TIKK NEWS - Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai

TIKK NEWS
Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai
Spring 2013
“We will be like a fine tuned
machine with great self esteem
in 2013”
Perfecting Character Since 1991
Flood rocks dojo, sparks move to new location
A Feb.1 flood at TIKK’s headquarters dojo in Coppell left it in temporary space and in chaos for six weeks.
By LAURA MURRAY
Ni Dan
O
verflowing toilets
the spark Texas
Karate Kai needed to
with plans to relocate
were just
Isshinryu
move on
the main
(See DOJO FLOOD, page 6-9)
Inside
A dumpster took over Kyoshi’s parking spot during the restoration.
Kyoshi’s Corner……...…….….2
Summer Shiai………………….4
Winter Shiai……………….…10
Know Your Black Belts……...15
Senseis’ Corner……..……......16
Page 2
TIKK NEWS
sPRING 2013
KYOSHI’S corner
Calendar
Make it happen
April 15............................................ Mrs. Laura Murray’s Birthday
April 22.............................................. Mr. Jovi Espinosa’s Birthday
April 25............................................ Mr. Johannes Kroll’s Birthday
May 1................................................ Mr. Steve Pergantis’ Birthday
May 4................................................ Sensei Susan Harris’ Birthday
May 11........................................ Sensei Tommy Thomas’ Birthday
May 18................................... Mrs. Jennifer Wiederkehr’s Birthday
May 19.............................................. Mr. Dan Melendez’s Birthday
May 24........................................... Sensei Jeannie Rupp’s Birthday
June 15................................................ Sensei Carol Gue’s Birthday
June 30...............................................Mr. Shane Murray’s Birthday
July 11-13 ................... IWKA World Championships, Akron, Ohio
July 16 ........................................... Mr. Allan Wallander’s Birthday
July 22 ........................... Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen’s 65th Birthday
July 26-27 ............................. IHOF Tournament, Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Aug. 5 ................................................. Mr. Tyler Murray’s Birthday
Aug. 8 .................................................... Mr. Steve Kroll’s Birthday
Aug. 18 ............................................... Mr. Caleb Clarke’s Birthday
Aug. 24 ............................................. Summer Shiai, Location TBA
There are those who think they know
what’s happening.
Those who watch what’s happening.
Those who don’t know what’s happening.
Those who don’t care what’s happening.
And those who make things happen.
You choose!
I choose to make it happen!
—Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen
NEW STUDENTS
Sept. 1 ............ Julian Evangelista, Coppell
Sept. 4 ....................... Jair Aguilar, Denton
Sept. 11 .................. Jennifer Stokes, Denia
Sept. 13 ......................... Caleb Ison, Plano
Sept. 14 ................. Andi Hawkins, Denton
Sept. 15 ............... Ilya Kavalyova, Coppell
Sept. 15 ....... Olekrando Kavalova,Coppell
Sept. 15 .............. Daria Kavalova, Coppell
Sept. 24 .................Reese Baker, Granbury
Sept. 24 .................. Ryan Baker, Granbury
Sept. 28 ................... Luis Banuelos, Denia
Oct. 12 .......................Ira Simpao, Coppell
Nov. 8 ................... Gaby Simpao, Coppell
Nov. 15 ......... London Woolridge, Coppell
Nov. 15 ................... Liam Gibson, Denton
Nov. 15 ............... Hannah Rollins, Denton
Nov. 15 ........... Mathew Redmond, Denton
Nov. 15 ............. Wesley McNabb, Denton
Nov. 15 ................. Ryan McNabb, Denton
Nov. 26 .......... Lorenzo Ahumado, Aubrey
Dec. 1......................... Sue Ruffer, Coppell
Dec. 3 ........................Tessa Jones, Denton
Jan. 3 ................ Dhriti Rajkamur, Coppell
Jan. 10 ............... Brian Pokluda, Granbury
Jan. 12 ..............Beth Evangelista, Coppell
Jan. 12 ..................Jacob Schottle, Coppell
Jan. 14 ................ Carter Martin, Granbury
Jan. 14 .........Gason Montellano, Granbury
Jan. 23 .............. Cameron Cook, Rockwall
Jan. 29 .......................Amber Foote, Denia
Jan. 29 ......................... Jason Foote, Denia
Jan. 29 ........................ Abby Cook, Denia
Feb. 2..................... Yuan Paulino, Coppell
Feb. 2........... Michael Tziovannis, Coppell
