12th Sabah Primary Schools Karate Championships, Sabah

The Association sent a contingent of 20 athletes to the 12th Sabah Primary School Karate Championship held at Likas Sports Complex, Kota Kinabalu from 24th to 25th October 2009.

Accompanying the contingent were officials and a large group of accompanying parents.

This championship catered for Primary school and Form 1 students aged 7 till 13. An extra category was also introduced for this championship for Women 18 - 23 years of age as part of Sabah's SUKMA preparations.

Our athletes competed in both Kata and Kumite events for their age groups.

The Association is pleased to share that the team finished 4th overall with a medal tally of 12 comprising 1 gold, 2 silvers and 9 bronzes.

We hope to achieve a better result in next year's championship, should the invitation come our way.

GO! GO! GOSHIN!

Year 2009 2nd Grading

Miri, 18th October 2009 – About 75 athletes comprising children to adult age groups, from the Sarawak Goshin-Ryu Karate Association were successfully graded by SOKE Clement Soo, the Grandmaster and founder of the Goshin-Ryu style of Karate (Goshin-Ryu Malaysia) at Kelab Rekreasi Petroliam, Lutong.

Among the highlights were the first time participation by several members from the newly established ILP Dojo. There were also some participants who were granted a double promotion from SOKE.

SOKE Clement Soo is the current Secretary-General of the Malaysian Karate Federation (MAKAF) and, the current Vice-President (Operations) of the Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Referee Council.

One of the stated objectives of the association is the advancement of sports karate in Sarawak and the identification of potential athletes at local and state-levels and eventually national-level.

Those interested in sending their children for training or wishing to take up karate for interest may contact our officials through email goshinmiri@gmail.com, or telephone, Mdm. Nurliza Talhah, 012-8075979; Mr. Steven Chong, 016-8791969; or Mdm Salbiah, 016-8542151 for more information. The association has also set up a blog site at www.goshinmiri.blogspot.com.

Facebook Group

We now have a Facebook group page which can viewed at...http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20193738888#/group.php?gid=126996898700..

Cheers.

The Star on the 29th National Senior Karate Championships

The Star 18 August 2009

Vasantha downs Maalini to earn shot at third Asian title

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Karate mum Vasantha Marial has won a place in the Malaysian squad for the Asian Championships in China next month after a successful campaign in the national championships held over the last weekend.

In the competition in Ayer Keroh, the mother of a six-month-old girl regained the kumite below 50kg title by beating fellow Hayashi Ha exponent C. Maalini 4-1 in the final.

The victory over the younger Maalini, who is the Asian junior champion, was satisfying indeed for Vasantha, who only resumed training four months ago. Vasantha got married in March last year and stopped training after she got pregnant.

The 30-year-old exponent is now looking forward to making a strong bid to win a third successive gold in the Asian championships.

She made a successful comeback from knee surgery to win the title in 2005 and retained it two years later.

“I am happy to earn another shot at winning the Asian championship below 50kg kumite title,” said Vasantha, who missed last year’s national cham­­­pionships because of the pregnancy.

“By winning my seventh national title, I have proved that I can still contribute to the squad. This was only my second competition after the KOI World Cup in Kuching last month (where she won silver). I’m more satisfied as I think I fought better in the national championships.”

Elsewhere, there were no surprises with the elite national fighters dominating in their respective weight categories.

Hayashi Ha finished top in the overall standings with a medal haul of 9-1-6 while Penang’s Goshin Ryu rode on the strength of their national kata exponents for second place on 4-1-0.

RESULTS

■ MEN’S KATA

Individual: 1. Tan Chee Sheng (Goshin Ryu), 2. Lim Chee Wei (Pen), 3. Khor Kah Tong (Pen); Emmanuel Leong (Prk).

Team: 1. Goshin-Ryu, 2. Penang, 3. Sabah; Police.

■ MEN’S KUMITE

Below 55kg: 1. K. Kannan (Hayashi Ha), 2. G. Rajendrakumar (Hayashi Ha), 3. Loganeshaa Rao (Sel); Wong Yoon Chin (Joh).

Below 60g: 1. Chan Keng Ann (Joh), 2. Mahfudz Azeem (Sab), 3. L. Kunasilan (Prk); Mohd Suffree (Kel).

Below 67kg: 1. Lim Yoke Wai (Joh), 2. Mohd Red­zuan, 3. Shaharudin Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha); Uriel Franch (Joh).

