Great Aikidokas Visit Kenya

Thursday, February 18, 2016 to Saturday, February 20, 2016 saw a once in a lifetime aikido seminar and workshop take place in Kenya. It was the first time since aikido was introduced in Kenya (October 16th 2009) that the Hombu dojo in Japan sent over instructors to Kenya.

Kanazawa Takeshi Shihan and Tokuda Masaya Shidoin conducted the Gashuku hosted by the Japan embassy in Kenya and attended by the aikido enthusiasts in Kenya including the hosts Nairobi Aikikai, Sagana's All Saints High School, Githumu boys High School among others.

The final day of the Gashuku was graced by the Japan Ambassador in Kenya H.E Tatsushi Terada who stressed on the importance of sports corporation among the two countries.

....this aikido demonstration and workshop is a part of sports for tomorrow's programme....
-Ambassador Tatsushi Terada-

Speaking through a translator, Kanazawa Takeshi Shihan stressed the importance of the uke in the practice of aikido in the dojo.  'A good uke'  he said  'should be able to blend in the technique so that the two can conduct the technique flawlessly during training....'

"....Aikido isn't something you only understand with your mind, but something you feel with your heart." - Kanazawa Takeshi Shihan.




L-R Toshiyuki Kitayama (Sandan), Kanazawa Takeshi (Shichidan) and Tokuda Masaya (Yondan)




Some members of the hosts Nairobi Aikikai
L-R Sammy Mwakio and Aguta Onsando (3rd kyu) Ben Kiyaga and Dan Areba (1st Kyu)



L-R Mr Nakamura (Japan Embassy) Sammy Mwakio, Aguta Onsando, H.E Tatsushi Terada (Japan Ambassador to Kenya)
Kanazawa Takeshi, Ben Kiyaga, Tokuda Masaya and Dan Areba

'-DO' ....MY WAY OF LIFE

Have you ever wondered why names of Japanese martial arts end with the suffix -do? Aikido, Judo, Karatedo, Kendo etc

Well...let's revisit our history books. During the pre-Meiji period (1868-1912) almost all the martial arts had the suffix 'Jutsu'. Example Kendo was Kenjutsu, Judo was known as Jujutsu, Kyudo (archery) was Kyujutsu, Jukendo (swordsmanship) was Sojutsu....You get the drift?

After the 2nd world war the allied forces banned the practise of martial arts in Japan for obvious reasons...The arts were deemed to be 'militant' in nature. Afterwards they were slowly incorporated into the education system right from elementary to university with associations to back them up. They were therefore made safer and friendlier to the learners.

Jutsu by definition is technique. A technique that was used in in the battlefield either to kill, maim, or immobilize an enemy.It was used by the warriors as a last resort when they ran out of ammunition, broken their arrows or swords.

The suffix -'do' means way. It is attributed to the founder of Judo (Way of gentleness), Kano Jigoro, who after studying Jujutsu realized that some of the techniques were overly dangerous to be practised and taught in a safe manner. He instead incorporated these dangerous techniques in katas. So Judo was founded on the emphasis of the art being educative on moral, physical and intellectual to the practitioner.

Gichin Funakoshi of Karatedo (Way of empty hand) first practised Ryuku Karate-jutsu and actually gave a demo in 1916 in mainland Japan. Later on in 1922 he changed the art's name to Karatedo to underscore its role as a way of self perfection.

Aikido's (Way of harmonious spirit) founder Ueshiba Morihei O'sensei studied many arts including Daito-ryu. More emphasis was put on winning at all costs, of course he had misgivings on this theory. In 1920 he founded a dojo and started the Aiki-bujutsu and later on in 1942 changed it to Aikido.

Sojutsu used a bayonet kind of weapon in battles but later on renamed Jukendo which used more friendly weapons made from bamboo.

Since then -'DO' has become a way of life to hundreds of millions of practitioners around the globe and many more are taking up the arts and the flames can only burn brighter.

-'DO' is my way of life, Make it yours.

You Just Never Know Who U Dealing With

It is known that a majority of martial artists will try and avoid physical confrontation at all costs. They will never start a fight but if pushed against a wall they will surely be there to see that they bring it to a convincing conclusion.

The reason, according to me is, one: Since they know of the damage that they can cause-these guys are trained with a keen eye on putting your pressure points on the crosshairs- They would rather skip a fight than risk wasting time in law courts or even spending time with the filth in prison, they have better things to do like washing their gi, folding the hakama, or learning a new way of tying the obi….. see, not worth a second of your time.

Two:  most of the time you may not be able to recognize a martial artist by just his/her looks… unless you have trained eyes. The average guy you see on the street, not bulky, thick necked, scars all over etc may be the guy you never want to mess with. Trust me; I have seen a petite man bring down a potential Mr. Universe. Unless a practitioner is what the Japanese refer to as Kuchi Buchi or a mouth warrior who yaps to anyone who shows some interest on what a great aikidoka, karateka, judoka or whatever he is, most will go unnoticed.

With this in mind, a martial artist will try avoid a physical confrontation, for he may not know who s/he is dealing with. He might just be messing up with a shihan (master instructor).