Feb. 2..................... Natalie Duteil, Denton
Feb. 11 ................... Leon Lopez, Granbury
Feb. 11 ............... Paulina Lopez, Granbury
Feb. 20 ................... Chris Jones, Rockwall
March 4 ............... Dwayne Miller, Aubrey
March 4 ................ Connor Miller, Aubrey
March 5 ......................... Emily Orr, Denia
March 5 ................... Alex Moraska, Denia
March 5 ................... Sean Moraska, Denia
March 5 ................ Angelica Rivera, Denia
March 5 ..................... Cade Knavel, Denia
March 5 ................... Camm Knavel, Denia
March 5 ....................... Dylan Lyon, Denia
March 5 .................Kolton Narayan, Denia
March 5 ............. Kreek Underwood, Denia
March 5 ..........Luisanthony Zepeda, Denia
March 11 .............. Cody Freeman, Aubrey
March 14 ........ Anthony Wilson, Granbury
March 18 ......... Caden Shattuck, Granbury
March 18 ........... Rylee Hendrix, Granbury
March 18 ..... Antonio Castrejon, Granbury
March 18 ......... Taylor Milligan, Granbury
March 18 ......... Trevor Milligan, Granbury
March 18 ........ Christian Daigle, Granbury
March 18 ........... Montana York, Granbury
March 21 ......... Jack Hernandez, Granbury
March 21 ....... Denise Gutierrez, Granbury
March 21 ......... Kaytlynn Erwin, Granbury
TIKK NEWS
TIKK NEWS is published periodically by
karateka 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
Ni Dan Laura Murray
Coppell Dojo (Main)
1203 Crestside, Suite 230
Coppell, TX 75019
(817)491-1130
Visit us on the web: www.txikk.com
Aubrey
All About Fitness
(940)390-0192
Denton
Brickhouse Gym & Denia Rec. Center
(940)390-0192
Granbury
YMCA
(214)923-1924
Plano
University of Gymnastics
(469)688-4732
Rockwall
Eclipse Fitness
(214)995-9442
Affliliated school located in Nevada
SPRING 2013
TIKK NEWS
Page 3
YOUTH CORNER
P
urple belt Kason Chesky
competed in his first 5K in
December and placed first in his
age division during his school's
Santa Fun Run, which is an annual fundraising event for the fifth
grade field trip.
In addition, Kason's aboriginal artwork
was chosen
to be exhibited at the
Denton ISD
central
building
and
then
the Denton
Senior Center. He was
honored as
Kason Chesky
very
few
students were selected from his
school.
Brown belt Deanna Rupp, a
sophomore at Granbury High
School, was the Wardrobe in her
school's performance of "The
Beauty and the Beast" Feb. 8-10.
Kyoshi Shihan and Renshi
Shihan Kristensen attended a Sunday matinee of the play and said
they were
so
impressed
with
the
quality of
the
performance
as it was as
good
as
some of the
B r o ad wa y
shows they
Deanna Rupp
have seen.
Sho Dan Johannes Kroll, a
senior at Lloyd V. Berkner High
School in Richardson, earned
third chair out of 10 double basses
in the Region 3 All-Region Orchestra in October.
Mr. Kroll, who has been
playing the double bass about 1
1/2 years, was only given the music for the tryouts three weeks
ahead of time and he managed to
beat out his school's top seated
bass player, who has been playing
about six years, Mr. Steve Kroll
said.
The younger Kroll was able
to learn the piece without much
help from his teacher and then
had the poise not to shudder under
pressure, Mr. Steve Kroll said,
adding that ability may have been
something he learned in karate.
Sho Dan Shane Murray
earned a spot in the Texas AllState Band
on
tenor
trombone
after a series
of
auditions
held
November
through
January.
At his
final audition on Feb.
Mr. Shane Murray
13 in San
Antonio, he earned 9th chair out
of the 28 tenor trombones that
made the All-State Band and he
was placed in the Texas All-State
Philharmonic Orchestra. He rehearsed with the orchestra for
three days before concluding the
All-State clinic with a concert
Feb. 16.
Sho Dan Tyler Murray
made the Dean's List for the fall
semester at Belmont University in
Nashville, Tenn. where he is a
junior studying audio-engineering
technology and music business.
Ni Dan Chuck Blommaert
graduated Dec. 15 from the University of
N o r t h
Texas with
a
Bachelor’s
of
Arts in anthropology
and a minor
in criminal
justice. He
is currently
searching
Mr. Chuck
for a job as
Blommaert
a
police
officer or fire fighter.
Ni Dan Kyle Murray graduated Dec. 15 from Baylor University with a Bachelor's of Business
Administration in economics. He
is working as a medical economics analyst for Web TPA in Irving.
