Akf 03.2015 for web

#3 (6). 2015
«My life loses its meaning
without karate…»
Masao KAGAWA, Technical Director of WKF:
«Athletes of Kazakhstan have one special feature…»
Training of Nguyen Hoan Nan from Vietnam,
the winner of the 19th
Senior World Championship
20 exercises from Ryutaro Araga. Part 2
The oldest participant of the Sports Masters
Championship Shigeru MIYANO:

CHANG, KUANG-HUEI
AKF president
АKF NEWS 4
SPOTLIGHT 14
Masao KAGAWA,
Technical Director of WKF:
«Athletes of Kazakhstan have one
special feature…»
IT IS CURIOUS 19
UFC superstar Kyoji HORIGUCHI:
«I will show the world the beauty of
traditional karate!»
TECHNIQUE 10 New rules 2013. Part V.
22
Training of Nguyen Hoan Nan from
Vietnam, the winner of the 19th
Senior
World Championship
34 20 exercises from Ryutaro
Araga. Part 2
40 Chidori ashi, kosa ashi,
syumoku ashi…
40 Tsuki, geri, undercuts, nage…
Transposition
GUEST OF «AKF magazine» 46 Shigeru MIYANO: «My life loses its
meaning without karate…»
HELPFULL 50 Ways to create athletic body
CONTENTS

Demonstrating
great desire to enter
the Olympic family!
March 23–26, Antonio Espinosa, the
President of the World Karate-Do Federation
(WKF) arrived to Tokyo. He had a meeting with
Mr. Eshihide Suga, the Secretary General of
the Cabinet and the President of the Committee
for Karate-do Promotion concurrently. He also
had a conversation with Mr. Wataru Takeshita,
the Minister of Reconstruction who is Secretary
General of this Committee. Mr. Espinosa also
had a meeting with Mr. Nobuo Kishi, a member
of the Parliament. All senior officials praised
the work of the Olympic Movement to include
karate-do in the Olympics. The General Secretary
of the Cabinet said: “I believe that the karate-do
has all the chances. I wish you success in your
work for the inclusion of karate-do in Olympic
sports before the formation of proposal (by
the Organizing Committee) in September as well
as later. “
The date of adoption
of a formal decision has
been postponed
This increased a chance for a positive solution
of the problem.
The decision on the inclusion of additional
sports in the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo
was delayed until August 2016. The terms of
the original plan have moved more than a year.
According to the Head of WKF, this is positive
thing for karate-do: “Athletes and fans of
many sports around the world are covered
by the desire to include them in the Olympic
Games. But we believe that namely karate-
do is the most suitable candidate due to its
high popularity, a huge number of supporters,
etc. All these arguments are in favor of karate.
And the break in the final decision making will
allow us to strengthen the demonstration of
the support for karate-do throughout the world.
I take additional time as additional opportunity
for us.”
President Espinosa
visits Japan again
The reason for the arrival of the head of WKF was a meeting with Mr. Suga,
the Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers.
(from left to right) Mr. Hashimoto, Executive Director of JKF, Mr. Espinosa,
President of WKF, Mr. Suga, General Secretary of the Cabinet, Mr. Nagura,
General Secretary of WKF, Mr. Kondo, Executive Director of JKF
The meeting with Mr. Takeshita,
the Minister of Reconstruction (the
second from left)
The meeting with Mr. Kishi,
a member of the Parliament
(rightmost)
4

“Preliminary canter
to the Olympics”
September 4–6, the 13th
Asian Karate-do Championship
will be held for the first time
in Japan in the cultural and
sports complex in Yokohama
(Kanagawa Prefecture). Cur
rently, the Executive Com
mittee was commissioned
in JKF and preparation events
are implemented jointly with
the Karate-do Federations
of Yokohama and Kanagawa
Prefecture.
The Championship occurs
during the decision making
on additional spor t s by
the Organizing Committee of
the Olympics-2020. The decision
will be handed over to the IOC.
In this sense, the match is very
symbolic, so the Championship
can be called “preliminary canter
to the Olympics.”
The arrival
of he President
of AKF to Japan
Mr. Chang Kuang-Huei,
President of AKF, Mr. Xu-Hui
Wang, Secretary General and
Mr. Patrick Lim, President of
the Referee Committee arrived
to Yokohama. The guest together
with Mr. Kurihara, Vice President
of JKF and Mr. Nagura, General
Secretar y of WKF visited
the cultural and sports complex
in Yokohama, which will host
the Asian Championship. Tatami,
waiting space for the jury and
the athletes, gyms, meeting
rooms for the organizers, etc.
were carefully inspected by
the delegation.
A courtesy visit to the mayor
of the City of Yokohama
The 13th
Asian Karate-do Championship
will be held six months later.
Mayor Ms. Hayashi (in center) actively supports Budo
The venue for the Asian
Championship will be
the cultural and sports
complex of Yokohama.
Guests exchange views
in the process of examining
the room.
In addition, guests paid a
courtesy call to the mayor of
Yokohama, Ms. Fumiko Hayashi.
In her welcome address, Ms.
Hayashi expressed hope for a
successful tournament and said,
“Yokohama has a partnership
agre ement with Chine s e
Taipei, Beijing and many other
cities in Asia, therefore, this
championship will be a wonderful
and a great opportunity for our
citizens’ cultural interaction and
strengthening of relations with
the representatives of Asian
countries.”
The Championship plans to
gather more than 350 athletes
from 30 countries.
5
#3. 2015

Cadet Male Individual Kumite -52kg
1. Lin Yu Chun (Chinese Taipei)
2. Chau Ka Him (Hong Kong)
3. Kang Jaehyuk (Korea)
3. Yunosuke Minami (Japan)
Cadet Male Individual Kata
1. Toya Tanaka (Japan)
2. Chan Cheuk Shing (Hong Kong)
3. Chiang Ming Sheng (Chinese Taipei)
1. Mikito Kadzhimura (Japan)
Junior Female Individual Kumite -53kg
1. Ibuki Ito (Japan)
2. Ng Ka Ying (Hong Kong)
3. Ding Jiamei (China)
3. Hwang Soohyun (Korea)
Junior Male Individual Kumite -55kg
1. Huang Chun Hsien (Chinese Taipei)
2. Genta Ikezava (Japan)
3. Ye Shuaiqi (China)
1. Hibiki Tamura (Japan)
2. Chung Ho Wing (Hong Kong)
1. Kai Ikezava (Japan)
2. Ko Sangwon (Korea)
3. Shih Cheng Chung (Chinese Taipei)
3. Leong On Di (Macau)
1. Saki Nishikhara (Japan)
2. Chung Ya Ch (Chinese Taipei)
Junior Male Individual Kata
1. Nozomi Yamanaka (Japan)
2. Luh Ta Feng (Chinese Taipei)
3. Chan Ho Hong (Hong Kong)
Junior Female Individual Kata
1. Mizuki Ugay (Japan)
2. Huang Pi Me (Chinese Taipei)
3. U Cheok Wa (Macau)
Junior Female Individual Kumite +59kg
1.Sakura Demachi (Japan)
Male Individual Kumite -68kg
1. Soichiro Nakano (Japan)
2. Lin Jhan Jing (Chinese Taipei)
3. Lee Geunchan (Korea)
Cadet Male Individual Kumite +70kg
1. Toshiki Naganuma (Japan)
2. Li Guan Rong (Chinese Taipei)
1. Suzuna Fuchita (Japan)
2. Arnett Sasha Wong Weng S (Macau)
1. Shiguma Murakami (Japan)
2. Kim Mui (Korea)
3. Wang Hao Feng (Chinese Taipei)
3. Chan Ho Hong (Hong Kong)
Cadet Female Individual Kumite +54kg
1. Yutsuki Savae (Japan)
2. Hung Feng Pin (Chinese Taipei)
Cadet Female Individual Kumite -54kg
1. Sumika Yazava (Japan)
2. Chang Ching Fang (Chinese Taipei)
3. Kwok Hoi Tung (Hong Kong)
Cadet Female Individual Kumite -47kg
1. Ayri Shima (Japan)
2. Hsiao Pei Yu (Chinese Taipei)
2. Fung Ho Ying (Hong Kong)
Cadet Female Individual Kata
1. Кeyto Tano (Japan)
2. Lo Sum Man (Hong Kong)
3. Kwok Suet Ling (Macau)
Date: June 6–7, 2015
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Stadium,
Hong Kong
The 5th
East Asian Senior
Karate Championship
The 4th
East Asian Karate
Championship Juniors
and Cadets
6