With that in mind ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls I came across a great video clip stressing on my second point….You just never know who you messing with!!

Click here for video

All Inclusive Martial Arts

Just came across this clip, just reinforces my believe in a say-no-die human mind. I know it's a clinche but nothing beats a determined mind... not even after amputation.

So ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages enjoy the clip. click here

On Karate Punch

It's been a long discussion on whether martial arts (read Karate) is becoming soft and softer year after year. Case in point, just watch 60's, 70's and 80's clips on championships in you tube etc. Karate had the greats such as Englishmen Terry O'neill and Geoff Thompson, Japanese 'samurais' such as Yahara and Takaeshi Oishi. This generation never heard of hand mitts, shin guards, chest protectors, gum shields as today's generation of rafael Aghayev and Luigi Busa do.

Even without these 'safety measures', the earlier generation still managed to minimise injury (or were they tougher?) on the tatami.

I may not agree totally with Iain Abernathy's views but I totally agree on some use of power and swiftness in punching and kicking. As he puts it in world combat association website...

"A punch is fundamentally designed to damage other human beings so that they can no longer function. A punch should therefore be judged by the success criteria of its ability to incapacitate. We should train our punches with that goal in mind such that our training increases the ability of our punches to incapacitate. A punch should be deemed “good” if it can damage people."

Iain claims that today's punches and techniques in general are taught in such a way to look nice beautiful...

Don't know what you think.

Aikido Gashuku In Rwanda

December 2013 AD marked the exact month that Aikido was introduced in Rwanda.

On the March of the year 2014 will go down as the month that Rwanda held their inauguration seminar. The seminar which ran from 9th to 15th of March 2014 was held at the Nyarutarama Sports Trust Club and graced by Massimo di Villadorata Sensei 7th Dan from Canada.

Aikidokas from Canada, Iran and Rwanda took part in 6 day seminar and Rwanda neighbours, Kenya, were not left behind represented by 3 aikidokas from Nairobi Aikikai. 

KKGA National Individual Championships

The Kenya Karate-do Goju-Kai Association has invited all Goju Ryu dojos, schools and institutions for the forthcoming Individual juniors, cadets, seniors and veterans individual championships.

The tourney is to take place at Nyayo Stadium, Call room on the 8th and 9th March 2014 from 0900 hrs to 1700hrs, participation fee is Ksh. 500 per individual.

According to sources, both kata (form) and kumite (spurring) will be featured as the championship will be used to select the team that will represent Kenya in the forthcoming 1st All Africa Goju-Kai  Karate-do championships which will be held in Mauritius later on in the year. For a full Goju-Kai 2014 calender of events, click here.

Aikido Academy Officially Launched

Being one of the most recently martial art introduced in Kenya, aikido is definately here to stay. Aikido has been practised in Kenya since October 16th 2009 introduced by a Polish  Sensei Matteusz Wage who has since left the country. Being the branch of Birankai Poland, they follow the Birankai system.

For quite a while, the Embassy of Japan  has been and still hosts this Aikido group on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1700hrs to 1900hrs. Further details can be seen on their blog and their facebook page.

Another aikido group,the East Africa Aikido Aikikai, also practice in Nairobi,  and have recently opened an aikido academy, Sagana Aikido Academy which is an all-girl aikido group. More info can be found on their facebook page or the Sagana Aikido Academy facebook page.

Kenya Goju Kai Calender

Ok, I know its been a long time since the last post, does that mean that the martial art scene in Kenya has gone silent? Maybe..... maybe not. But...oh well....

The Kenya Goju Ryu Karate-do has released its time table for the year 2014-15 and yes every month there will be an event, so ladies and gentlemen get your Gis out, clean your shin guards and dust your belts and buckle-up for a busy year ahead.

DATE	EVENT	VENUE
15 – 16 Feb	National Goju Ryu Referees and Table Officials Cetification Seminar	Nairobi
8 – 9 March	National Individual Novices, Seniors and Veteran Championship	Nairobi
22 March	Annual General Meeting	Nairobi
18 – 21 April	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Training Camp (Gasshuku)	Kampala
17 May	Commemoration of Kaisho Gogen Yamagushi International Seminar-cum-Grading (By Grandmaster Saiko Shihan)	Nairobi
14 June	Inter-colleges Championships	Mombasa
12 July	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Welfare day	Nairobi
9 – 10 August	Black Belt Seminar (Gasshuku)	Nakuru
22 – 25 August	1st All Africa Goju Kai Karate Do Championships	Mauritius
20 September	Young Warriors Goju Ryu Karate-Do Championships	Nairobi
10 – 12  October	Commemoration of Goju Ryu Karate-Do Founder-  Chojun Miyagi	Moshi (TZ)
8 November	Inter Counties Goju Ryu Karate-Do Team Championships	Kisumu
5 – 7 December	International Training Camp	South Africa
20 December	Sayonara Party	Nairobi
17 January 2015	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Junior Cadet and Instructors Seminar	nyeri

Kenya Karate Veterans

On Monday (6/01/2014) Kenya's Standard Newspaper featured a story of Kaizer Karimbhai a veteran karateka who is still going strong despite clocking over 60 years. Kaizer godan (5th dan black belt), is one of the Karimbhai's whose family has been associated with karate for the last four decades or so. He has dedicated his life for the way since the 60's.