He wore a special cord at
graduation for earning membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa
leadership honor society because
he started and led the Baylor Isshinryu Karate Club on campus
when
he
was a student.
T h e
big news
now is that
he is engaged
to
purple belt
G r a c e
Kennedy,
who is a
Mr. Kyle Murray
senior at
& Grace Kennedy
the University of Texas at Arlington. A
June 2014 wedding is being
planned.
Page 4
TIKK NEWS
SPRING 2013
Patience pays off as Wallander earns black belt
By LAURA MURRAY
Ni Dan
F
or Allan Wallander, the part
in the "Dojo Kun" about continuing your training with patience is something he had to take
to heart.
If someone had told him
when he first started training at
Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai in
2002 that it would take more than
two-thirds of his life to earn a full
-fledged black belt, like many
kids his age he probably would
have quit.
But he didn't. The then fiveyear-old continued his training
with patience, and with the encouragement and support of his
family.
In August 2012 at the age of
16, he became the fourth student
in TIKK's 21-year history to progress through all the ranks with
his promotion to sho dan. He
earned his junior black belt, or
sho dan ho, in April 2010.
Mr. Wallander was promoted at the Summer Shiai held
Aug. 25 at the Denton VFW after
a week of intensive testing. Several black belts commented how
Mr. Wallander was incredibly
focused during his testing and was
able to do some amazing things.
Earning his sho dan at TIKK
was truly a milestone for Mr.
Wallander. "It means all of the
hard work and the years I spent
going every week was worth it
and it also means that my training
has just begun," he said.
His karate training has
helped him in all areas of his life.
"I'm more focused than most kids
my age, I have better self control
and karate helped me in sports as
well," Mr. Wallander said. "I was
well balanced in all areas."
Kyoshi Shihan awards Allan Wallander his black belt at the shiai.
Sho Dans Chuck Blommaert,
left, and Andrew Black bust
through two blocks before being named ni dans at the shiai.
Another highlight at the
shiai was the promotions of Mr.
Andrew Black and Mr. Chuck
Blommaert to ni dan.
Albert Solares earned his ni
kyu, or the second level in brown
belt, and Nicole Van Winkle entered the brown belt ranks with
her promotion to san kyu.
Moving to purple belt were
Alexander Guardado, Kason
Chesky, Colleen Clarke and Trey
Dickey. New green belts were
Julian Chavez and Joachim Kroll.
Earning yellow belts were
Mark Vasquez, Camille Davis,
Logan Moser, Sam White, Jake
Wesson and Carter McKay.
SPRING 2013
TIKK NEWS
Page 5
Delight in the day at Summer Shiai...
Puttin’ on the stripes.
A proud Mrs. Dianne Van Winkle congratulates daughter Nicole.
Mann-Ning Li, Kaylee Bordeaux and Charlotte
Warrick enjoy moment with Denton teachers.
Joachim Kroll busts board before his promotion.
Yellow belts perform at shiai and, later, yellow belt Jack Belcher enjoys a dip in the VFW pool.
Page 6
TIKK NEWS
sPRING 2013
Dojo flood...
(From Page 1)
dojo to a new, more visible location.
Nine years ago, TIKK's
move to a new location was the
result of the sale of the building
after the owner was killed in a
motorcycle accident.
Plans for the move in 2013
got into full gear after toilets
throughout the building where the
Coppell dojo is located overflowed simultaneously and
flooded the dojo, leaving it in
chaos for weeks and damaging the
mats valued at more than $4,000.
It all started Feb. 1 when
Sho Dan Jovi Espinosa had heard
that Melva Smith's dance studio
next door to TIKK had suffered
flood damage and he called Ni
Dan Laura Murray, who lives in
Coppell, to check it out.
TIKK mats dry out in the temporary suite after the flood.
Mrs. Murray found that
about 90 percent of the dojo floor
had suffered damage sometime
between Thursday evening when
TIKK last had a class and Friday
morning.
This
happened just days
after Kyoshi Shihan
Kristensen
had returned from
New York where
he had hip resurfacing surgery
and was trying to
rehab and recover.
TIKK students immediately
came to the rescue, and more
than a half dozen
brown belts and
black belts came
to move TIKK
possessions out of
the wet confines
on Friday night.
Then on Saturday morning,
when a brown belt
Rob Casale, Nicole Van Winkle, Aisha Espinosa workout was already scheduled,
and Mr.Steve Kroll dismantle the entry display.
about 20 brown belts and black
belts worked to move all items on
the floor into empty space in the
suite next door, which was now
dry as it did not have carpet or
objects on the floor to collect and
absorb the water.