Senior Female Individual Kata
1. Emiri Iwamoto (Japan)
2. Lau Mo Sheung Grace (Hong Kong)
3. Kao Hsiang Lin (Chinese Taipei)
Junior Male Individual Kumite +76kg
1. Genki Yazava (Japan)
2. Liu Ping Sheng (Chinese Taipei)
3. Wu Kwun Yin Charles (Hong Kong)
3. Xu Cong (China)
Senior Female Individual Kumite -61kg
1. Мayumi Someya (Japan)
2. Kao Ching Hsiu (Chinese Taipei)
3. Shin Sujung (Korea)
3. Choi Wan Yu (Hong Kong)
1. Ahn Taeeun (Korea)
2. Sara Yamada (Japan)
3. Ma Man Sum (Hong Kong)
3. Hsu Wei Ning (Chinese Taipei)
Senior Male Individual Kumite -50kg
1. Mikho Miyakhara (Japan)
2. Tsang Yee Ting (Hong Kong)
3. Cheung I Ching (Macau)
3. Jang Soyoung (Korea)
1. Seyichiro Tsudzhita (Japan)
2. Lee Feng Jen (Chinese Taipei)
3. Jang Eunsu (Korea)
Senior Male Individual Kata
1. Ryo Kiyuna (Japan)
2. Cheng Tsz Man Chris (Hong Kong)
3. Wang Yi Ta (Chinese Taipei)
3. Kuok Kin Hang (Macau)
Senior Female Individual Kumite +68kg
1. Аyumi Uekusa (Japan)
1. Gu Juyeong (Korea)
2. Cheung Kwan Lok (Hong Kong)
3. Uta Mitoma (Japan)
3. An Boxiang (China)
1. Araga Ryutaro (Japan)
2. Yip Yick Hong (Hong Kong)
3. Liu Shuai (China)
Senior Мale Team Kata
1. Japan
2. Hong Kong
1. Кayo Someya (Japan)
2. Tang Lingling (China)
3. Lim Meeseong (Korea)
1. Hiroto Shinohara (Japan)
2. Son Youngik (Korea)
3. Cheng Fei (China)
3. Lai Chun Yu (Chinese Taipei)
Senior Male Team Kumite
1. Hong Kong
2. China
3. Chinese Taipei
Senior Female Team Kata
1. Japan
2. Macau
3. Hong Kong
1. Lee Ka Wa (Hong Kong)
2. Li Fali (China)
3. Ken Nishimura (Japan)
3. Tai Wei Chieh (Chinese Taipei)
Junior Male Team Kata
1. Chinese Taipei
1. Lee Chun Ho (Hong Kong)
2. Liu Shunxin (China)
3. Liu Chung Chiang (Chinese Taipei)
3. Pun Chan Hou (Macau)
Senior Male Individual Kumite +84kg
1. Cui Wenju (China)
2. Kagawa Hideyoshi (Japan)
3. Singh Shrestha Lok Man (Macau)
3. Cheng Po Jen (Chinese Taipei)
Senior Female Team Kumite
1. Japan
2. China
3. Macau
3. Hong Kong
7
#3. 2015

June 13-14, Baku, the Karate competition was held within the
framework of the European Games–2015.
There was a total of 38 participating countries (out of a total of 53
European Karate Federation member countries).
Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee,
was also among the honored guests.
Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee and Antonio Espinosa, the President of WKF.
8

Men’s Kata
1. QUINTERO Damian Hugo (Spain)
2. BUSATO Mattia (Italy)
3. YAKAN Mehmet (Turkey)
Men’s Kumite –60 kg
1. FARZALIYEV Firdovsi (Azerbaijan)
2. MARESCA Luca (Italy)
3. PAVLOV Emil (The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia)
1. UYGUR Burak (Turkey)
2. DA COSTA Steven (France)
3. ALIYEV Niyazi (Azerbaijan)
1. AGHAYEV Rafael (Azerbaijan)
2. BUSA Luigi (Italy)
3. ELTEMUR Erman (Turkey)
1. MAMAYEV Aykhan (Azerbaijan)
2. TZANOS Michail Georgios (Greece)
3. AKTAS Ugur (Turkey)
Men’s Kumite +84 kg
1. ERKAN Enes (Turkey)
2. HORNE Jonathan (Germany)
3. NESTOROVSKI Martin (The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia)
Women’s Kata
1. SANCHEZ JAIME Sandra (Spain)
2. SCORDO Sandy (France)
3. BOZAN Dilara (Turkey)
Women’s Kumite –50 kg
1. OZCELIK Serap (Turkey)
2. PLANK Bettina (Austria)
3. RECCHIA Alexandra (France)
1. THOUY Emily (France)
2. KOVACEVIC Jelena (Croatia)
3. GASIMOVA Ilaha (Azerbaijan)
1. IGNACE Lucie (France)
2. COBAN Merve (Turkey)
3. LENARD Ana (Croatia)
1. ZARETSKA Irina (Azerbaijan)
2. BUCHINGER Alisa Theresa (Austria)
3. RAKOVIC Marina (Montenegro)
Women’s Kumite +68 kg
1. MARTINOVIC Masa (Croatia)
2. HOCAOGLU Meltem (Turkey)
3. ZAYTSEVA Ivanna ( Russian Federation)
We present to your attention results
of Karate competition EG 2015
Participants of the Karate competition EG 2015 and special guests, including the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Bach,
the President of WKF, Mr. Espinosa, the Secretary General of WKF, Mr. Nagura, the President of JKF, Mr. Sasagawa and others.
9
#3. 2015

10
Answers
for questions
Part V
Seminar for referees
If an athlete
requires to stop
the meeting
One of the athletes dropped his glove in the process of a duel, and he
asked to stop the fight by means of gestures. Should the main referee
stop the fight?
The main referee stops
the meeting to ensure the safety
of the fight, but not in any
case on the request of one of
the athletes.
Pursuant to both new and
the old rules the main referee
may stop the fight for the safety
of athletes, if he sees that
someone dropped the gloves,
helmet is shifted, kimono
is moved down, etc. If the Side
Referees have noticed something
like this, they must signal using
the flags above their heads.
However, the meeting should
never be stopped on the request
of the athletes in any case.
We had to s e e how
the athletes showed their desire
to stop the meeting, and the Chief
Referee stopped the fight.
However, athletes should not
dictate their terms and influence
on the Chief Referee. It is best not
to rely on the fact that the referee
will put himself in your place and
take into account your wish. After
all, most of the meeting continues
without interruption.
There are cases, when an
athlete tries to avoid fighting with
a rival. In the worst case, such an
athlete just spins out time or tries
to stop the fight, intentionally
removing or shifting protectors,
etc. Such actions could be
interpreted as a refusal to fight,
an avoidance of protection and
referred to actions for combat
evasion, which do not allow
the enemy to conduct attacks.
For example, let it even be
unintentional, but if the athlete
repeatedly allows himself to drop
the glove, slide protector or has
a problem with the uniform, you
need to give him C2 warning (*).
* If the athlete repeatedly
has problems with protective
uniform, and if these problems
come from the athlete, the Chief
Referee may ask him to change
this uniform. At the same time,
just one minute is provided
to change it. If an athlete
does not succeed to do it, he
is excluded from the tournament.
If the athlete does not comply
with the referee (or refuses to
change the uniform), he will be
disqualified.
New rules

11
#3. 2015
If “Yame” command was not
given, the meeting should
continue.
“Yame”. Checking clothing
and continuing the meeting.
C2 warning
April 1, 2013 All-Japan Karate Federation has introduced new rules of
the competition. Despite the fact that many members of the referee committees
study and successfully master the new rules in practice, misunderstandings arise
quite often because the new regulations are markedly different from the old
in part of the refereeing. Given the situation, the JKFan editorial board under
the support of the Referee Committee of the All-Japan Karate Federation decided
to prepare a series of publications containing explanations of controversial and
complex issues arising in referee practice. If you have any questions about new
rules in the field of refereeing, please contact the editors of our magazine.
“Yame”
command
And it is necessary to issue from the main principle in refereeing:
the Chief Referee stops the meeting to ensure the safety of the fighters,
but not in any case on the request of one of the athletes.
Sure, the problem with uniform
may arise due to the fault of
the opponent in various kumites,
or simply because it was damaged
and out of order. Every situation
should be considered individually.
The referees must show
ma x imum at t e nt io n and
immediately give “ Yame”
command, if necessary. This
is especially applicable to
refereeing tournaments with
the participation of the young
athletes and inexperienced
athletes, since the probability of
the problems with the uniform can
lead to injury is greater in their
case. Here it is necessary to act
according to the situation: either to
give “Yame” command or continue
the duel, or give C2 warning to
someone of the athletes.
What the coaches have to
say to their disciples?
We would like the coaches
tell their students the idea that
the referee might not cooperate
with them. At best, the referee
can ignore their request to stop
the fight, and at worst (if this
requirement has no ground) he
may give them C2 warning as
the punishment.
These actions have one more
drawback: while the athlete
is trying to attract the referee’s
attention to stop the meeting or
while the athlete puts on or sets
his uniform, if the referee does
not stop the fight, the athlete may
miss the hit of an opponent, and
then the opponent will get a point.
That is why, it is so important
to you, dear athletes, to check
your uniform before going to
the mat and be confident in its
reliability and security. And even
if you dropped something out
of uniform, or it shifts during
the fight, try not to lose your
temper. Wait for the right moment
to move away to a safe distance
and fix it quickly. At the same time,
watch out for opponent, in order
not to miss a hit.
(To be continued)

In the next issue of our
magazine will present
an interview with Mr.
Shigeo Kurihara, the
Vice President of AKF
and JKF.
This name is
indissolubly related
to history of JKF
and Asian Karate in
a whole.