Below 75kg: 1. G. Nagatheeban (Hayashi Ha), 2. Dann­y Fredoline (Sab), 3. K. Tegaran (Hayashi Ha); Harry Lukas (Pol).

Below 84kg: 1. Mohd Hatta (Prk), 2. K. Logendran (Joh), 3. P. Gunasegar (Prk); K. Jayaseelan (Hayashi Ha).

Above 84kg: 1. The Chin Keong (Pen), 2. Lok Chee Meng (Shorin Ryu), 3. S. Inthiran (Kul); S. Mano (Sel).

Open: 1. L. Kunaseelan (Prk), 2. Chen Wei Han (Pen), 3. The Chin Keong (Pen); Shaharudin Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha).

Team: 1. Johor, 2. Hayashi Ha, 3. Sabah; Selangor.

■ WOMEN’S KATA

Individual: 1. Lim Lee Lee (Goshin Ryu), 2. Thoe Ai Poh (Goshin Ryu), 3. Chong Chew Teng (Pen); Quah Beng Huai (Pen).

Team: 1. Goshin Ryu, 2. Penang.

■ WOMEN’S KUMITE

Below 45kg: 1. Eleena Anis (Hayashi Ha), 2. A. Nisha (Hayashi Ha), 3. G. Yugneswary (Hayashi Ha); Jalma Annas (Mal).

Below 50kg: 1. Vasantha Marial (Hayashi Ha), 2. C. Maalini (Hayashi Ha), 3. Darnizan (Kel); V. Renugha (Sel).

Below 55kg: 1. G. Vathana (Hayashi Ha), 2. M. Yokananthini (Hayashi Ha) 3. Anitha (Sel); Tong Yan Ting (Mal).

Below 61kg: 1. G. Yamini (Hayashi Ha), 2. K. Jayanthi (Hayashi Ha), 3. Rina Murniza (Pol); Zuraini Omar (Pol).

Below 68kg: 1. Jamaliah Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha), 2. Om Thilagavathy (Sel), 3. Lisani Adzahari (Sab); N. Shanti (Hayashi Ha).

Above 68kg: 1. Looi Lai Yan (Hayashi Ha), 2. Lee Chong Hong (Pen), 3. Rozira (Mal); Ong Gui Ying (Mal).

Open: 1. A. Nisha (Hayashi Ha), 2. G. Yugneswary (Hayashi Ha), 3. Eleena Anis (Pen); Zuraini (Pol).

Team: 1. Hayashi Ha, 2. Police, 3. Malacca; Selangor.

Resumption of training at ILP

We have resumed our training at ILP, Permyjaya.

29th National Senior Karate Championships

Ayer Keroh, Melaka

13th to 16th August 2009

We sent a squad comprising 6 athletes and 3 officials to this championship.

Many of the competitors were from the national and national backup squads.

We participated in both kata and kumite events winning 2 Bronze in the following evemts.

1. Individual Kumite, Female -50kg, Darnizan bte Darmanto

2. Individual Kumite, Male -60kg, Mohd. Suffree bin Mohd. Ali

Overall, our participation in this championship and the last Junior championship have been a good experience and provided valuable exposure to the athletes, the majority of whom are the SUKMA shadow team in contention for places in the Karate team for the SUKMA 2010.

We hope to send our athletes for more competitions in the lead up towards SUKMA for further exposure as well as to build up the next generation of athletes in the younger age groups.

GO! GO! GOSHIN!

Trickling into Melaka

After a long day including a 2-hour delay at the airport this morning for the first group, we are starting to trickle into Melaka.

The first group has arrived and checked into the hotel with team 2 on their way.

Team 3 will arrive tomorrow night.

Whew!

Team 1 is hungry and hopefully team 2 will arrive soon for communal dinner. Now to rest and do light training tomorrow and maybe get in some sight-seeing.

No training 12 to 16 August

Due to the upcoming National Seniors Karate Championships, there will be no training from 12th to 16th August.

We resume on 17th August with Adults session at ILP.

Please take note!

SUKMA Atheletes' Profile by Eastern Times 1

This is part of a series of profiles of Sarawak's SUKMA atheletes produced by Eastern Times as a lead up to the SUKMA 2010. We will feature the association's representatives as they become available.

Al-Hasbi Al-Harir

Event: Kata (Individual)

ILP temporary closure (Update 1)

The quarantine period for ILP has been extended by the authorities till 10th August.