The stench from the wet,
dirty carpets became rancid as
TIKK students continued with
classes the next week on Tuesday.
Then on Wednesday the recovery
company hired by the property
management company tore out
the carpets.
The karate mats, which students raised money to buy more
than 15 years ago, sat upside
down in the temporary space as
they dried.
The Shoman sat perched on
a step ladder.
By Friday, the restoration
company found that the water had
moved up the walls three feet and
decided all of the sheet rock had
to be torn out up to four feet in
height.
This meant a complete vacating of the dojo, including all of
(See,DOJO FLOOD, next page)
SPRING 2013
Black belt Mr. Joey Marcella
TIKK NEWS
White belt Sue Ruffer
Page 7
Brown belt Adam Wallander
Sensei Tommy Thomas leads the Saturday class in temporary quarters after the flood.
Dojo flood...
(From Page 6)
the hundreds of plaques and pictures that line the walls of the
dojo. The restoration company
started the process by moving
many plaques and pictures into
yet another suite across the
breezeway.
On Sunday, about a dozen
students came to help move the
remaining items out of the dojo
into the temporary space. Now
TIKK belongings were spread out
through three different suites.
Finally, after much training
with patience, TIKK students
were able to return March 14 to
the freshly painted and newly
carpeted dojo for its first class
since the flood.
Discussions about moving
the main dojo to a more visible
location have gone on for several
years and Kyoshi and Renshi Shihan Kristensen took the recent
disaster as a sign that it was time
to make a move.
They have been exploring
options and are considering the
purchase of a stand-alone building
to house the main dojo.
As of press time, the exact
timeline for relocating the main
dojo had not been determined.
PAGE 8
TIKK NEWS
SPRING 2013
Dojo Flood
of 2013
Kyoshi reviews the slow progress of reconstruction nearly
five weeks after flood March 9.
Post Flood Day 1: Feb. 1
Sensei Tommy Thomas and Sho Dan Luke Hutchison work amidst the chaos of
Post Flood Day 8: Feb. 8
spring 2013
TIKK NEWS
Page 9
…Home again
reconstruction.
Brown belts L.B. Herbert and Rob Casale,
above, and Maggie Butterfield, left in lower
photo, move cleaned items back into refurbished dojo on March 15.
Ni Dan Andrew Black could not be happier to return to classes at the the refurbished space of the Coppell dojo on
March 14 after six weeks.
Post Flood Day 42: March 14
Page 10
TIKK NEWS
sSPRING 2013
Five persevere way into TIKK black belt ranks
Earning the rank of sho dan at the Winter Shiai were, from left, Dan Melendez, Steve Pergantis, Caleb
Clarke and Kelli Kleppinger. Ethan Shah, below, was named TIKK’s seventh junior black belt.
By LAURA MURRAY
Ni Dan
F
ive ik kyus found their way to
the black belt ranks at Texas
Isshinryu Karate Kai as the year's
promotions wrapped up at the
Winter Shiai Dec. 1.
Dan Melendez, Steve Pergantis, Caleb Clarke and Kelli
Kleppinger all were promoted to
sho dan while then 13-year-old
Ethan Shah became the seventh
student in TIKK's 21 years to earn
sho dan ho, or junior black belt.
The five endured an intense
week of testing after training at
TIKK anywhere from six to 10
years. Mr. Shah will be eligible to
test for sho dan when he becomes
16 in two years.
The shiai, which was held at
the refurbished VFW Post in
Lewisville, featured a tournament
for all of the kyu ranks to compete
in. For many, it was their first
tournament ever.
Another highlight was Andrew Freeman earning his way
into the brown belt ranks with his
promotion to san kyu.
Moving to purple belt were
Rory Allison, Julian Paulino, Lauren Schneider and Mark Schneider
while those earning blue belts
were Joshua Wiederkehr and
Robert Duteil Jr.
New green belts were Adriana Velez, Neha Rajkumar, Jared
Wiederkehr, Luis Velez, Rebecca
Stebbins, Julian Chavez, Mathew
Pagano, Christopher Tziovannis,
Brett Roth and Jack Belcher.
Earning yellow belts were
Brynn Pergantis, Bryan "BJ"
McSpadden, Ethan Stokes, Andrew Pfeiffer, Sam White and
Robert Pfeiffer.
Nathan Ellsworth was promoted to blue belt at a Saturday
class in Coppell following the
shiai.