The activity of Karate Goodwill Ambas
sadors-2020 is intended to present karate at various
presentations and promotions aimed at the karate
entry in the official sports of the Olympics and
Paralympic Games Tokyo-2020.
And we have got reinforcements! According to
JKF’s decision dated April 16, the Greek athlete
Georgina Xenos was appointed as a Goodwill
Ambassador.
Xenos started practicing karate at early age, but
she was diagnosed terrible disease in 2011 and
Georgina’s life was put at risk. The doctors advised
her to stop practicing karate. Enormous strength of
will helps Xenos to fight for life courageously. And
after all Georgina started to practice karate again.
In addition, she won the championship of Greece.
And now, Xenos is part of the national team of
Greece.
According to Georgina, Rika Usami helped her to
overcome incurable disease to a large extent. Having
seen her performance at the World Championship
in Paris, the Greek athlete decided at any cost to
achieve the same level: “I wanted to get well as
soon as possible, do karate, and get a little closer to
Usami,” shared her thoughts Xenos. Thus, the world
champion unwittingly became the impetus to life
and gave Xenos forces to overcome a severe illness.
Meeting of the champions
Xenos realized her dream and came to Japan
under the support of the Make A Wish Foundation
in Japan. April 16, Mr. Sasagawa, the President of
JKF, presented Xenos the Certificate of Karate-do
Goodwill Ambassador during a press conference.
Moreover, she was able to have training directly with
her idol Usami during her stay in Japan, as well as
participate in joint trainings in Tsurugaoka Karate-
do High School under the University of Japan.
We would like to recall that Rika Usami, Yuri
Iwata and Mahiro Takano were appointed as
Goodwill Ambassadors in this February, and Xenos
became the first foreign Ambassador. A variety of
advertising campaigns to support karate-do have
been planned with her participation.
Georgina Xenos, a Goodwill Ambassador (right).
Mr. Sasagawa, the President of JKF presented the Certificate
at a press conference held on April 16. Left – Rika Usami.
Georgina Xenos
Was born on June 10, 1997 in Greece.
In addition to karate-do she is
professionally engaged in swimming
and athletics. She speaks English and
German. In December 2011, the doctors
pronounced the diagnosis – a malignant
lymphoma, Xenos goes a long rehabilitation
after the surgery. After that she takes part
actively in various tournaments both within
the country and abroad. She is the winner
of the Championship of Greece, the bronze
medalist of the World Juniors and Cadets
Championships-2013.
Xenos is a Goodwill Ambassador
To be a champion overcoming the illness
13
#3. 2015

The hero of this article is often in the
center of our attention. JKFan devoted a lot
of pages to his activities. For many years
he was inextricably linked with the Teikyo
University which is a source of manpower
for the national team, the Head Coach
of which he was. Now the experience
of professional athlete and team leader
is used far beyond Japan. Today, Masao
Kagawa is the Technical Director of WKF.
But all that is connected with the domestic
karate is still in sight of the former coach
of the national team. This is especially
relates to his native style Shotokan, which
is in the process of conversion in Japan:
to replace the JKA, which existed as part
of JKF, AJKS appeared as new structure of
Shotokan.MasaoKagawavisitedKazakhstan
as a representative of this structure and
held a seminar for Central Asian athletes.
Although, as Sensei who visited our country
for the first time recognized, the seminar
was not the main purpose of his visit…
To trace the path of a coach of the team
of one of the major powers in the world of
karate and find out what awaits us in the
future, you can read an interview with Masao
Kagawa.
Masao Kagawa:
Athletes
of Kazakhstan
have one special
feature...
by Gulaim Khairulla
photo: Konstantin Knyazevich
14

Kagawa: I quite early was left without parents: my
father died, when I was 10, and my mother passed
away five years later. Our family had four children.
I am the youngest among them. My brother is 11
years older than me. It’s quite a big difference, so he
was more like a father for me. My brother practiced
Shotokan Karate. He had to take part in the Japan
Championship and offered me to go with him due to
the reason that probably, it was his last performance.
It was a memorable event in my life at that time, since I
had to go to Tokyo for the first time. I belong to Osaka.
Did you ever hear about Shinkansen high-speed train
which runs in the direction of the capital? Thus, I was
looking forward to this trip, the first in my life…
I first saw the karate competitions, which were
held at Budokan arena in Japan. I was affected by
the splendor of the room and even more by the victory
of my brother. This was enormous euphoria and joy…
When I returned to Osaka, I asked my brother to work
out with me.
JKFan: How old were you then?
Kagawa: My brother was 28, and I was 17. Prior
to that I played baseball and wanted to become
professional baseball player. But I’m not tall with
slow legs and curve hands (laughs), and after throwing
the ball my elbows or something else hurt. Even then
I knew that I would not enter the elite of baseball
players and decided to practice karate.
“Set realistic goals”, says the well-known slogan
of television advertising, when you hear a person’s
own assessment full of self-irony. But how realistic
was a Sensei’s goal, who decided to change
radically his interests at age of 17?
Kagawa: Before this I never practiced karate and
whatsoever techniques. My brother did not just teach
me. Once, when I was 15, I asked him to teach me
some techniques. But he did not do that. The reason
for the denial was my answer to his question “Why
do you need this?” I said that I want to win in fights.
And my brother said he doesn’t want to teach me for
such a purpose.
15
#3. 2015

Masao Kagawa:
«I believe for 100 % that we get to the Olympics».
JKFan: And yet you were able to realize your
plans. Do you remember the first competitions you
participated in?
Kagawa: It was a regional tournament in Osaka.
While I was high school student, I have already won
the competitions among students.
JKFan: Did sporting success largely determine
your choice? I mean entering Teikyo University?
Kagawa: Yes, I was 21 then. I entered the university
with the aim to become the champion of Japan
and the world. At that time karate organization as
the structure was the strongest in Japan. I have
cherished another dream at that time: to travel around
the world thanks to karate and teach people this art.
For this purpose I entered Teikyo University.
JKFan: And as a result you became the Head
Coach of this University…
Kagawa: Yes, I am a coach, a trainer and Shihan.
JKFan: Let’s say, Teikyo is a provider of personnel
for the Japanese national team, isn’t it?
Kagawa: Yes, it is. But this was not always the case.
Previously, the athletes of the university were weak.
Teikyo was the second-tier university. Education was
based on the traditional karate under the direction of
Sensei Abe. By the way, he was Senpai of my brother.
JKFan: Earlier traditional karate was practiced
at the university; you have come and set up sport
karate there. Don’t you feel guilty?
Kagawa: Yes, you are right. But it is necessary
to understand that before I took over the reins,
the section taught karate using which it was
impossible to win a sparring.
As for the feeling of guilt… Earlier the relation
to traditional and sport karate was different.
It was believed that sport karate is assigned to win
the tournaments and traditional karate is for personal
growth, in order to become stronger both physically
and mentally. When I entered the university, karate
meant exhausting and hard training. Everyone shall
stand in front of Sensei seriously, it was even forbidden
to smile and show your white teeth (laughs), etc. All
that sensei says you had to unquestioningly accept
with the word “osu”. We were in direct subordination.
All this is a part of traditional karate.
JKFan: Is that bad?
Kagawa: While we do not even think it is bad or
good, we took it for granted as a matter of course.
Sure, it was difficult, due to this reason many people
gave under…
Masao Kagawa passed all stages of karate
training, starting from traditional karate and
ending teaching of karate as a sport, and he was
a champion many times. Therefore, his perception
of traditions is based on many years of experience.
Courage and determination are needed to
make a choice at that time. But the course for
the development of sport martial art taken by
Kagawa only strengthened since then. To do
this, another compelling argument emerged –
the Olympic Games.
JKFan: Are Olympic Games important for karate?
Kagawa: Yes, sure. It is important that this kind of
Budo to became recognized by the society. It should
be acknowledged not by one part that practices or
knows karate but another that does not have any
relation to it.
I am sure that karate should be an Olympic sport.
There will be not development and progress without
changes.
JKFan: Do you mean a sport is a progress of
karate?
Kagawa: Undoubtedly, traditional karate does
not contribute to the progress. It is the same as
kobu-do (old martial arts). Kobu-do includes so
many organizations, but they seem to have stopped
their development. Few people deal with them,
and the number of organizations becomes less
and less. Only kendo develops now in kobu-do. To
tell the truth, the members of kendo don’t want to
enter in the Olympics, they adhere to the traditional
approach.
16