Training until then will continue to be held at KRP, Lutong.

29th MAKAF Seniors National Karate Championship

It's confirmed; we'll be sending a team to this championship to be held in Melaka from 13th to 16th August.

Due to the current status of Sarawak not being a MAKAF member and the Goshin-Ryu Federation slots being taken up already, we are in an interesting situation.

It is funny but sad at the same time (at least we'll be able to compete):- We are flying the flag of Kelantan state!

Any one from Kelantan want to help us out with finances for this trip?

If you want to help, please email us at goshinmiri@gmail.com or call me, Steven at 016 879 1969. Official receipts will be issued to assist in your tax claims.

ILP temporary closure

Training at ILP is currently suspended due to suspected cases of Influenza A(H1N1).

Duration of the quarantine is about 1 week and hopefully we will resume training after this period is over around 3rd or 4th August.

In the meanwhile, it's back to KRP this week.

ILP inaugaural training

The first training session for ILP students was held on 24th July 2009.

The Star on the 19th National Junior & Cadet Karate Championship 2009

Karate coach aims to groom younger back-up squad for world Juniors

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hosting the world junior karate championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2011 and the national junior championships held in Putrajaya over the weekend have given chief coach P. Arivalagan an inkling of what needs to be done to form a creditable squad for the challenges.

And Arivalagan has plans to groom a younger back-up squad.

“We already have the elite and elite back-up squads. But the world junior championships also have competitions at the cadet level — from Under-13 to Under-15,” he said.

“These are the age-groups where we have to start preparing a team from now if we want to do well in two years’ time. Moreover, the elite back-up exponents will by then not be eligible to compete in the World Juniors.”

The plan will be submitted to the National Sports Council (NSC) for approval as part of the development programme.

Arivalagan added some of the young exponents showed good potential in the just concluded national junior championships.

In the two-day championships involving 395 exponents, Hayashi Ha emerged as the overall champions with a medal haul of 7-3-5 ahead of Penang (6-6-7) and Johor (4-3-8).

19th National Junior & Cadet Karate Championship 2009

The Venue - Dewan Kejiranan, Precinct 11, Putrajaya

(It was so out of the way, the taxi drivers even got lost!)

We have returned from the 19th National Junior & Cadet Karate Championships which were held at Putrajya from 11th to 12th July 2009.

Goshin-Ryu Sarawak Contingent with Soke & Mrs. Clement Soo

(The camera with which this picture was taken - let's just say, I'm not happy with it; optics is nice but speed is so slow. That's why composition is poor.)

Our contingent was entered representing the Goshin-Ryu Federation competing in 6 categories i.e. Individual Kata Male Cadet (14 / 15 years) & Female Junior (16 /17 years); Individual Kumite Male Children (12 / 13 years), Male Under-21 (+78kg), Female Junior (-48kg & -53kg) from all the available categories.

We have had a tight schedule and the time & distance involved in travel to and from the competition venue (we stayed in KL and commuted to Putrajaya, not to mention the flight from Miri itself). Moving a dozen kids and officials all over the place is no easy task and an adventure in itself. Kudos to our team manager for the planning and execution.

At the Kommuter waiting for our train back to the city after Day 1

Despite these additional challenges, we are very,very pleased with the outcome.

1. We managed to expose our atheletes to a national level competition and gauge their standing;

2. We managed to secure 3 placings (5 bronze medalists) out of the 6 events we competed in.

The medallists and their respective events are:

1. Individual Kata Male Cadet (14 / 15 years)

Al-Hasbi Al-Harir

Awangku Mohd. Fauzi Awangku Tengah

2. Individual Kata Female Junior (16 / 17 years)

Nur Nadirah Abdul Ghani

Dayangku Nurdiyana Awangku Tengah

3. Individual Kumite Female Junior (-53kg)

Nur Nadirah Abdul Ghani

Congratulations to all our atheletes for their hard work. Now they can rest, at least for the next few days...then it's back to training. (Coach has an evil grin on his face.)

Closing Ceremony - Gathering of Participants

We look forward to sending atheletes to the 29th National Senior Karate Championships to be held in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, 13th to 16th August 2009 for further exposure and assessment in preparation for SUKMA 2010.

We are looking for supporters and contributors especially from the financial side to help us out with the preparations for the 29th Senior Nationals and further on. Please email me at goshinmiri@gmail.com if you wish to help advance the future of Sarawak Karate. Thanks.

