in that area and it
does reward him for a job well
done,” Sensei Wallace said.
Page 10
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2008
Deaths remind us to act on what is important in our lives
By TINA PALOS
Ni Dan
T
his past month I experienced
something odd — in about
three weeks three people in my
life suddenly died. One was a new
acquaintance, one was a coworker
and one was a friend I had known
for about 15 years.
The acquaintance was a
lady, Cheryl, who tried our class
one evening. Cheryl came from a
troubled background with more
hard knocks and personal challenges than most of us will ever
experience. However, she was
very excited about starting karate,
and obviously saw it as a new and
positive way to help herself.
Unfortunately, she overdosed on a combination of medications and alcohol one week later
and died. I don’t think Cheryl had
anyone to mourn her passing except a few acquaintances from her
present life.
The coworker, Max, was a
fellow school bus driver who I
had worked with for several
years. I knew Max enough to say
hello, but not on a personal level.
I had noticed he worked hard and
he always seemed pleasantnatured.
One Monday I came in to
work and there was a note that
Max had fallen off a ladder, hit
his head and died of a brain hemorrage the day before. He had
children, grandchildren, friends
and fellow coworkers who were
very sad he was gone.
The longtime friend was
James, our mechanic for the last
15 years. We actually found out
of his passing by reading his
obituary in the newspaper on a
Wednesday evening.
James had come in to work
Monday, felt extremely ill and
went to the hospital with his son.
A half hour later James was gone.
We went to his funeral and saw
the large group of family, friends
and associates who were there to
honor his memory.
Although I am sad at losing
these relationships, I also see it as
a reminder that we never know
what will happen to us by tomorrow. Who will remember us, and
how? Am I really investing my
time, money and energy in what’s
really important in the long run?
Sponsors
Alan D. Murray, M.D.
Paul W. Bauer, M.D.
Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgeons
Web: www.entforchildren.net
Office: 972-745-8400 (C)
972-566-2660 (D)
FAX:
972-899-3616
370 W. Hwy. 121
Suite 100
Coppell, TX 75019
7777 Forest Lane
Suite B-316
Dallas, TX 75230
A poem was found on Max’s
desk after his passing and I think
he found an excellent way to express these thoughts.
I Love Ya
One morning you will
never wake up.
Do all your friends know
you love them?
I was thinking…
I could die today, tomorrow
or next week,
and I wondered
if I had any wounds needing
to be healed, friendships that
needed rekindling
or three little words
needing to be said.
Let every one of your friends
know you love them.
Even if you think
they don’t love you back.
You would be amazed at what
those three little words
and a smile can do.
And in case God calls me home
before I see you again...
I Love Ya!!!!!!
—From the desk
of Medi “Max” Hadji Mirbaba
9/10/41-3/2/08
Spring 2008
TIKK NEWS
Page 11
KNOW YOUR BLACK BELTS
Mr. Kenton Gerald Kirkpatrick
KARATE
Rank: Sho Dan.
I first started doing
karate on: February 21,
2001.
I first started doing
karate because: I
wanted to get in better
shape.
The thing that has kept
me doing karate has
been: no matter how
bad or good of a day I’m
having, going to class
has never failed to get
me back on track. Karate helps me focus on
what I need work on to
be better martial artist
and person on a daily
basis.
I achieved my Sho Dan
on: December 2, 2006.
My favorite kata is:
Sunsu.
My favorite karate
drill is: the Ladder.
My least favorite karate drill/exercise is:
karate jumping jacks
(makes my hands itch.)
The one thing Shihan
has taught me that has
had the most impact
on my life is: life throws good
and bad things at you—Be positive through both.
To me, karate is: a way of life
because it positively affects all
areas of my life.
My most memorable karate
experience is: Black Belt testing.
My goal in karate this year is:
stay the path, do all I can to be a
better instructor and work the bo
basics.
PERSONAL
Nickname: Kent.
Birth date and place: April 17,
1961 in Ruston, Louisiana.
Occupation (outside of karate):
I have a small vending company.
Family: my wife’s name is Judy,
who I will have been married to
20 years on Nov. 25, 2008. My
cat’s name is Jasper and I have a
cockatiel named Lucky. I have
two sons, Kenton Garner
Kirkpatick, 26, who is a sergeant
in the U.S. Army and father of my
granddaughter, Chloe Alyssa
Kirkpatrick, 2. My youngest son,
Brandon
Gerald
Kirkpatrick, 24, lives in
Carrollton and works in
the computer networking
field.