The aim of the seminar was to cover all aspects of karate: kata, kihon and kumite of Shotokan.
Kumite of Kazakhstan athletes is very high, so we hardly touched this topic at the first day of the seminar.
JKFan: Is your position on the status of karate
related to the new role of the Technical Director
of WKF?
Kagawa: This is both my personal and professional
opinion.
JKFan: Previously, this post was held by Sakumoto
Sensei. Did you meet your predecessor after your
appointment?
Kagawa: Yes, I did.
JKFan: Did he give you any parting words? Will your
policy differ from the old one?
Kagawa: We have totally different approaches.
Sakumoto Sensei came from Okinawa, so he is the
representative of the traditional view. For example, he
is more conservative in kata; Sensei did not speak a
lot about kumite. He almost did not take part in the
disputes and just listened more and tried to unite all.
I have other tasks.
JKFan: Which of them is primary for you?
Kagawa: First, you must understand the rules
and change them in direction of the Olympics. For
example, now the fights last up to eight points. I
think that six is enough. For example, ippon is 3
points. And if the athlete took ippon twice, it is 6
points already and the fight should be stopped,
even if time is not over yet. It is unnecessary to
prolong it up to 8 points. Let’s consider the last
World Championship. It presented more than 100
meetings including all categories of male and female
kata and kumite. When implementing analysis on the
number of points obtained by an athlete, we come to
the conclusion that only few meetings among such
huge amount come up to 8 points, all other athletes
usually earn 3–6 and goes to defense. There is no
need to stretch the fight to 8 points, which actually
ends earlier.
What is the result of artificial delay in the fight?
Entertainment of the match is lost. If you reduce
the time, the competition becomes more intense.
The second problem that needs to be solved
is technical aspects. For example, when applying
uramavashi the attacker falls by himself without
zanshin. Nevertheless, the athlete gets a point
for this. In my opinion, if the athlete fell after such
geri, it witnesses that the absence of zanshin and
underdeveloped balance. Let’s take the figure skating.
If an athlete decides to jump even with four spins and
falls, the athlete loses the scores. The same situation
is in the gym. If an athlete landed pretty clear after
the jump, he gets additional points. And it is clear to
everyone, any audience. Similar situation should be
in karate. The awarding of points should be clear to
everyone. Olympics imply that sport, which entered
into the program, will be watched by the people
who know nothing about karate. And the rules must
be simple. It is impossible to create difficulties.
Sometimes even the athletes themselves wonder why
the point is given for such geri?
Judge for yourself. According to current rules,
it turns out that a point is received by the one who
kicked, despite the fact that he fell. And it is wrong.
Even from the perspective of the viewer, the one who
remained standing looks stronger. After all, you cannot
fall in the martial arts, if you fall, this is a defeat.
17
#3. 2015

Masao Kagawa
Was born in 1955 in Osaka Prefecture.
While studying at the Teikyo University, he was the captain
of the team for four years and led his team to victory at the 22nd
Championship of the Japan Karate-do Association. He was twice
winner of the championships held by this association. Later he
became the coach of the karate section of the Teikyo University.
In 2008, the university team has become four-time national
champion in the team classification. In 2009, the students of
the Teikyo University won the “gold” for the second time under
the supervision of Kagawa. The national team under the leadership
of Masao Kagawa won prizes at many international competitions,
including the “gold” in the team classification at the 22nd World
Championship in Germany.
In 2014 Masao Kagawa took the position as Technical Director
of WKF.
PROFILE
Fallen athlete plays the role of a loser in wrestling,
judo, i.e. all martial arts.
JKFan: Do you think that new rules recently
introduced by WKF are comprehensible to
the audience?
Kagawa: The rules were simplified. Undoubtedly,
there are some nuances. For example, if earlier all
the athletes were practicing throwing with both hands,
now it is necessary to reconsider this approach.
This prohibition also causes a lot of difficulties for
Japanese athletes. Previously, they had to develop a
strategy to counter, in order not to be thrown on the
mat, and that’s when they learned and even succeed
to perform nage, these skills are not needed, and they
have to be retrained, adapt and develop new ways to
perform throws using one hand.
JKFan: What is currently the most popular
technique in the world?
Kagawa: They are the simplest techniques, for
example, kizami-tsuki. As well as chudan tsuki and
geri techniques are in demand. Now, the undercuts
will be used more often.
JKFan: Is this related to new rules?
Kagawa: Yes, it is due to changes in rules.
The techniques become more simplified, and basic
techniques come to the fore.
JKFan: Whom do you, as a long-term coach of
the national team of Japan, consider as the most
important competitor in the international arena?
Kagawa: First of all, this is a team of Iran.
JKFan: The last World Championship showed that
the class of Asian Karate is higher than European one.
Do you agree with that?
Kagawa: Yes, undoubtedly. Iran became
the winner, Japan became the third, and the team of
Egypt is also strong. Asian athletes won due to simple
technique and demonstrated strong spirit.
JKFan: Do you think that the Asian Karate
is different from European one due to the presence
of strong spirit?
Kagawa: Yes, morale and internal strength of Asian
and European athletes are different. The cultural
aspect, the atmosphere in which one or the other
competitor was raised and grown play important role
in this. All aspects strongly influence on the formation
of the athlete’s morale.
Masao Kagawa claims that morale is one of
the main components of success. Here is what
he said in one of his previous interviews: “Teikyo
University differs from many other due to strong
morale. We try to create an atmosphere suitable
to arouse the desire to practice karate with full
dedication. This is only way to form a force of
spirit. “
JKFan: Do you watch the performances of the top
foreign athletes?
Kagawa: Yes. I watch and analyze.
JKFan: Do Kazakhstan athletes enter your list?
Kagawa: Kazakhstan athletes perform well.
They have strong spirit. They know how to work
with the distance. It is difficult to dodge from
them. The Kazakhs has one feature, if they find
the opponent’s weak point, they strike at it obligatory.
On the mat, they carefully watch the opponent, and
attack him as soon as the opponent opens up. They
know well both seme waza (techniques of attack),
and defensive techniques. Therefore, they have
the following results: they are rarely eliminated from
the championship after the first two meetings, almost
always reach the semi-finals and finals. They always
take the “silver” and “bronze” if not “gold”.
18

Kyoji horiguchi,
“i will show the world the beauty
of traditional karate!”
Author: Hiromi Kikuchi
KyojiHoriguchiofIchigoClub
The athlete Kyoji Horiguchi (in the center) is in the Ichigo Club’s dojo, where he
trains every Friday. Left - Hirotaka Nihei Sensei, the coach of the dojo.
Kyoji Horiguchi. This 23-year-old athlete has shaken the world of mixed martial arts. In
last October he made his debut in one of the most prestigious tournaments of the world –
UFC, Mixed Martial Arts - where he surprisingly knocked out all his rivals. The movements
of traditional karate are at the heart of his style. In any competition he is committed to the
traditional karate-do and successfully demonstrated its extraordinary beauty and strength.
The guy showing
all the beauty
of traditional karate
19

The title of the world champion does not prevent Kyoji
to come to practice and train with children every Friday.
Ichigo Club is dojo, where the athlete Horiguchi started his
practice.
The speech of Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC
Championship, who has demonstrated
the traditional karate, excited the rostrum.
The name of the athlete is still on the lips
of all those involved in the world of mixed
martial arts.
Horiguchi showed karate he knows
starting from his childhood. And I think
it is no exaggeration to say that his mind-
boggling speed and unexpected technique
of performance of geri and tsuki from
different distances shocked everyone who
watched this tournament.
Trainings have become a tradition
Horiguchi attends karate section of
Ichigo Club in Ashikaga city in Tochigi
Prefecture. He exercises here starting from
the middle school. Inspired by the mixed
martial arts, Kyoji still has not changed his
traditions: he still comes for the training
every Friday. Hirotaka Nihei Sensei –
the father of the famous brothers Takuro
and Ryuu, the members of the national
team – teaches at this section. Horiguchi
is age mate of Yeshiu, the third son of
Sensei. They participated together in the
interschool competitions, when Horiguchi
studied at Sakushin Gakuin High School.
During fights Kyoji Horiguchi demon
strates absolute confidence in the advan
tage of his speed. He became interested
in mixed martial arts while being the senior
high school student. Popular “Pride”
broadcast became a trigger for the start of
classes as well as huge belief in himself.
“When I first watched “Pride”, it seemed
to me that the athletes are moving slowly,
and the distance was too close. And then
I thought: “Why cannot I try it myself?!”
remembers the athlete.
The study at high school was left behind,
and Kyoji moved to Tokyo, entered Krazy
Bee School. And here the belief in him
turned into self-confidence. “I realized
that the opponent will not be able to
repel an attack, no matter how he tried,
when to attack from unexpected for him
the distance.” The understanding of this
simple rule, at first glance, helped Kyoji
in the future to achieve the impressive
results, which are mentioned above. He
reached a great success and a glory.
According to the athlete’s words, a
traditional karate is a foundation, some
basis of his technique. And the reason why
Horiguchi regularly attends training in Ichigo
Club is on the surface. “That’s what I do,
this is karate. If I lose that, then I will have to
start everything from scratch… Otherwise I
do not win,” said the athlete.
Kyoji Horiguchi pays great attention to
daily exercises during which time and again
persistently works out the basic techniques.
Kyoji
Horiguchi,
“I’m just
practice
karate.”
Kyoji Horiguchi
Born on October 12, 1990 in Gunma Prefecture. He began to study karate as 5-year-old boy. As a student of high
school, he enrolled in karate section of Sakushin Gakuin High School. He has experience of participation in school
championships.
Having finished the school, he moved to Tokyo, entered Krazy Bee School, headed by Norifumi Yamamoto, known as Kid
in sporting circles, and achieved success in mixed martial arts. In 2009, Kyoji won the Amateur Shooto Tournament,
the amateur qualifying tournament. And he first entered the professional arena in May of the next year. In 2010, he
won the tournament Shoto – Kitzawa in the weight category up to 60 kg, and he was recognized as the world champion
according to Shoto version in March, 2013. In October, he made his debut in UFC, the championship of mixed martial
arts and was brilliant in all his fights. Today Horiguchi is the most popular Japanese athlete in the world of mixed martial
arts, full of promise.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is sports organization based in Las Vegas (USA), which holds fights in mixed rules.
Originally UFC was conceived by the organizers as a one-time event, which allows determining the most effective martial
art. However, the first tournament held in 1993 in Denver was truly a great success and became the motive to conduct
new championships. In the future, these spectacular shows turned into a separate sport. The strongest athletes, famed
champions who have achieved the greatest heights in the sport participated in UFC held once a month. We can say that
this is the biggest arena of mixed martial arts.
20

