By Elmo M.A. Diederiks
This document provides a modern-day view on the Karate curriculum and the need to keep evolving.
By David Stainko
The phenomenon of expansion of various martial arts and sports across the world is of such intensity which is hard to explain even to psychologists, sociologists, different sports journalists and other professionals.
By Scott Watson
The question “What is Karate and how did it come into existence?” has been asked and examined several times over the years. It is generally understood that the origins of Karate come from many different fighting systems with kata being the mechanism to record these and pass on the knowledge. Subsequently, kihon and consensual kumite were added to create the framework of modern-day Karate.
In Memory of Yaguchi Sensei Nov. 14, 1932 to October 26, 2023
Yutaka Yaguchi was born on November 14, 1932, in Kure, Hiroshima area, Japan, to a farming family.
By Bruce Green*
By Jerzy Łabiński
Karate training is associated by many laymen with the ability to perform splits, high jumping kicks, breaking boards, etc. Although all these elements have their place in martial arts training, every trainee knows that they are not as important in training as it might seem. In this article, I would like to focus on muscle stretching exercises. “Someone who trains martial arts must be able to do the splits.”
Interview By Michelle du Plessis & Janine Engelbrecht.
SP: My karate career started in 1966 at the tender age of 8 years old when Norman Robinson sensei (JKS 9th Dan) demonstrated the weird art of Unarmed Combat at our Primary School. The next 56 years of my life was jam-packed with Karate training, teaching, camps, tournaments, tours – and I loved every minute of it.
EDITOR’S COMMENT:
We don’t often include an Obituary in the magazine, however, I’m publishing this one for two reasons. One, I knew sensei Ron Bellwood personally, he was a dedicated karateka and a wonderful human being. Secondly, as I’ve stated many times previously, it’s equally as important to mention the rank and file karateka who devote their whole lives to the art without being a famous name.
SKM Editor, John Cheetham 5th Dan stresses the importance, especially for older karateka, of maintaining speed, impact-power and target accuracy moving from A to B with a lunging or stepping action. Here are 3 examples, all Jodan: Shuto uchi – Gyaku zuki and using the footwork step back and forward (kirikaeshi) for Oie zuki.
Every Karate-ka decides what Karate is and means for themselves. Their own limits, as well as their own potential, set in their own thoughts.