WKF World Junior Karate Championships 2011

The Star, 14th July 2009

Karate coach aims to groom younger back-up squad for world Juniors

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hosting the world junior karate championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2011 and the national junior championships held in Putrajaya over the weekend have given chief coach P. Arivalagan an inkling of what needs to be done to form a creditable squad for the challenges.

And Arivalagan has plans to groom a younger back-up squad.

“We already have the elite and elite back-up squads. But the world junior championships also have competitions at the cadet level — from Under-13 to Under-15,” he said.

“These are the age-groups where we have to start preparing a team from now if we want to do well in two years’ time. Moreover, the elite back-up exponents will by then not be eligible to compete in the World Juniors.”

The plan will be submitted to the National Sports Council (NSC) for approval as part of the development programme.

Arivalagan added some of the young exponents showed good potential in the just concluded national junior championships.

In the two-day championships involving 395 exponents, Hayashi Ha emerged as the overall champions with a medal haul of 7-3-5 ahead of Penang (6-6-7) and Johor (4-3-8).

SUKMA 2010 Karatekas' 1st Assessment (Press Report)

Eastern Times 06 July 2009

21 Complete First Karatedo Assessment

HARIFEN (seated 4th right) posing with Ngui (seated 3rd right), chief coach Al-Harir (2nd left), other coaches and the athletes.

Norni Mahadi

MIRI: Twenty-one athletes from four divisions in Sarawak have completed their first assessment for Karatedo SUKMA XIII 2010 at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC), here.
Heading the list were athletes from Miri followed by Sibu (5), Bintulu (3), Kuching (2) and one from Marudi.
Athletes from Miri were Al-Karim Kawi (Kumite), Al-Hasbi Al-Harir (Kata), Nur Nadirah Abdul Ghani (Kata and Kumite) , Muhammad Faiq Zainudden (Kata), Darnizan Darmanto (Kata and Kumite), Dayangku Nurdiyana Awangku Tangah (Kata), Mohd Khaliq Mohd Suppri (Kumite), Akmal Zaki Mohd Laksemana (Kumite), Mohd Suffree Mohd Ali (Kumite) and Ngui Xin Ru (Kata).
Sibu athletes comprised Theodora Leong Suet Wern (Kata), Nurfazila Bahar (Kumite), Nurulashikin Hamdan (Kata and Kumite), Radzi Ramli (Kumite), Jack Chua Peng Hui (Kata and Kumite).
Three athletes from Bintulu are Ayu-Izzati Kasputeri Abdul Nasser (kata), Miraz Ho (Kata) and Noor Surya Sikong (Kata).
Kuching was represented by Bick Baronlee Ajuk (Kumite and Kata) and Evigan ak Indon (Kumite).
Treavor Henry from SMK Marudi is the sole athlete represented the town for Kata event.
According to team manager, Ngui Siou Fong, the athletes have to undergo three assessments to entitle them to represent Sarawak for Karatedo SUKMA XIII.
In the first assessment, it was meant to evaluate the athletes respective skills in Kata and Kumite events.
The first assessment also aimed to identify the strength and weaknesses of the athletes.
The second assessment will be in August while the final assessment for selection is in December this year," Ngui said adding that both assessments will take place here.
Meanwhile, all the athletes have undergone assessments for two events in Karatedo, which are Kata and Kumite.
The selection panels for both specific assessments were Sensei Julian Chin from Sabah Karate Association as Chief Panel while the member panels were Sensei Hj. Jeffrydean from Brunei Karate Federation and Ramlee from National Sport Council.
Also present were the Sarawak Sport Council (MSN) Assistant Director Northern Zone Harifen Haji Mansur.

National Martial Arts Championships

[Kejohanan Seni Mempertahankan Diri Kebangsaan]

This championship was first held in 1997. It was begun as part of celebrations to mark Malaysia's Independence Day.

It is billed as the culmulative event for all martial associations throughout Malaysia.

Goshin-Ryu Karate Federation (MGKF) was omitted from the list for invitations to the 2009 11th Championship which was held in Kedah from 25-28 June.

Following an appeal by MGKF and upon further investigation it was found that a technical oversight had caused this omission. With this development, MGKF has been re-instated into the list and will be eligible to compete in next year's (2010) Championships.

