WESTERN CANADIAN KOSHIKI KARATEDO FEDERATION

Education - Community - Integrity - Cultural Exchange

TEAM CANADA REPORT

2019 trip to Japan and participation in the

2019 Koshiki Karatedo World Grand Prix.

Prepared by Kiyoshi Paul Jackman 7th Dan (head Coach)

Introduction and background:

Approximately 500 years ago in the old kingdom of Okinawa known as the RyuKyu kingdom, a Familly was selected by the King to act as protectors of a small sacred island known as Kudaka Island. From this time this family became the Kudaka family and cultivated their family martial arts then known as Kudaka ryu for several hundreds of years with practical application and training being the main emphasis. In the early part of the 1900’s the head master of the Kudaka family was Seki Kudaka pronounced in Japanese language Kori Hisataka who took his family style and combined techniques and principles he learned from other leading Okinawan masters such as Ankoh Itosu and Chotoku Kyan, and moved to Tokyo after the war and founded his official style of karatedo called Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo.At the heart of this style is an emphasis on contact training and sparing giving a more realistic and practical understanding of the art and its techniques.

In the 1960’s the son o\\f Seki Kudaka (Hisataka) Masayuki Kudaka (Hisataka) who was then an undefeated champion in Japan was sent by the Japanese Government to the 1965 World fair in New York and subsequently the 1967 World expo in Montreal Canada where he spent 13 years spreading his unique contact style of karatdo. In 1979 he invented the Super Safeguard chest and faceguard and along with it the Koshiki Karatedo (Hardball Karatedo) Competition and training system which would revolutionise karate training and competition making it more dynamic, realistic and safe allowing students to take their understanding to the next level.

Today Koshiki karatedo is practiced on all major continents and is growing in popularity around the world, as we have found that today’s youth need to be engaged and challenged in more realistic and challenging ways, building qualities such as dedication, discipline, mental strength, tolerance and respect. Koshiki Karatedo has become a dedicated education system that emphasises and trains these attributes in a real and tangible way.

In 2005 the head master and founder of Koshiki Masayuki Kudaka made his 1st trip back to Okinawa to reconnect with his family roots as protectors of the sacred Kudaka Island, and reintroduce his family Karate to its birthplace Okinawa. Since then he has been working with the major Okinawan schools to establish koshiki karatedo as a major competition system for all styles in Okinawa and around the world. The World Koshiki Karatedo Federation annually brings junior athletes from around the world to Japan for educational purposes such as training with the head master of the system, learning and experiencing the history and culture of Karatedo and Japan in general and testing themselves in an international junior competition. This year 2019 marks an historical landmark where this year’s Koshiki Karatde Junior World Grand Prix was held in Okinawa at the famous Okinawa Karate Kaikan facility.

Being a long time student of So Shihan Masayuki Kudaka 10th Dan, founder of the Koshiki system, I was fortunate to has been present with him in 2005 on his 1st trip back to Okinawa from Mainland Japan. That year I coached my first junior team to take part in such an experience in Japan, and witnessed a profound growth and change in the 3 youth ages 9, 11 and 13 who took part in this first experience in 2005. Since then I have continued to prepare and accompany dedicated junior athletes on their journey to Japan to test themselves and learn

the true meaning of karatedo , building themselves and their understanding of the world and what it takes to be successful, Happy and Healthy. This year 2019 is no exception as I accompanied a team of 3 juniors on a journey and adventure to Mainland Japan and Okinawa, where they competed in the 2019 Koshiki Karatedo Junior World Grand Prix, and spent time in Tokyo training at the Hombu Dojo (style headquarters) under the founder So Shihan Masayuki Kudaka 10th Dan and his son Hanshi Masamitsu Kudaka 8th Dan.

I hope this report captures what an awesome experience this trip was for these 3 young deserving karateka, on their behalf I greatly thank all of the supporters and sponsors of our team without which this trip would not have been possible. Arigato Gosaimashita!