SSPRING 2013
TIKK NEWS
Page 11
Taking first step key to life-changing journey
By STEVE PERGANTIS
Sho Dan
I
came to Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai in 2003,
weighing 325 pounds and certainly in horrible
shape; my blood pressure was off the charts, and I
could barely climb a set of stairs.
It didn’t take a lot of wisdom to know that I was
on a bad path, and my life had to change.
My son Jack had started classes at the Richardson dojo, and quite often I was
driving him to class and just
watching. It took a little prodding,
but pretty soon I figured that I
should be doing something besides sitting there like a lump.
I had obviously perfected
“lumping,” so maybe it was time
to try something new? At that
point, my life changed, because I
took the first step.
At first, it wasn't what I expected; it was more like learning
how to walk. I wanted to break
boards, and do flying-spinning
back kicks. I questioned myself
“what’s with this basic stuff,” but
pushed on, determined to conquer them in a week.
After a couple of weeks, my gi arrived, and I
thought I looked like "The Michelin Man." Ten years
later, I’m still trying to conquer my basics, and a lot of
other things.
After such a humble beginning, I had nowhere to
go but up. Slowly, methodically, I learned some shobu
techniques, more kata, some throws. At times, I was
frustrated by some of the repetition, and what I
thought was lack of progress.
Always, in the back of my mind, I knew that the
senseis were very knowledgeable and knew the process, knew what they were doing with me. Then something miraculous happened, I lost 5-10 pounds. It wasn’t fast and it wasn’t very noticeable, but I was making some progress.
I remember climbing some stairs that had previously challenged me, and it was much easier. It may
not seem like much, but these small victories gave me
motivation to try harder.
The years and ranks passed slowly, life has a
way of self-regulating, and I stalled in my training a
few times. However, as we say in Dojo Kun,
“Continue your training with patience.”
So I stuck with it the best I could through the
hard times, and remembered that Kyoshi frequently
told me to do the best I could, and to come whenever I
could, and that “some training is better than no training.” Many answers, to life’s challenges were found
on the dojo floor.
Surprisingly, I made green belt, and then purple
belt. Suddenly it kicked in, I might actually be able to
someday, somehow wear that black obi? Was it really
possible? But there was still a small mountain to
climb, the brown belt ranks.
Being a brown belt is much
like being in high school: you’re
expected to learn more, learn
faster and act like a higher rank.
Playtime was over, and it was
time to get serious...very, very
serious.
The brown belt is where
you learn the higher kata like
Kusanku and Sunsu, multiple
attack routines and a LOT of time
is spent refining your previously
‘good’ kata. Conditioning is also
kicked up a notch, a BIG notch.
Testing for black belt is an
individual experience. Kyoshi has said that if you
haven’t done it, you wouldn’t understand it, and I’m
in total agreement with that. But when that’s over, you
haven’t arrived at your destination; it’s not where my
training ends, but where a new chapter begins.
In many ways, you’re a white belt all over again,
but it was certainly a benchmark in my life.
What had started with such humble beginnings
has now become a lifestyle. My daughter Brynn was
recently promoted to yellow belt and my girlfriend
Sue (Ruffer) also has joined the TIKK family.
I should emphasize that word FAMILY in capital letters because the kai has always been there for us
publicly and privately.
Whenever your journey through the martial arts
begins, keep in mind that it won’t always be easy. It
would not be so valuable without a little sweat equity,
and a few sore muscles.
However, every journey begins with that first
step, and if you keep your focus you can “continue
your training with patience” and achieve your goals,
and so much more.
PAGE 12
TIKK NEWS
SPRING 2013
Finding dragon within not just saying during testing
Mr. (Joey) Marcella came in and found me, crying. I
don’t remember everything he said now; it was very
comforting and inspirational.
All I remember was him looking into my eyes
and calling my dragon by name. Yes, my dragon has a
e hear throughout our training about the dragon
name and somehow he knew her name. She was burwithin, the strength that lies within us. We see
ied under years of marriage (and divorce) and motherthe dragon on our patches and
hood, years of being everyeverywhere we look in the dojo.
thing to everyone.
When I was asked to test
She was there all along
for black belt in November, I
giving me the strength to do
thought I had an understanding
everything that needed to be
of how to access that inner
done, she would surface from
strength. To some extent my
time to time but then quickly
years of classical ballet training
retreat again. Testing for sho
did teach me about inner
dan brought her to the surface,
strength, about keeping going
made her accessible to me.
despite pain and fatigue, after
Every time I felt I could
all the show must go on.
not go on after that pep-talk, I
But, testing for black belt
would call her by name and
at Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai
she responded by giving me
takes you far beyond the show
the strength to do one more
must go on.
round, do one more kata as
I think it only natural that
strong as I could, to keep gowe question ourselves during
ing despite my legs not wanttesting. Do I really want to do
ing to hold me up, to breathe,
this? Why am I putting myself Kelli Kleppinger breaks a concrete block
to focus.
through this? You don’t have to before being named a sho dan.