Therefore, Goshin-Ryu Sarawak will be able to send any eligible members to compete in this championship.

This certainly is good news and can only bode well for sports karate not only for us within the association but also for Sarawak as a whole.

Go, Go, Goshin.

Karate Demo In Bekenu

We were invited to conduct a Karate demo during the Official Closing of the National-level World Anti-drugs Day Celebrations held in Bekenu on 28th June 2009.

Photos will be up when they become available.

Thanks to the office of our Patron YB Hj. Ahmad Lai, MP for inviting us.

Penang Trip

As promised, here are some shots from the Penang Trip. Thanks to Shihan CJ Lim and his contingent for welcoming us.

......Training at the Honbu Dojo; doing things that tourists do while in Penang...WALKING & EATING....HAHAHA~!

Ahhhh...Penang hawker fare..wonder if it was any good?

Hoofing it from the hotel to the dojo.

Back to basics!

Whacha doing?

Miri and Penang and Johor and .....

SUKMA 2010 Karatekas' 1st Assessment

1st assessment for selection of athletes to represent Sarawak in SUKMA 2010 from among all styles in Sarawak will take place from 4th to 5th July in Miri.

Goshin Sarawak has selected its hopefuls from among its ranks.

Good luck to them all.

Train Hard, Train Smart.

GO! GO! GOSHIN!

And on a further note, Congratulations to our Chief Instructor on his appointment as the SUKMA Karate team's Chief Coach.

The Borneo Post, 19th June 2009

Sarawak karate meets on Sukma preparations

MIRI: Sarawak Karate Association (SKA) met here recently to discuss preparations for the Sukma XIII in Melaka next year.

The meeting, chaired by its president So Teck Kee, appointed Ngui Siou Fong as the team manager and retained Al-Harir Muhammed as the chief coach.

Representatives from Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), Harriffen Mansur, the acting MSNS Miri assistant director, and Suefarina Affendi, MSNS karate co-coordinator, were also present to discuss how they could contribute to the preparation of the team.

Ngui thanked SKA for appointing him as team manager and pledged to help the team deliver.

Al-Harir also thanked SKA for re-appointing him chief coach for a third time.

He said he would work towards changing the approach to centralised training, talent scouting and lifting the karate standard in the state.

Twelve exponents from Goshin-ryu Sarawak, 10 from Malaysian Association Shitoryu Sarawak (MASK Kenshikan dojo) and two from Asahi Karate Club have been picked for the state shadow team.

According to Al-Harir, three assessments will be conducted to evaluate the level of fitness and technical competency of the exponents.

Goshin-ryu Sarawak exponents will train at Tunas Cemerlang, Pulau Pinang under a national coach, MASK exponents will participate in their annual EMZ tournament in Sabah while Asahi Karate Club exponents will compete in the KOI World Cup in Kuching next month.

19th National Junior & Cadet Karate Championship 2009

MAKAF is holding its 19th National Junior & Cadet Karate Championship. Persatuan Karate Wilayah Persekutuan, Putrajaya is the organiser for this event.

Date and Venue:

09th - 12th July 2009

Dewan Kejiranan Presint 11, Putrajaya, Malaysia

We will be sending a team to this championship.

Competition days are 11th-12th July.

Train more, Train hard, train well, all the best.

YB Andy Chia presents a donation

Madam President accepting the donation on behalf of the association

Goshin Sarawak thanks YB Andy Chia and SUPP for their kind support by presenting the association with a donation to support our activities.

Annual General Meeting

Date 28 June 2009

Venue KRP, Lutong

Time 2pm

Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at the above day and place.

Full voting members must be members of the federation (federation affiliation fees fully paid up), above 18 years old (working, non-student) or 21 years old.

Karatekas off to Penang for training at Penang Honbu Dojo

Our Chief Instructor and a small group of our karatekas with chaperones have gone to Penang.

They have been there since 5th June for training with instructors and members of the Honbu Dojo, which is one of Goshin-Ryu Karate's Centre of Excellence.

Will post some photos once they're back.

Karate Training at ILP, Permyjaya

Update 4

IT IS CONFIRMED!  We start training on 1st June at ILP, Dewan InTrim. See you there.

Update 3

If all goes as planned, we will start training on 1st June at ILP, Dewan InTrim. See you there, if you're not too busy with Gawai ngabang and merrymaking, that is. :) Selamat Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai!

I'll still train!