In March 2013, the world learned the name
of Kyoji Horiguchi, new champion according
to Shoto version in the weight category up
to 60 kg. Today this athlete attracted the
attention of all fans of mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts are short of speed and
distance, which are in traditional karate.
Horichuchi, rushing from such a distance, looks
intimidating to opponents.
Horiguchi (rightmost) with other athletes of
karate section of Sakushin Gakuin School.
Speech at the interscholastic sports day.
Beloved dojo of Kyoji Horiguchi. Its walls are decorated
with photos and articles about the famous alumni.
Hirotaka Nihei, the Head of Ichigo Club.
And workouts at Ichigo Club of Nihei Sensei, favorite
school teacher, give him an opportunity to correct,
rectify deficiencies, and thus to get maximum benefit
from the daily workouts.
Every action of Horiguchi was influenced by coach
Nihei. “He is a very single-minded and obedient –
Sensei says about his pupil. – His judgments and
his behavior were always different from the others.
Kyoji has not possibility to visit the dojo every day,
he works out on Fridays, and I see that during these
workouts he tries to learn everything and remember
everything on the first try. Therefore, I am happy
to teach him everything that I know.” Of course,
the coach teaches Horiguchi according to the rules
of the Karate Federation, but he also includes in the
curriculum the analysis of mixed martial arts.
Ichigo Club
is the starting point…
Ichigo Club serves as a starting point for Horiguchi,
not only in terms of technique. The photos and copies
of newspaper articles about him hang on the walls of
his dojo. At the tournaments he always carries with
him a towel of this school, as it is like a talisman for
him, and the students of the dojo come together to
cheer for him. When Horiguchi debuted in UFC, all
students of the dojo gathered in the home of Nihei
Sensei and live monitored the fights.
On Fridays, Horiguchi practices himself in the dojo
and trains little children. He loves the kids and takes
care of them as their elder brother. And Kyoji has
his favorite hobby – he goes fishing together with
the grandchildren of Nihei Sensei.
The athletes taking exercises in this dojo work
in different areas, they have different interests and
different ways of life, but for each of them the dojo
became strong, united family. “We have become
accustomed to the fact that all students and their
parents called Nihei Sensei as “father Nihei”, says
Umineko with a smile, elder daughter of the coach.
The atmosphere of love and mutual understanding
that prevails in this dojo gives Horiguchi mental
strength and energy helping him to meet his dream…
“I will take on board all
that is best in karate”
Horiguchi is driven by a great desire to show
the world the benefits of traditional karate. Like all
fans of mixed martial arts, Kyoji dreamed for a long
time to appear on the UFC arena. And now he intends
to continue the fights against the strongest athletes
in the world. He is committed to ensuring that his
traditional karate to become a new style in UFC.
“I think that the other martial arts come short
of speed and distance comparing with karate.
These benefits are fundamental for me. I will take
on board all that is best in karate”, said Horiguchi. He
is confident that he will be able to show the beauty
of traditional karate in fights at the most prestigious
martial arts arena of the world.
21

Nguyen Hoan Nan
The winner of the 19th
Senior World Championship
№4/2015 JKFan/22
22

Nguyen Hoan Nan
from Vietnam
“The fact that the championship was held
in Japan and that I had a duel with the Japanese
athlete in the semifinals was a big success for
me. If this had happened in the final, I would have
had much more difficult situation,” said Nan after
the World Championship held in 2008 in Japan.
On the question of the choice of kata the champion
said that everything depends on strategy developed
jointly with the coach, competition format, rules and
participants.
This question is not idle. To achieve the best
results at the World Championship, Vietnamese
athlete meticulously studied kata of other trends,
listened to the advice of experienced foreign
coaches, visited a lot of tournaments and felt
the atmosphere of international championships.
Authors: Katsu Koike and Aina Kobinata
№4/2015 JKFan/23
(article was published in 2010 –
editor’s note)
23

1. Everything started from the movie
“Journey to the West”…
11-year-old Nguyen Hoan Nan appeared in the
sports center with a desire to understand karate
after watching this film. Two years later she took part
in the Cadets Championship in Hanoi, where she was
noticed by the national team coach, Pam Sensei who
is educated, versatile man, fluent in Chinese, Russian
and English.
After some time Southeast Asian Games were
held, where the team from Vietnam won in kumite,
but was defeated in kata.
Someone said that the level of the Vietnamese kata
does not meet the world level. These words turned
consciousness of Nan and became the beginning of
the way to her cherished goal – the “gold” of World
Championship.
Talent, which Pam Sensei have seen in her,
slowly blossomed and disclosed largely thanks to
the grueling training schedule set by the teacher for
new student. “When preparing for the Southeast
Asian Games 2003, we trained hard for 8–10 hours a
day for five months,” said Nguyen. That championship
was special for the national team of Vietnam as
it took place in their home country. Hopes came true.
The first time in the history of the Vietnamese kata
Nan brought victory in the international tournament.
Moreover, she received the “gold” in two categories
of kata: individual and team. The victory was turning
point for both the sport community of the country
and personally for Nan. Since now she will represent
karate of Vietnam at the World Championships.
However, the debut was unsuccessful. The World
Championship 2004 in Mexico witnessed the defeat
of Nan. But two years later Vietnamese athlete got
herself talked about at the World Championship
in Finland. In the semifinals, Nan beat the main
favorite of the Championship, Azusa Tomigusuku,
and reached the finals. The meeting with the Italian
athlete Batagriya did not bring Nan the success, but
this result has surpassed all her expectations. “My
group consisted of strong athletes, and I did not
expect such result,” shared Nan later.
It happened so that the Japanese team occupied
female kata pedestal for a long time, sometimes
the athletes from France, Italy and Spain succeeded
to take it.
Nan decided to change the tradition and ensure
that the pedestal to be occupied by new representative
of Asia.
To reach the top meant for Nan not only to realize
the hopes of Vietnam Karate-do Federation and all
her fans, but also to realize her dream associated
with the World Championship 2008 to win in Japan,
the birthplace of karate. To implement this plan, Nan
threw all her strength.
2. The global strategy
(To become a master of kata of other flows)
To learn how to “read” the opponents and not be
inferior in skill, you need to have the same skills and
knowledge as they have. Nan adopted this generally
known rule.
Nguyen who studied only Shotokan style earlier
began to explore other flows of kata such as Shito-
ryu, Goju-ryu, Ryuei-ryu. It took many months, she
had to go to Japan several times for a long time to
train there. Nguyen was able to participate in trainings
of various dojo of other karate styles thanks to
the relations between the Karate Federations of
Vietnam and Japan existed for more than 20 years,
as well as personal relations of Pam Sensei.
Restless 2008
Year 2008 started. Pam Sensei made travel plan,
mostly overseas, citing the fact that participation
in domestic tournament does not give the professional
growth. Prior to the championship Nan performed
at the competitions in Germany, Turkey, France and
Norway.
Nguyen Hoan Nan
Was born on November 21, 1984 in Hanoi (Vietnam). The family
has four children. She started to practice karate at age of 11. When
finishing the high school, she was completely devoted to the sport
and won the World Championship in Tokyo in 2008.
love for glory
24

All tournaments ended with the victory of
sportswoman from Vietnam. Consolidating her skills
and gaining experience, Nguyen increasingly imbued
the atmosphere of international tournaments,
and even started to understand some features of
refereeing. But it is most important that she was able
to cope with the excitement that covers every athlete
at the big competitions.
Long before the start of the championship
Summer, 2008. Nan came to Japan three months
earlier the start of the World Championship. She
began to train at the dojo of Seiro Aragaki Sensei,
who taught her Goju-Ryu kata. But Nan together with
other students performed Sanchin kata technique
and worked using chishi.
2003. Winning at the Southeast Asian Games in both categories
of kata: individual and team. This victory became the first at the
international level for both her and karate of Vietnam.
November 14, 2008. Budokan of Japan
This is the third World Championship in sport career of Nan. And
the fight with Batagriya (Italy) was again in the semifinals, whom
Nan lost the final of the last World Championship to. Four referees
raised the flags in her favor for “instinctively made” Annan.
25
#3. 2015