Perhaps what got me more excited is what he said about one of Kenya's great sensei

"Our efforts to promote karate were greatly assisted by the Japan government, which sent top-notch instructor Yashio Tamura as the chief national coach"

Kaizer Karimbhai continues

"Tamura made great contribution by training hundreds of local karatekas and also a national coach, Wallace Gachanja"

Now, any of Tamura's sensei student current or past should be proud  to hear of this and most definitely am honoured to be one of his students... oss!

Gojukai Team Perfomance

Well, the Goju Kai Karate-do team jetted back in the country a few weeks ago from Mumbai where they had attended the 6th Goju kai championships.

The top placed country on the continent was South Africa.
The team did all they could in the championships regardless of the preparations that were some how hurriedly done. Well next is Canada in 2017 so.....Let the preparations begin guys!

Naomi Kinyanjui scores with what seems to be a Gizami-zuki

Peter Ongeto face-to-face with a South African opponent

Maurice Aloo Sensei with part of the Juniors team and friends.

Ongeto Sempai with Brazilian friends

Selling through martial arts

I don't get the advert but am sure it's a great product for it uses martial arts :-D ....Aikido >>>click Here>>>

Kenya Karate-do Federation Calender

Meanwhile the KKF 2014 calender of events has been released. Quite an interesting debate is going on regarding the 'many events' in the calender, some claiming it will not be practical to have events every month.

The Chair of KKF Mr. Atemi however defended the calender saying the more the events the better for the sport.

"...I am already working on a schedule that will align Karate to the Kenya Football style where clubs and county teams compete from the grassroots to the national level" he added.

Events, dates and venues might change fro time to time...So keep it here.

Date	Event	Venue
15-16 February	National Instructors/Coaches  Course	Nairobi
15-16 March	Referees and judges Course	Nairobi
9-10 May	Kenya Open Individual Karate Championship	Nairobi
May	Zone 5 Seniors Karate Championships	T.B.A
13-14 June	Gashukku Training Camp	Thika
5 July	Female Individual Karate Champioship	Nakuru
August	UFAK Senior Karate Championship	T.B.A
13-14 September	Inter Counties Karate Championships	Mombasa
5-9 November	World Seniors Karate Championships	Bremen-Germany
14-15 November	National Clubs Championships	Busia/Kakamega

Karate-do Youth Olympics trials

While the Kenya Taekwondo Association will be holding their Youth Olympic trials on 21 Dec 2013, click here, The Kenya Karate-do Federation held theirs on the 14th Dec 2013 at the Utalii College. A total of six karatekas three boys and three girls, were selected.

Black Friday

Friday, December 6th 2013 will go down as a day when the world lost once a great boxer by the name of Nelson Madiba Mandela.

Born July 18 1918, the first African to be elected as South African president, Madiba was a heavy-weight boxer in his early days and is quoted in his autobiography Long Walk To Freedom  '.......I was intrigued by how one moves one's body to protect oneself.... I found the rigorous exercise to be an excellent outlet for tension and stress'

No bard can ever put pen to paper on the achievements of this great man.

Martial Arts Kenya joins the world, and all martial artists in mourning an iconic boxer.

Kenya Open Taekwondo Championship

Let's all free our calenders on the 21st of December 2013 for the Kenya Taekwondo Federation this week announced the Kenya Open Championship to be held on 21st December 2013 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

According to their Facebook page, the championship will also be used to select a team that will represent Kenya at the 2nd Africa Youth games to be held in Gaborone , Botswana on 22nd - 31st May 2014 and at the Youth Olympics to be held in Nanjing, China from 16th-28th August 2014 all open for 14 - 17 year olds.

The Open is open for all categories i.e seniors, juniors, cadets and children where the charges will be Ksh. 500 for adult participants and Ksh. 300 for children.

So to all of us we have a date!

KKF GRADING

The Kenya Karate-do Federation annual grading timetable is finally out! The grading is scheduled to take place on Saturday 7th Dec 2013 and the venue being Moi Sports complex, Kasarani... or is it Safaricom stadium... doesn't really matter now commencing at 0900 hrs.

Charges are as follows:

3rd to 1st Kyu Brown belts ---- Ksh 1,000
Shodan (1st dan black belt)----  Ksh 2,000
Nidan (2nd dan black belt) ----  Ksh 4,000

Okay guys we've all trained in our different dojos, so on the 7th of Dec is when the rubber meets the road. no disappointments!!!

Pictures from demo

On Nov 3rd 2013 the Japan Embassy held a cultural day. Click here. Below are more pictures from the martial arts demonstrated

Sanseru kata in progress

Karate's Yoshio Tamura Sensei performing a kata

Judoka's throw

Yet another Judo's throw

Karatekas performing a standing yoko geri