Update 2

We are now planning for first start after the Gawai holidays, most likely 8th June. We will confirm with another update.

Update 1

18 May start date is not possible, so training is still at KRP until we can finalise our new start date.   We will keep you updated.

--Good news!  We've been granted permission to train at ILP, Permyjaya.

This is in part to expose ILP students to Karate, which will form part of their Co-Curriculur activities in the coming semester onwards; and also provides us an avenue to open enrollment to the adult segment of Miri's general public compared to our previous venue which was more for members only.

Training sessions for Adults on Mondays and Thursdays 730 to 900pm will commence tentatively from 18th May onwards.

We will also move, on a trial basis, the Senior's sessions (13 to 23 years) on Wednesdays 730 to 900pm from KRP to ILP as well.

Training will be conducted at the Dewan InTrim of ILP.

Final arrangements are being made to confirm our ability to start on the 18th May and we will keep you informed of any changes to start dates.

If you are interested or want more information, please contact us at goshinmiri@gmail.com or call 016-879 1969, Mr. Chong.

Sensei Jumari Goshin-Ryu reunion

Sensei Jumari who was in Miri in the 90s met up with the current association Exco last 17 March 2009.

Calling all ex-Goshin at the time; you're cordially invited to continue your training. Give us a call if you're interested.

Our Association President presenting a token to Sensei Jumari.

Our Press Release as it appeared in Eastern Times

150 Athletes, Officials In Karate Tournament

MIRI: 150 athletes and officials took part in the 2nd Invitational Karate Tournament held at Kelab Rekreasi Petroliam premises, here, recently.
Organised by Goshin-Ryu Karate Association of Sarawak, the two-day event attracted various clubs and federations from Brunei, Sabah, Johor, Kuching, Sibu and Miri, namely, Goshin-Ryu Sarawak, Sabah Karate Federation, Goshin-Ryu Johor, Asahi Karatedo Club, Brunei Karate Federation and Malaysian Shito-Ryu Karate-do Association Sarawak (MASK).
The best boy and girl overall champions were Alvin Anthony from Sabah, with two gold medals and Fiora Richard, also from Sabah, who won two golds and a silver medal.
The best promising Goshin-Ryu karate boy and girl were Mohd Khaliq Mohd. Laksemana and Nur Nadirah Abdul Ghani.
The categories were in both kata and kumite for juniors (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 years old) and seniors (open category).
It was an exciting event with much camaraderie and sportsmanship among the participants.
The event was declared open by MSN’s Northern Zone Assistant Director, here, Harifen Hj Mansor.
The patron of the association, Hj. Ahmad Lai Bujang was also present at the closing ceremony. 

Meaning of the Federation Emblem

The Chinese word in the center of the red ring means 'patient' and it is surrounded by English and Chinese wording "Malaysia Goshin-Ryu Karate". Goshin in Japanese means United Together and Ryu means the Style.

When all words are put together it means "Be Patient and United Together to Perform the Style of the Art".

DEMO @ILP, Permyjaya

We will be at ILP this Friday 24 April, 3pm to 4:30pm to conduct a demo for the folks there.

Go! Go! Goshin!

post-demo note: I must say...it went rather well.  keeping fingers crossed.

Vocabulary - Words commonly used in Karate

BUNKAI (boon-kai)  A study of the techniques and applications in KATA.

DAN Black-belt grades. 

1 st dan = shodan

2 nd dan = nidan

3 rd dan = sandan

4 th dan = yondan 

5 th dan = godan

 

DOJO A word used for the place of practice of martial arts.

EMBUSEN (emboo-sen) Floor pattern transcribed by the placement of the feet in different stances during a kata.

GI (gee) The karate uniform.  Traditionally and in our dojo, a white, cotton gi is worn.  Karate gis come in different “weights” (cotton-content), shapes (tournament and classic), and prices.  A lightweight, classic gi is perfectly appropriate for a beginner.

HAI (ha-ee) Yes, ok.

HIKI-TE (hee-kee-tay) The retracting arm of a punching, blocking, or striking technique. Helps rotate the hips and maintain the stable and precise delivery of the technique.

KARATE “Empty Hand".

KARATE-DO "The Way of Karate” -physical, mental and social aspects.

KARATEKA The practitioner of Karate.

KATA Prescribed sequences of techniques performed with specific rhythm and timing

KI (kee) Mind. Spirit. Energy.