Yes, my dragon has a
do this, you know?
name and I look forward to
For me at one point during that week it became a
years of getting to know her through my training at
case of “I can’t do this! I don’t have the strength or
TIKK. Maybe your dragon has a name, too.
the will to continue.”
Find your dragon and you’ll be amazed at what
I was in my room crying, got dressed for class,
the two of you can do together.
couldn’t stop crying, sitting on the floor still crying.
By KELLI KLEPPINGER
Sho Dan
W
Yellow belt sees attributes of studying martial arts
T
here is a difference between
“karate” and “martial arts.”
Often times, I think, people
tend to forget that. The most obvious example I can give is when a
really young kid says, “I’m a
black belt.”
In my opinion, people do not
realize that one does not get a
high rank just by showing off
some fancy spinning kicks and
punches. There is a discipline that
comes with it.
Martial arts has impacted
my life more in one year than any
other activity, not only in the
dojo, but outside as well. Patience
is one quality I have definitely
gained from karate that I did not
have before.
Things and people that bothered me before suddenly don’t
seem so irritating if I stop to think
about it.
Then there are the physical
advantages of training with
TIKK. Last year, I could do
maybe 13 push ups and ten laps
around a gymnasium before I got
tired. This year, I max out on my
school’s fitness testing, and I am
much more in shape, which leads
to a much healthier lifestyle.
My goal is to continue training for as long as possible, and
perfect my character along the
way.
—Brynn Pergantis
Yellow Belt
SPRING 2013
TIKK NEWS
PAGE 13
Kyoshi responds well to hip resurfacing surgery in NY
By LAURA MURRAY
Ni Dan
"Gentlemen, we can rebuild
him. We have the technology. We
have the capability to build the
world's first bionic man. Steve
Austin will be that man. Better
than he was before. Better,
stronger, faster."
K
yoshi Shihan Kristensen
may not be the "bionic
man," but he is hoping he will be
better than he was before—both
stronger and faster, and more
flexible.
After years of leading a very
active lifestyle, Kyoshi's nearly 65
-year-old hip was simply starting
to wear out and it was greatly
limiting his range of motion and
flexibility, causing him much pain
as he tried to continue his active
karate lifestyle.
Lucky for him, modern technology allowed him to re-surface
his hip rather than replace it, and
unlike Steve Austin, it did not
cost him $6 million to do it.
On Jan. 19, Dr. Edwin Su
performed the Birmingham hip
resurfacing surgery on Kyoshi at
the Hospital for Special Surgery
in New York City. Dr. Su is one
of the most experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the U.S. and
did one of the first such procedures in the U.S. after it was approved by the Food and Drug
Administration in 2006.
Kyoshi and Renshi Shihan
Kristensen returned to Texas Jan.
27 after spending nearly two
weeks in New York for pre-op,
surgery and initial recovery and
rehabilitation.
A few weeks after the surgery, Kyoshi said he was very
Kyoshi Shihan and Renshi Shihan Kristensen enjoy a fruit basket
from Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai after his surgery in New York.
pleased with how the surgery
turned out, although he was still
working to get back his full range
of motion.
He said he was told that by
three months after the surgery he
would be able to put on his shoes
and socks. By four months postop, he should have 85 percent of
his range of motion and then by
six months, he should be back at
100 percent.
As Texas Isshinryu Karate
Kai students would expect him to
do, Kyoshi returned to class just
two days after he returned to
Texas, and it has taken him little
time to bounce back.
By 3 1/2 weeks post surgery,
he could be seen leading the
morning class through all of the
katas, although not with hard,
snap kicks. By five weeks, he was
bowling strikes at the Bowl-AThon and by 5 1/2 weeks, he was
doing kicks in class.
Kyoshi said he is looking
forward to the day he is able to do
the lunge on the ground move in
Kusanku kata.
During his New York stay,
Kyoshi said he enjoyed visits
from many of his East Coast
friends, including Renshi Karl
Sidnam, Kyoshi Marvin Carmona
and Sensei Kelly Carmona. He
said he appreciated all of the calls,
cards and gifts.