Kiyoshi Paul Jackman 7th Dan

President and Head Coach

Western Canadian Koshiki Karatedo Federation

2019 TEAM CANADA REPORT

August 2nd 2019 I gather at Toronto Pearson airport with my small team of determined warriors, all very excited to be on such a huge trip. Flight was 13 hrs to Tokyo but the team was patient and handled the long flight very well. With the help of lots of movies that were available on the plane. Our team is made up of 1. Nasif Neaz age 14 training now for over 8 years 2. Solomon Jackman age 12 training now for 8 years 3. Noah Mehari age 11 training for 5 years 4. Myself Paul Jackman coach and not knowing yet but competitor in the Veterans (over 40 yrs old) division

Arrived in Tokyo and its now Aug 3rd. greeted at the airport by representatives from Hombu Dojo, Kiyoshi Mega Martinez and Hanshi Hitoshi Namekata, and also members of the Portuguese team that had also just arrived. What a great welcome to Japan!!

Strangely enough the team all got to sleep that night and slept through the night, Jet Lag not affecting them in the same way as the coach but a few days of training and sleep would put all of team Canada on japan time and feeling good.

Only 4 days in Tokyo until we leave for Okinawa on the 7th , for more training and then the tournament on the 11th. On the 4th some private training for my team with the headmaster, and visiting one of the dojos outside Tokyo in Urayasu City. What an honor and privilege to have private sessions with So Shihan Masayuki Kudaka and then traveling across the city to attend and assist him with one of his far away classes.

In our free time we got to use the amazing transit system and see some of the amazing temples, shrines, cultural attractions and amazing restaurants.

On the 6th we were joined at Hombu dojo by some members of the Australian team for some more special training by So Shihan Masayuki Kudaka 10th Dan. These friendships made will last a long long time and break down cultural, ethnic and religious barriers. Friends in Budo friends for life!

On the 7th it was off to Okinawa a small island owned by Japan that is about 3hrs flying time from Tokyo. Okinawa is also the birthplace of Karate and the whole team could feel the history of the ground we stood on and felt most privileged to be there and preparing for competition in what is considered to be the Meca of Karate. We arrived at the same time at the team from India and more new friends were made and cultures exchanged. More great food at the local Okinawan restaurants and bonds made with team members from other countries while seeing the beautiful historical sites like the Okinawan Kings Castle and local markets with their interesting products..

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The first official day of the tournament was full of seminars and workshops all done at the

famous Okinawa Karate Kaikan which is a huge complex dedicated to the art of Karate and its

history. It was very inspiring being in a place with such a rich karate history and to be competing

in the kaikan’s main hall the next day was a great honor.

On the tournament day the team was ready to do their best, the years spent training to get to

their level, the extra training in Tokyo with So Shihan Kudaka and being excited to be in the

land where karate began would fuel this young team Canada to have amazing performances.

First in the Kata (forms) division Solomon and Noah shared the podium impressively taking the

Bronze and silver Medals respectively. Nasif performed a spectacular Kata and took the Gold

Medal in His Kata division.

In their Kumite (fighting) divisions they did equally amazing. Nasif fought hard and made it to

the final match where he lost by a very minor margin to an Australian competitor earning the

silver medal in his age division. Here are some photos of his fighting competition experience in

Okinawa.

Solomon and Noah being only 1 year apart in age were in the same fighting division and both

fought hard to make it into the finals. Solomon made it into the finals and fought an amazing

final against a young competitor from Nepal and took the gold medal. Noah lost his semi final,

but managed to fight hard and won the bronze medal match against a Japanese opponent.

Here are some photos from Solomon and Noah’s fighting division.

After an awesome tournament day where lasting memories and feelings of pride and

accomplishment were hard earned through hard work, determination and dedication. We had

1 more day before heading back to Canada and were given a great treat by being taken to visit

the sacred Kudaka Island by our own Hanshi Masamitsu Kudaka the son of the koshiki founder

and current president of the World Koshiki Karatedo Federation. On this trip we were

personally treated to an oral history of the island and his family and their connection as

protectors of it. We also paid respects at the shrine where the Okinawan kings would come to

have their children. What a beautiful little island and a very spiritual place.

A most special Thank you to all the sponsors and Supporters of the Western Canadian Koshiki

Karatedo Federation. With your continued support we hope to take an even bigger team on the

next journey to the land of the rising sun where our young athletes are building themselves and

breaking down barriers between themselves and their international friends with whom they

will form lifelong relationships. For more information on becoming a sponsor please contact

Paul Jacckman, Kiyoshi 7th Dan, President Western Canadian Koshiki Karatedo Federation

519-694-0754. torontokudaka@gmail.com