KIAI (kee-ai) A short, loud shout accompanying a sharp, strong technique.  Helps release air from the lungs and relax the upper body so that the technique is more effective.  Also helps focus mental energy and display spirit. 

KIHON (kee-hon) Basic techniques.

KIME (kee-may) Focus of power.

KOHAI (ko-hai) A student junior to oneself.

KYU (kee-u) Grades 8 to 1 - all color belts. Any grade below a black belt.

OBI (o-bee) The karate belt.   Different styles and potentially different schools within a style have a different belt-structure, but white belts are always worn by beginners and black belts by advanced students.  In our dojo, we follow the traditional rank structure:

8 th   kyu = white belt

7 th   kyu = green belt

6 th   kyu = blue belt

5 th   kyu = purple belt

4 th   kyu = brown belt

3rd  kyu = brown belt

2nd kyu = brown belt

1st kyu = brown belt

1 st dan and above = black belt

 

OSU (Oss) No translation.  Not a formal way of addressing someone in Japan.  Indicates respect, acknowledgement, willingness and readiness to follow.

SEIZA A proper sitting position used for the formal opening and closing of the class, and whenever the instructor asks students to sit on the side to watch a demonstration of techniques or kata.

SENSEI (sen-say)  A teacher.  A term reserved for the chief instructor of the dojo, and other high-ranking members.

SEMPAI (sem-pai) A senior student

SHIHAN (shee-han) A formal title meaning master instructor or teacher of teachers.  Very few people in the world have achieved this ranking.

SHOMEN (show-men) The designated front wall of a Dojo.  Often the place where the picture of our founder, Gichin Funakoshi and flags are displayed.

REI (ray)  Bow.  A sign of respect, trust, and appreciation.  May be done while standing, or while kneeling such as at the beginning and end of each class.

Shomen-ni-Rei: bow to the front of the dojo

Sensei-ni-Rei: bow to the teacher

Otagai-ni-Rei: bow to each other

 

COMMANDS

DOMO ARIGATO: Thank you very much.

SEIRETSU (say-retsu) Line up in an orderly fashion.

SEIZA (say-za) Sit.

SHIZENTAI (sheezen-tai) Natural position.

YAME (ya-may) Return to starting position (typically hachiji-dachi)

HAJIME (hajee-may) Begin

KAMAE Get into position, prepare.

MOKUSO (Mook-soo) Close the eyes and meditate.

NAOTTE (na-oh-tay) At ease, relax.

MATTE (ma-tay) Wait.

MAWATE (mawa-tay) Turn into position

YOI (yoh-ee) Ready (both mentally and physically)

YASUMI (ya-sumay) Rest - normally following a long series of drills.

YAME (ya-may) Stop

 

COUNTING   in Japanese

One: ichi (i-chi)

Two: ni (ni)

Three: san (sa-n)

Four: shi (shi)

Five: go (go)

Six: roku (ro-ku)

Seven: shichi (shi-chi)

Eight: hachi (ha-chi)

Nine: ku (ku)

Ten: ju (ju-u)

 

WAZA (Techniques)

Tsuki (tsu-kee) or zuki (zoo-kee): punching

Uke (ou-kay): blocking

Uchi (oo-chee): strike

Keri (ke-ree) or geri (ge-ree): kicking

 

TARGET AREAS on opponent's body:

Jodan (joh-dan): upper level, includes face, neck, and head area

Chudan (choo-dan): middle level, includes the chest, side chest and back area

Gedan (gay-dan): lower level, the lower trunk area

SUNDOME (soon-doe-may): literally "one sun short-stop", used to describe distancing in sparing. Stop just short of the target. For beginners this is about an inch and a half or three centemeters. Thus many beginners think 'san(as in three)-dome'. The correct distance to stop short is more a matter of your control than a distance on a ruler.
The correct distance is often closer and closer as one improves in skill. 
Of interest these dimensions are old historic dimensions: 
one sun is = 1/10 shaku 
1 shaku = 30.3cm 
therefore 1 sun = 3.03cm

 

HIDARI: left

MIGI: right

GYAKU: reverse

AKA: red

SHIRO: white

YOKO: Side.

MAE: front

ZENSHIN: Forward.