Aragaki Sensei remembered
the time: “Nan showed incredible
dedication and zeal and she
fulfilled everything that she was
required very obediently without
whims and disputes.”
Hidehisa Haseme Sensei from
Hakushin-kai school, renshin, was
a friend of Pam Sensei for many
years and took patronage over
Nguyen on his request. Training
took place twice a day for three
months.
Sensei described his first
impression of acquaintance with
Nan as following: “The impression
was not very optimistic, if we take
into account her charm, then
it would be difficult to win for her.
However, she had more strength
than enough. And she had one
important quality, the willingness
to changes.”
Other athletes of dojo also
wondered to her progress and
strong desire to win. However,
it was not enough to prepare for
the World Championship. Haseme
Sensei found a way in more
reinforced trainings. “If only
three months are available, it is
necessary to prepare so to become
a champion in three months. Do
not idle away. I tried to praise Nan
frequently, encourage her during
the trainings. When learning new
kata, I explained its meaning and
purpose,” said Sensei.
What is her fascinating power in?
I think that Naoto Uragami Sensei
form Shizuoka School played
important role that she acquired
such power. Sensei serves in the
army and trains in Shotokan style.
Nan visits his classes for six years
mainly focusing on the forceful uke.
Vietnamese athlete did not care
about any life circumstances such
as a stay in foreign country, a lack
of language knowledge and high
prices. Nguyen was much more
worried by the question: how to
overcome the fear which emerged
after two major misfortunes –
the defeat in the finals at the World
Championship in Finland and at the
Asian Games?
“I took the 2nd place, because I
have lost my balance in the stance.
The same mistake was made at the
Asian Games. As a result of this
“double” I was afraid of repetition
of such blunders in the future.
But I managed to overcome my
fear, and it has happened largely
due to Haseme Sensei. I did not
understand Japanese, but Sensei
controlled all of my actions with
gestures and movements, and
as soon as I lost my balance,
he immediately corrected me,”
says Nan.
Soon the athlete had to
make sure, how she was able
to strengthen her fighting spirit
as the World Championship was
approaching.
3. Tokyo. World
Championship 2008.
And the event Nan was waiting
recent years came. November
14, 2008, the representative of
Vietnam went to the mat under
the rays of searchlights and
in the spotlight. It was the World
Championship in Tokyo.
Absolute
confidence
Three months before the World Championship. Trainings of Nan held at Hakushin-kai School
under the leadership of Hidehisa Haseme Sensei (above).
26

Haseme Sensei stayed nearby and saw the state
of his student: “Absolutely nothing bothered her:
neither the audience nor the excitement around,
nothing. Her eyes betrayed a desire to fight and
start her kata as soon as possible. This commitment
is worth a lot,” said Sensei later.
Nan was absolutely confident in her victory. This
confidence was reinforced by the preparation with
long and grueling workouts. She was sustained
by great desire to take revenge for past lackluster
performances. And it seems to have played decisive
role in her progress.
And another factor affected the commitment of
Nan. The Championship was held at the home of
karate, and it was a dream of the girl to win here
in Japan and namely in kata. And Nguyen tended to
its implementation.
In the semifinals, the representative of the host
country of the Championship, Kasuga Wakabayashi,
was out on the mat to present her signature kata –
Chyatan Yara Kusanku. The referees’ decision taken
in favor of Nan meant Nan has chosen right strategy.
The final was a repetition of the last World
Championship. Nan fought against Batagriya
from Italy. But this time Nguyen’s form was totally
different. “I did not think of anything. I focused
on the performance and followed the direction of
my instinct,” says Nan. And the athlete succeeded.
Nan won with score of 4:1. She literally cried at the
moment when the results were announced. Many
long trips to various international tournaments,
staying in another country for long and hard trainings
were not in vain, she was paid a tribute for all
the hardships.
(Right) Nan with Pam Sensei, her mentor and the coach of
the national team of Vietnam. He did a lot for Nan to win, but he
does not forget about the Japanese colleagues: “We are very
grateful to JKF for assistance in terms of technical trainings.”
Seiro Aragaki, the Head of the Goju-kai School of JKF, who trained
Nan the basics of Goju-Ryu philosophy.
27
#3. 2015

“I succeeded to win at the World Championship not
only due to the experience acquired abroad and trainings
with foreign instructors. I had the physical strength that
emerged right in Vietnam. It did become the foundation of
my success.” How did the athlete manage to achieve such
a form? In between tournaments, and after an hour jogging
in the morning Nan goes to the gym, where she performs
a set of exercises. Let’s listen to the advice of the world
champion.
Perform jumps according to the command in the process of running. Pull your legs at the same
time forward, then to the sides (preferably touch your toes), move your legs back and forth and
touchdown. These exercises are mandatory for those who perform kata with jumps.
Running around the gym with different variations. First, lift your heel a little
and perform light jogging touching the floor with your feet.
The ankle
should be relaxed,
lift your leg
(right angle)
perform
jumps
on one leg
Crossing
feet
Training of Nan
28

Annan Kata cannot be executed without having
sufficient physical strength.
The waist and shoulders play very important role in Annan.
In shetei-uchi (strike using the bottom of the palm), the shoulders
and lower back (when looking from the side, power and rush are
present) are active together with the movement.
Same situation with the rotation after
geri performance. Left shoulder and
the left side of the waist are engaged.
In nukite, siko-dachi stance and
zenkutsu-dachi stance turn the right
shoulder and right side of the waist.
Annan
29
#3. 2015

Chyatan Yara Kusanku
has two jumps. To learn
how perform them well
and be able to balance,
Nan practices on step
(pop-out above the floor)
jumping repeate dly
on it (photo right). She
performed this exercise
with dumbbell in Vietnam,
placing it on the neck,
and chose the steps of
different heights.
It is very important to
follow the rule in kata:
while jumping body,
lumbus and supporting
leg must be straight
(central photo).
This kata is also
important to work using
the lumbus, especially
when both hands are
together, and then
one arm moves on the
block using the sharp
of the hand: lower back
starts to move out
of the knee and then
the force is transmitted
to the hand in uke (photo
in left row).
For me, this is the longest and the most complicated
kata. It loses all its beauty, if even one movement will
be not performed clearly.
Chyatan
Yara
Kusanku
30

Unsu Kata is not assigned
for everyone, as it is usually
performed by men.
Series of exercises assigned
for the lumbus and its sharp turn
are presented. Perform tsuki
in zenkutsu-dachi diagonally right
and left in turn.
Heiku is short kata. And this is its complexity
to be able to show all the power and speed of
the kata within short time framework.
Heiku contains movements which should be performed
on one leg. In this case, regular breathing comes to
the fore when you stand on one leg and breathe in through
the nose, the shoulders do not rise, and thus, the balance
is maintained.
Unsu
Heiku
31
#3. 2015

Breathing is in the highlight. First it is unusual, but you will succeed
gradually during training. Hip joints are very important in the
stances of this kata.
In this kata, the focus is directed to the work of hip
joints, which are very important for the implementation
of movement in siko-dachi stance (right row). The main
thing is to keep the position of the support leg (even
during the movement). Then turn your lumbus. Keep
the front support leg at the same height, while the rear
leg is pulled up. The body should keep the position
“straight and forward.”
The center of gravity position is significant point
in sanchin stance in movement to four directions.
It should be low, and the rear foot rests against
the floor clearly.
Suparinpei
32

Nguyen visits the lessons of Japanese
11 years ago I had a dream that I
was able to make a reality. I wish you
to realize your dreams come true!
4. “Dream” to be the key word
After Nan had realized her main dream, she
returned to Japan. She came to win not on the mat,
but in the student audience. It is very difficult to
get education in Vietnam, which would guarantee
employment in the future. While Nan gave every
effort studying karate, her peers enjoyed student life.
“Yes, it was a bit disappointing. But I always knew
that education is available at any age in contrast to
sports,” says Nan.
“After winning the title of world champion, I thought
to focus on my studies only. I wanted to reduce
the number of workouts for this purpose. But Sensei
opposed arguing that I managed to win thanks to
the daily trainings. So I decided to combine sport and
study,” said Nan.
During an interview Nan saw hieroglyph of the word
“dream” in journalistic records and then rewrote it in
her notebook. After all, she has so much invested
in this concept.
33
#3. 2015

Let us try to exercise
flexibility without
overcoming our
capabilities.
Letusshoweverything
wearecapablefor
attrainingsand
competitions!
The competitions of
various levels will
start soon. Certainly,
many athletes are
preparing for the
Japan Championship
to show what they
have achieved
over the past year.
They are all looking
forward to the
moment when they
can perform at the
main contests of
the country, show
all their skills and I
would very much like
to see the joy of their
performances are not
marred by injury.
We present for the
attention of all the
karate athletes
effective stretching
exercises of the
famous athlete
Ryutaro Araga.
Try to repeat the
exercise with the
same enthusiasm
with which you jointly
with us performed
exercises for speed,
agility and quickness
(SAQ training). We
introduced this set
of exercises to the
readers in previous
issues.
exercises
34

stretch exercises from Ryutaro Araga
Stretch
of hand
and elbow
Dynamic rotation of
shoulders and
shoulder blades
Stretch
of shoulders,
blades, armpits
Press on the outer side of the
palm using your hand. Then, as
Fig. 1A shows, turn your hand and
pull it to the opposite direction,
the other hand presses down on
your fingers. Follow these steps
as deep as the flexibility of hands
allows.
The exercise is performed several
times in turn first left, then
right hand.
Hand up until armpit is fully
extended. Be careful, in this
position, the head is often tilted
forward. Keep the elbow in
stretched position, stretch the
shoulder blades and shoulder
joints.
The body bends to the side and
stretch, as Fig. 2 A shows.
1-А 2-А
1
Stretch of
shoulders
and shoulder blades
Stretch the shoulders and
shoulder blades opposite
to the direction shown in
Fig. 2. Pull and hold the
arm at the elbow. Try to
exert maximum effort.
3
We stretched enough shoulders
and shoulder blades, and now we
can start to rotate them. Perform
rotation alternately forward,
backward, on centrifugal force of
the hand. It is important to feel
how blades move.
4
2
35
#3. 2015