TIKK opens
Rockwall dojo
A
new Texas Isshinryu Karate
Kai dojo, being led by Sensei Susan Harris, opened in Rockwall in January at the Eclipse Fitness, 201 E. I-30.
Classes are held 7:30-8:45
p.m. Mondays and 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Wednesdays. For more information on classes in Rockwall, call
(214) 995-9442.
PAGE 14
TIKK NEWS
Spring 2013
Students and instructors gather for TIKK’s first Junior Gasshuku held in Denton’s Brickhouse Gym.
55 students attend TIKK’s first Junior Gasshuku March 23
By LAURA MURRAY
Ni Dan
F
ifty-five juniors attended Texas Isshinryu Karate
Kai's first Junior Gasshuku held March 23 at the
Brickhouse Gym in Denton.
Students ranging in age from six to 12 and in
rank from white belt to purple belt and from all of
TIKK's dojos participated in a variety of activities for
a full day of training and fun.
"The Junior Gasshuku was a great success," said
Sensei Tina Palos. "Everyone had fun, no one got hurt
and, most importantly, the students had fun doing karate. They got to work with all the senseis and assistant instructors and they got to balance hard work with
creativity, fun and rewards."
The idea for a one-day Junior Gasshuku evolved
after hearing Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen's experience
of having a kids' camp when he was in New Jersey.
The one-day event would give students something special they could do as they cannot attend the
senior Gasshuku due to age/rank. A practice tournament, team-building exercises like the balance beam,
tug of war and relays and skits were on the agenda as
well as a pizza party and prizes.
About half of TIKK's black belts who directly
work with junior students in classes helped to organize and run the Junior Gasshuku.
"The senseis and instructors had fun coming
together to run an event by ourselves instead of Kyoshi being in charge," Sensei Palos said.
In addition, several parent volunteers were helpful in making the event run smoothly, from shuttling
kids to the bathroom to helping with clean up during
the day to picking up 20 boxes of pizza to dispersing
prizes, pizza and water.
Brown belts Steve Sumners and Albert Solares
helped with some last-minute needs even though organizers were not trying to involve the brown belts.
Sho Dan Jovi Espinosa provided the black belts with a
homemade hot lunch.
Sensei Palos said she really appreciated Brickhouse Gym owner Mike Jones allowing the event to
be held at his gym and being flexible since it rained
off and on.
The Junior Gasshuku is definitely an example of
The 16th annual senior Gasshuku
will be held April 12-14
at Camp Summit in Copper Canyon.
Theme: “Make It Happen
Spring Shiai: 2:30 p.m. April 14
the dojo saying "No one of us is as strong as all of us,"
she said. "This only happened because everyone came
together—senseis, instructors, students, parents,
spouses, family and friends."
In addition, Kyoshi and Renshi set the example
that made this event possible, Sensei Palos said. "We
have all observed their teachings and efforts over the
years we have had of being their students. Say well is
good, do well is better!"
SPRING 2013
TIKK NEWS
Page 15
KNOW YOUR BLACK BELTS
Mrs. Tracy Dickey
KARATE
Rank: Ni-Dan.
I first started doing karate on:
June 3, 2003.
I first started doing karate because: when I was little, I always
wanted to do a sport so my first
opportunity came after I had Trey.
Carson started first than I started
six months later. Mr. (Steve) Pergantis introduced us to Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai.
The thing that has kept me doing karate has been: it's become
part of my life, the people, the
exercise and the discipline.
I achieved my sho dan on:
March 29, 2009.
My favorite kata is: Sunsu.
My favorite karate drill is: any
drill that I am winning.
My least favorite karate drill is:
the one I am not winning.
The one thing Shihan has
taught me that has had the most
impact on my life is: discipline,
perseverance, confidence and a
positive attitude .
To me, karate is: in my heart and
my way of life.
My most memorable karate
experience is: making sho dan.
My goal in karate this year is:
sharing my love for karate with
others.
W
PERSONAL
Nickname: When I was little, my
last name was Tuma so the mean
kids called me Tuna or Tuba. Just
for the record, I was not overweight.
Birth date and place: March 22,
1961 in Elmira, New York.
Occupation (outside of karate):
mom, granny and business owner.
Family: husband, Kurt, three
boys, Chris, Carson and Trey.
Future daughter, Krystal. Grand
kids: Kaleigh, Tristen and
Keegan.
I live in: Murphy.
My favorite pastime or hobby
besides karate is: watching high
school baseball games and swim
meets.
The three words people use to
describe me are: organized, multitasker and friendly.
The two people I’d most like to
meet are: besides Jesus, Ronald
Reagan and Shihan Dale Jenkins.