USHIRO: back

KEKOMI: thrust

KEAGE: snap

 

BODY PARTS

EMPI (em-pee): elbow

HIZA (hee-zah): knee

KAISHO (kay-sho): open hand, such as in shuto-uke

KENTSUI (ken-tschuee): hammer fist (also known as TETTSUI)

SOKUTO (sokoo-toh): edge of foot, such as in side thrust kick

URAKEN (oo-raken): back of fist

SHUTO (shoo-to): outer surface of hand alongside the small finger

HAITO (haee-to): inner surface of hand alongside the thumb

JODAN TSUKI: upper level punch

CHUDAN TSUKI: middle level punch

GEDAN TSUKI: lower level punch

CHOKU TSUKI: straight punch

GYAKU TSUKI: reverse punch

KAGI ZUKI: hook punch

HASAMI TSUKI: scissor punch

KIZAMI ZUKI: jab

MAWASHI ZUKI: roundhouse punch

MOROTE ZUKI: U-Punch with both fists simultaneously

TATE ZUKI: punch with fist along vertical plane

URA ZUKI: upper cut punch at close range

YAMA ZUKI: mountain Punch, a U-punch, resembles the character for mountain, thus the name.

 

AGE UKE (ah-gay oo-kay):  rising block

UCHI UKE: inside-out block

SOTO UKE: outside block

GEDAN BARAI: lower level block

SHUTO UKE: knife hand block

MOROTE UKE: reinforced (augmented) block

JUJI UKE (joo-jee): X block

KAKIWAKE UKE: X block

MANJI UKE: double block with one arm in gedan barai and the other in uchi uke.

 

EMPI UCHI: elbow strike

HAITO UCHI: ridge-hand strike

KENTSUI UCHI: (Or TETTSUI UCHI) hammer fist strike

MAE EMPI: forward elbow strike

MAWASHI EMPI UCHI: roundhouse (circular) elbow strike

OTOSHI EMPI UCHI: dropping elbow strike

TATE EMPI UCHI: rising elbow strike

TATE URAKEN UCHI: vertical back-fist strike

USHIRO EMPI UCHI: elbow strike aiming behind own body

YOKO MAWASHI EMPI UCHI: side elbow strike

NUKITE: stabbing using the extended index finger or both the index and the middle fingers

 

ASHI BARAI: Foot Sweep

 

GERI (kicks)

MAE GERI KEAGE: front snap kick

MAE GERI KEKOMI: front thrust kick.

MAE ASHI GERI: front kick with the front leg (KIZAMI GERI)

MAWASHI GERI: roundhouse kick

GYAKU MAWASHI GERI: reverse roundhouse kick

USHIRO MAWASHI GERI: inside-out roundhouse kick

HIZA GERI (hee-za): knee kick

MIKAZUKI GERI (meeka-zooki): crescent kick

TOBI GERI (to-bee): jumping kick

USHIRO GERI (oo-shee-ro): back kick

YOKO GERI KEAGE: side snap kick

YOKO GERI KEKOMI: side thrust kick

YOKO TOBI GERI: flying side kick

FUMIKOMI: stomping kick

 

DACHI (dach) (stances)

HACHIJI DACHI (ha-chee-jee): natural stance, feet about one shoulder width apart, toes pointing slightly outward

HEISOKU DACHI: informal attention stance. Feet together, toes pointing straight forward

ZENKUTSU DACHI (zen-koo-tsoo): front stance

KIBA DACHI (kee-ba): horse stance

KOKUTSU DACHI (ko-koo-tsoo): back stance

FUDO DACHI (foo-do): immovable stance, a cross between front and back stance (SOCHIN DACHI)

SANCHIN DACHI (san-cheen): hour-glass stance

HANGETSU DACHI (han-gay-tsoo): "half-moon" stance

GANKAKU DACHI (gan-ka-koo): crane stance

KOSA DACHI: crossed-leg stance

SHIKO DACHI (shee-ko): square stance

 

KUMITE (koumi-tay) Sparring

GOHON KUMITE: five step basic sparring

SANBON KUMITE: three step basic sparring

IPPON KUMITE: one step basic sparring

JIYU IPPON KUMITE: one step free sparring (semi-free sparring)

JUI KUMITE: free sparing

 

STRATEGIES

GO NO SEN: allow the opponent to attack first so as to open up targets for counterattack

INASU: avoid an on-coming attack by removing your body from the line of attack

SEN NO SEN: attack at the exact moment that the opponent attacks

SEN SEN NO SEN: attack before the opponent attacks

TAI SABAKI: shift to remove your body from the line of attack