7-А 8-А
6-2
Stretch
of legs
Stretch of lumbar
muscles, muscles of
abdomen and hips
Stretch
of buttocks
The complex stretch of
the shoulders,
hamstrings, hip joints
and muscles
throughout the loin
When per forming
n o n - d e e p k n e e
bending, you should
feel how knees and
shins stretch. When
p e r f o r ming d e e p
squats, the heel should
be raised, stretch the
thigh.
Change siko-dachi stance to the
stance shown in the illustration:
turn your leg to left, right knee
should be dropped. You should feel
like front part of the right thigh is
stretched.
Then take a posture as shown
in Figure 7-A, stretch your body
dynamically to one direction and
then in the opposite direction.
Alternately stretch the muscles of the
buttocks. As shown in the figure, the front
leg should be strongly pressed to the body;
the outside of the knee leans against the
floor. Now look at Figure 8-A: if you “add”
the weight of your body to the exercise, the
load increases. Do not overdo it, perform the
exercise in the best of your ability and stop
at the moment when you feel a slight pain.
Put your feet a little wider
than in siko-dachi stance,
hands are on knees,
stretch your shoulders
and hamstrings, hip joints,
lumbar muscles turning
your shoulders to the right
and left.
As Figure 6-2 shows,
reduce slightly the dis
tance between the feet
and develop the flexibility
of your hip joints lowering
the hips.
5
7
8
6
36

10-А
Expansion of the range
of hip joints motion
and stretching the legs
Stretch of the hamstring
and back muscles
Stretch of
the muscles of
the medial group
Put your legs wide apart and bend your
body to the right and to the left, expand
the range of motion of the hip joints. At
the same time, the back should not be
round up and perform bending using
your hips. Repeat the movements by
relaxing and tensing the muscles.
Be careful, excessive fluctuations
of the body can lead to undesirable
consequences.
Then, lean forward in the same position,
while the body shall also be tilted
forward using your hips. When moving
your body up and down, id est carrying
out the oscillation of the body, produce
strain and relaxation. These movements
shall be repeated for several times.
Pull your legs, lean forward as if
you want to grab your toes. Perform
each exercise 10 times, trying to
avoid the oscillation of the body.
In other words, this is stretching
of inner femoral muscles. Move
your knees up and down, while
trying to prevent their vibrations.
Stretch will be more effective, if
you lean the entire body using
your hips, as Figure 10-A shows.
9
1110
Point:
repeat strain and relaxation
in movements.
The exercise shown in Fig. 9 is
aimed at stretching the body, and
here we have in mind not only the
execution of body bending and
stretching of the torso. Araga’s
method is a repeat of strain and
relaxation.
This motion must be performed
for 10 times to the left, right, and
forward in three sets.
37
#3. 2015

Stretch of
the muscles
around the hip joint
Stretch
of the muscles
of the body and buttocks
Stretch of the muscles
of the back and muscles
behind shoulder Stretch of biceps muscles,
pectoral muscles
and the deltoid muscle
Stretch
of the muscles
of the buttocks
Lie on your back, wrap your
knee with both hands and pulls it
to your stomach. In this position,
slowly rotate your hip in different
directions. In order to achieve
greater effect, the rotation should
be carried out into outer and inner
side (Figure 12, A). Perform the
same exercise using other leg.
As figure shows, put your hand aside from
the position lying on your back, turn the lumbus
and cross your legs. When carrying out this
exercise, you should feel the stretch of muscles
of the body. The same exercise is performed in
the opposite direction.
Get down on your knees, hands
are on the floor. From this position,
pull your body back. Pull your hand aside and lean,
flexing the shoulder. Then, as Figure
16-2 shows, stretch your shoulder
to the other direction. Perform
the same movement using the
other hand.
Put aside one leg, put down your knee to inner side.
When performing this exercise, the outer side of the base
of the foot stretches. If you want to make the exercise more
effective, hold the knee using the other foot, as Figure 14-
2 shows. Perform the same movements with the other leg.
12
13
15
16
14
14-2
12-A
38

Stretch
of the muscles
of thighs and buttocks
Stretch of the body
from the shoulders
to the hips
Stretch
of the muscles of the
abdomen and body
Stretch of the
biceps muscles
Put your leg forward and bend it as shown in the figure. The rear leg is
stretched. Hold the heel and the front knee with your hands. In this position,
raise the body forward. When performing this exercise, you should feel
stretching of the muscles of the buttocks. It is desirable that the front leg to
be bent at right angle, but if it fails, perform the exercise as far as possible.
Perform these movements using the other leg.
Lie on your side, put your hands aside.
Perform leg swing from side to side using your
lumbus as the figure shows. When performing
leg swings, try to get your hands. Do not tear
your hands off the floor.
Stretch the muscles of the abdomen, raising
and lowering the body, as it is shown in the
figure. Then, stretch the muscles of the body
turning to the right and left (Figure 20-A).
Lean your elbow against the
floor and stretch your body, and pull
your hand outwards.
Perform the same movement
using the other hand.
18
19 20
17
20-А
39
#3. 2015

Transposition
by Shin Tsuki
In the previous release of the magazine we spoke about easy and effective
feet transposition allowing keeping balance and reaching easy the opponent.
This time we will study practical application of this transposition, when the body
is on the line which separates right and left zones, and moving and crossing
feet from one zone to another, we perform tsuki, geri, undercuts and nage.
T
s
u
k
i
G
e
r
i
U
n
d
e
r
c
u
t
s
N
a
g
e
40

Understanding of the zone
Step forward as deep as possible
using your front foot. Pass to the front
foot zone using the rear foot and pick
it to the front foot. If you will perform
tsuki, geri, nage and undercuts
according to this approach, it will be
possible to win the opponent even
with smaller force.
We often say “to move aside”
and in most cases we perform
the strike running aside. “To
move aside” in its basis implies
an attack from the side, and
not in the process of “running”
aside. Sure, such strikes as
geri are usually performed
using the movement aside, but
the foundation for attacking
blows must be a direction
outside-in.
When attacking from the front
stance, we are open to receive
the strike. And it is necessary to
change the tactics a bit here.
To begin with, as shown
in Scheme 1, draw a line in your
mind. This line passes between
your feet and the opponent’s
feet. If both of you keep the right-
sided stance, your right front foot
and left rear foot of the opponent
are on one same “right” zone.
Your left rear foot and left
front foot of the opponent are
in left zone respectively. If
the opponent takes the left-
sided stance, then your right
foot and the opponent’s left
foot are on the same zone, and
your left foot and right foot of
the opponent are on other zone.
When performing an attack
from the front stance, we throw
our leg in the most cases. Thus,
we open to the opponent’s
blow. And it is important here to
perform deep long step forward
using the front leg, and rear leg
should be moved through the line
and pick up to the front leg, i.e.
to move to one area (Fig. 1).
Such transposition is applicable
as the foundation to perform
kizami-tsuki (Fig. 2). Gyaku-tsuki
is performed approximately
in the same way: the front leg
penetrates deep forward, and
rear leg shall be picked up to
the front leg to one zone (Fig. 3).
As a rule, the opponent replies
using movement along the line.
You can avoid the opponent’s
attack using such easy trans
position (Fig. 4).
What advantages this
transposition has? Insignificant
transposition using the rear leg
allows avoiding counter blows.
Taking the front stance, when
the line passes between your
feet and the opponent’s feet.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Scheme 1:
Left zone
right zonethe opponent
you
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
41
#3. 2015