I wish I knew how to: shoot a
gun.
I’m most proud of: being and
wife, mom and granny.
My favorite restaurant is: on
date night, Steve Fields and just
for fun, Fuzzy's.
The best vacation I’ve ever had
was: last summer when Kurt and
I took our first honeymoon after
20 years to Palm Beach, Florida.
My goal in life this year is to: 1.
Pay it forward, help others in
need. 2. Be a good friend. 3. Be
the best wife. 4. Be a great mom.
5. Be a loving granny.
Zen-ryo-ku: “All One’s Effort” can lead to success
hat does “All One’s Effort” really mean?
As with most things, that
depends on you. In general, I do
not know anyone that gives that
all the time. That’s a big order
and basically impossible to do.
Olympic athletes have probably
done that as much or more than
anyone.
That being said, however, we should strive as karate
students to honor ourselves, our
teacher(s) and those who have
gone before us. One way to do
that is to do our best as we do our
basics, drills, katas and kumite.
You don’t have to have
every move down perfectly as that
wi l l t a k e a l i fe t i me t o
achieve. Start with something that
you know you can improve on. As
an example, do your basics as
though you have an attacker in
front of you and you have to protect yourself. Pay attention to
your punches, your kicks and
your stances.
If you are strong in your
basics, you will be stronger in
your defense, and your katas.
—Ni Dan Mike Harper
Page 16
TIKK NEWS
SPRING 2013
Senseis’ corner
W
hat does it mean, when we say, "Take care of
your health" in our Dojo Kun? Does it mean,
eat right, exercise/train carefully, take vitamins?
However you define it, it needs to be taken seriously. For what you do today will have
"consequences" tomorrow.
So "Take care of your health" today and every
day, so you can be strong tomorrow.
—Sensei Carol Gue
G
ive new energy, new effort, new commitment
and determination to this year. We have the good
fortune to be free and here on earth to make choices.
The future is yours—what you make of it, give more
than you receive, make a difference in someone else's
life. That is success.
—Sensei Susan Harris
I
just love great quotes so here goes: “You cannot
live a perfect day without doing something for
someone who will never be able to repay you.”
—John Wooden
"Doing crunches, and continuing to eat poorly IS
LIKE…detailing your car and continuing to drive in
the mud."
"Don’t erase your hard work in the gym by continuing to make poor choices after you leave."
—Bonnie Pfiester
—Sensei Jeannie Rupp
S
everal years back, Mrs. Sensei (Tina Palos) and I
received a special gift from Kyoshi (Shihan Kristensen) in the form of a couple of t-shirts. Written on
the front was a quote from Bruce Lee that said,
"Dedication, absolute dedication is what keeps one
ahead."
Out of all my karate t-shirts, this one is my favorite. It holds a special meaning for me. It serves to
remind me that dedication is nothing more than simply staying the path.
There is a place for dedicating time to train like
an Olympian, but for the rest us mere mortals, just
simply keeping a regular schedule and sticking to it is
more realistic. If you are consistent, rank takes care of
itself...it reflects time you have put in to your art.
Training in Isshinryu karate is a lifelong journey
for those who decide to stick with it. For any white
belts reading this, the journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step!
—Sensei Tony Palos
“A
ll glory comes from daring to begin.”
This is one of my favorite sayings in the
dojo. I think it can remind all of us not only of what it
took to start training in karate, but of the rewards we
have received from daring to begin something most of
us did not really understand in the beginning.
Do you remember the first
time you came to
class? How about
going to your first
shiai? And of
course,
wh a t
about your first
gasshuku?
Some of us
might have felt
excitement, some
of us anxiety, and
for some of us, it
took real courage
to take those first
steps into un- And how about daring to begin
reconstructing the walls?
known territory.
But I think
we can all look back after each first step and remember the feeling of having achieved something positive
and worthwhile, of having learned how to overcome
obstacles and conquer our fears, of having perfected
our characters in some small way.
This is the glory we have all earned for ourselves.
—Sensei Tina Palos
T
IKK students are the best in the land. They always are there when needed, are unselfish, kind
and strong, compassionate and dedicated.
The dojo is as strong as the people in it is a saying that comes to mind. And with the students in the
dojo, I have to say, We are a force to be reckoned with
—what a blessing!
—Renshi Shihan Kristensen
B
e the Best YOU, you can be!
To be the best YOU, you can be, one must
first be strong in spirit, for we are one with God. Mind
—think before you do something. Body—keep the
body strong. In this you can be the best YOU.
—Sensei Tommy Thomas