I live in: Garland, Texas.
My favorite pastime or
hobby besides karate is:
bowling, playing guitar
and spending time with my
granddaughter — Chloe.
The three words people
use to describe me are:
dedicated, dependable and
punctual.
The two people I’d most
like to meet are:
Nostradamas and Albert
Einstein.
I wish I knew how to:
play lead guitar.
I’m most proud of: my
granddaughter.
My favorite restaurant
is: any good Chinese buffet.
I’m happiest when: I’m
hanging out with Chloe,
watching her discoveries.
The best vacation I’ve
ever had was when: I’ve
gone to the Gasshukus.
My goal in life this year
is to: roll with the flow
and keep a positive outlook no
matter what happens.
A Black Belt
is more than
something
you wear…
it is something
you become.
Page 12
TIKK NEWS
SPRING 2008
Senseis’ corner
F
or the past 35 years I have been training in karate.
satisfied. That is why it is so important to be consisI learned several different styles of karate before
tent in class. Not for the instructors, but for yourself.
studying Isshinryu, including Shorin-ryu and Tae
Just coming in and training will give you a sense of
Kwon Do. In 1995, I began my training in Isshinryu
accomplishment. It’s tempting just to say, “I’m tired, I
with Kyoshi Kristensen. I’ve been training at the Copthink I’ll just catch the next class.” Just say, “No!”
pell dojo where I teach classes on Tuesday, Thursday
You’ll always feel better for having made the effort.
and Saturday mornThat’s Isshinryu—the
ings.
“One Heart Way.”
I am a Vietnam
--Sensei Tony Palos
veteran. While in the
army I was awarded
RAINING
—
the Army CommendaTRAINING —
tion Medal with V for
T R AI NIN G … AND
valor and two Purple
MORE TRAINING!!
Hearts in service to
Many martial arts
my country. In 2000, I
students learn a techwas presented with
nique and want to go
the Veterans Distinon to the next techguished Honor Award
nique or the next kata
by the Universal Mar—and are always trytial Arts Hall of Fame.
ing to find something
I have consiselse. Because THEY
tently placed first in
Sensei Palos, left, congratulates Sensei Thomas for earning ALREADY GOT IT!!
kumite and have comthe sensei title following the winter shiai in December.
—They have maspeted for grand chamtered that technique
pion many times, including the IKWA 2001, 2003 and
already! — But do they really have it?
2005 championships.
You have the technique only, and only when you
I received my sho dan in 2000 and was promoted
can execute the technique quickly and effectively at
to ni dan in 2003 and san dan in December 2006.
anytime—or if it doesn't work, you can quickly and
Although I have been teaching classes, I had not
effectively switch to one that gives the desired results.
earned the right to be called “Sensei.” Having this title
So when you feel like that, ask yourself—do I
was a long-term goal of mine. A sensei is a teacher,
really have this technique? If not, be patient and pracleader and mentor. This title has to be earned by
tice such technique over and over. If and when you
showing commitment, respect, dedication, humblehave the technique, you must practice it so that you
ness, a willingness to teach, a willingness to learn, as
don't forget it. In other words, ALWAYS keep trainwell as being a good role model.
ing, training and more training!
I received the title of sensei at the shiai in De--Renshi Maria Kristensen
cember 2007. I was both pleased and very surprised
since I was not expecting it. However, Kyoshi saw
that I was ready to take on the responsibility that goes
tay the path. Life is consistency, discipline and
along with the title. Long hours of dedication and hard
believing in what you are doing. If you believe
work paid off. I want to remind everyone to set goals,
and have passion in what you do, it will never be hard
work hard towards obtaining them and wait patiently
or a burden to accomplish. Karate for me is a part of
for your hard work to pay off.
who I am, how I live my life and the decisions I make.
—Sensei TommyThomas
It goes full circle, how I handle family, work and my
own demands within myself. We don't have to like
ccording to the effort is the reward. If you praceverything we do, but you have to look at the big pictice your karate half-heartedly, guess what?
ture and the overall positive outcome of staying the
Your karate will be half-hearted. Strive to always give
path.
your best effort on the dojo floor. You’ll feel more
--Sensei Susan Harris
T
S
A