You may try to put hands
on the breasts of each other
and push. The person who
is physically stronger wins (Fig.
5). Now one of you pass your
feet to one zone and try to push
each other one more time. In this
position the person whose feet
are in different zones need to be
stronger, in order to push out his
opponent (Fig. 6).
In the process of the duel
the performance of kizami-tsuki
with moving of the rear foot to
the zone of the front foot allows
avoiding response blows.
Similarly, try to test effec
tiveness of gyaku-tsuki (Fig.7).
And make sure that the change
of the rear foot position and
the transition to one zone give
tangible benefit (Fig. 8).
And even if the opponent takes
the opposite stance (for example,
you have left stance, and your
opponent takes right-handed
stance). The person whose both
feet are in one zone has better
benefits to keep balance and
posture at counterblow.
See diagram 2 a-c. The arrows
indicate the direction and
strength. As Figure 2a shows,
in case of frontal collision
one who has the advantage
in strength wins. Scheme 2b
shows slightly changed direction.
In a collision, all the power of
the opponent does not fall as
powerful blow, but stronger
athlete still wins.
Scheme 3 illustrates that
more change of direction allowed
winning at strong opponent. Id
est it is not necessary to face
the opponent head-on, but it is
sufficient to apply force in direction
of weak side of the rival.
Also effective kizami-tsuki
can be performed being in one
zone. Tsuki can be performed
at the distance of 10 centimeters
minimum and more (Fig.9 a-b).
However, it is more difficult
to perform gyaku-tsuki from
the same distance, when both
feet are on the same line as
the distance becomes shorter (Fig.
10 a-b).
In this case it is enough to turn
a bit the toe to internal side and
the problem with the distance
is resolved (Fig. 10 c).
Tsuki with
displacement
to one zone
Now try to perform some
techniques with such transpo
sition. In the beginning perform
kizami-tsuki and gyaku-tsuki
(Fig. 11a-c and 12a-c). Tsuki
performance using left or right
leg do not influence on the
displacement as it is needed
here to pull the rear foot to
the front one.
Further I will explain how to
perform oi-tsuki. Prior to take
step forward using the rear foot,
it is necessary to turn the thigh of
the front leg to exterior twisting
heel a little. Thus, the foot
is turned aside (Fig. 13a).
If the line passes between the feet, the winner is the one who has a physical
advantage. Turning to one side and pulling the rear foot to the front foot, you can
easily beat the opponent, which is much stronger than even you.
In frontal collision stronger athlete wins. Change the direction a little, but the one who
is stronger has the advantage.
If to perform the attack from
the side, you can win even
with small efforts.
Passing to another zone, you can dodge
Fig. 5Fig. 5 Fig. 5 Fig. 5
Scheme 2:
42

The transition to the same
zone will help to reach
the opponent by kizami-tsuki
at a distance of 10 cm or
more.
Then pull the rear leg up
through the straight line (Fig. 13
b-d). A small change of movement
allows performing tsuki and
overcoming the block of the front
hand of your opponent.
Geri with
displacement
|to one zone
Geri is performed the same way
as tsuki, only the hip is spinning
to exterior side. First perform
mawashi-geri (Fig. 14 a-c). Perform
the movements from the transition
to one zone up to geri. Further
perform mawashi-geri using
the rear leg: together with oi-tsuki
turn the hip of the front leg aside,
and perform mawashi-geri after
going to another zone (Fig. 15 a-c).
When performing usiromavashi-
geri, it is not necessary to move to
another zone.
Undercut with
displacement to
another zone
Undercuts are performed
according the same principle
that geri is performed. When
performing the undercut using
the front leg, turn the hip of
the rear leg to external side and
pass over the line (Fig. 16а-с).
When performing the undercut
using the rear leg, turn the hip
Fig. 9a
Fig. 9b
Fig. 11a
Fig. 10b
Fig. 10c
Fig. 10c
Fig. 10a
Fig. 10b
If you transit to the same zone,
when performing gyaku-tsuki,
the distance will be shorter for
the strike. You can move away
to the required distance, if you
turn your toe inside.
In the next issue
Analysis of
changes in the
rules WKF…
43
#3. 2015

Usually kizami-
tsuki and
gyaku- tsuki are
performed as
follows: the front
foot performs
deep step
forward, the rear
leg is pulled up
to the front one.
When performing
oi-tsuki, turn
the thigh of
the front leg
aside and move
to one zone with
the front foot.
Geri is performed
the same way as tsuki.
The transposition
using the support leg
reduces the target.
Such geri will help
you to get around
the opponent’s
defense and hit him
in his back.
Fig. 12b Fig. 13b
Fig. 12a Fig. 13a
Fig. 12c Fig. 13c Fig. 13d
Fig. 15b
Fig. 15a
Fig. 15c Fig. 15d
Fig. 14b
Fig. 14a
Fig. 14c
of the front leg exterior and pass
the feet to another zone (Fig.
17a-d).
Together with transition to one
zone, we raise the opponent’s
shin using the leg performing
the undercut. In this case, it is not
necessary to apply a lot of force to
perform the undercut. At the same
time, it is less probable to injure
the opponent.
If you perform the undercuts
applying force, you may lose a
balance due to leg swing in the air,
and to injure the opponent. And
the approach of the transition to
one side with turning hip exterior
is suitable for the undercuts
exactly.
Nage with
displacement
to one zone
Nage with transposition
to one zone helps to disrupt
the opponent’s balance. The main
point in nage is to strike the right
moment and the body must
move in the same way as when
performing tsuki. Id est, if nage
is performed to right side, then
the left hand takes kizami-tsuki
stance, if nage is performed to left
side, then right hand takes kizami-
tsuki stance (Fig. 18).
The nage’s most point
is to destroy the opponent’s
balance. Always remember, that
first it is required to destroy
the opponent’s balance, and
then perform nage, but not try to
destroy the balance performing
the throw. As soon as you perform
the hacking using both hands,
push your opponent using your
front hand, and pull diagonally
down using the rear hand. At the
same time, pull the rear leg up
to the front one. And all these
actions shall be performed
simultaneously.
When performing the throw to
the opposite side, it is required to
change your legs simultaneously
with the transition to the same
zone (Fig. 20a-c). And turning your
feet, perform the throw in a way as
performing oi-tsuki.
Basic techniques originate
from syumoku (Note: syumoku
is a hammer, which was used to
clang a giant bell in the temple.
The monks took syumoku-asi
stance, when clanging a bell. I.e.
the feet are located at an angle
in such stance. The front foot
may be straight but the rear foot
is directed aside).
As it was mentioned above,
it is not required to displace
the entire body to move away.
It is enough only to move forward.
The maximum effectiveness can
be shown with minimum efforts
and motions. It is enough only to
draw the central line, split into
right and left zones and, moving
to one or another side to attack or
defend.
Tsuki and geri, undercuts and
nage are performed according
44

Ayano Takaki
Born on October 25, 1990
in Niigata Prefecture. She
started to practice karate,
when studied in the 2 grade
under influence of her father.
Currently, she is the instructor
of “Kuyukay” school founded
by Yuko Takahashi Sensei.
Yuka Kanno
Today, she is the 3-year
student of Kokudokan
University.
The undercuts and nage
are performed in the same
manner as tsuki only with
transition to one zone.
Push using
the left hand, pull
using the right
hand and pass
the rear leg to
another zone.
“Point” is that all
three of these
steps should
be performed
simultaneously.
When performing
the throw to
the opposite
direction, switch
your legs to
another zone.
Fig. 16b Fig. 17b Fig. 19b
Fig. 16a Fig. 17a Fig. 19a
Fig. 16c Fig. 17c Fig. 19cFig. 17d
Fig. 18
Fig. 20b
Fig. 20a
Fig. 20c
to the same principle. It is
necessary to pull the rear leg up
to the front one.
Though we t alk about
transposition with the crossed
legs but actually, we do not
cross the legs when performing
the transposition. At the last lesson
I acquainted you with basics of
transpositions crossing the feet.
In practice, it is not necessary to
move in such a manner.
During movement from one
zone to another, pay attention
to the toes direction. If the rear
foot will be little turned, then all
abovementioned techniques will
be implemented ever better. And
you start to understand good why
many martial arts prefer syumoku
stance.
Likely, uke-kokutsu-dati (palm
edge block) stance was syumoku-
dati in the past. Therefore,
invariable truths transmitted from
generation to generation find their
application in modern sport.
45
#3. 2015

Text and photos by Yuri Toguchi
The oldest participant of the Championship
Shigeru Miyano
(Karate-do School of Fukuoka Prefecture)
We have long nurtured the idea of opening a special
column which tells about the participants of this
popular tournament in Japan as the Sports Masters
Japan, in which the main characters are the veterans
of karate who devoted all their life to favorite business.
Today, this idea came to life, and the first issue of
the column is about Shigeru Miyano. He practices
the karate for 43 years, and he began being 48 years
old man. Now, it is admitted to start karate training, for
that matter, and any sport in early childhood. However,
Miyano, being already in very mature age, went to
his goal stubbornly to understand the full depth of
the karate. Perseverance, hard work and dedication to
the sport are the main traits of this wonderful athlete.
Way to become
a master
90-year-old
kata
athlete
Shigeru Miyano
Born on November 19, 1923 in Fukuoka Prefecture.
When he was 48 years old, he enrolled in the karate-do
school of in Fukuoka. He became the eldest participant
at the Sports Masters Japan 2014 who performed in the
4th category (70 years and older), and was awarded a
special diploma of the due diligence. He has the 1st
dan
of Japan Karate-do Federation, as well as the 3rd
dan
of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation. The 91-aged master
has 60-year-old sons, 30-year-old grandchildren and
his great-grandchildren are the students of junior and
middle classes.
Sports Masters
Japan 2014
46
Way to become a master

Healthy lifestyle or not?
The women aged 35 years
and older and 40-year-old
and older men are allowed
participating in the Sports
Masters Championship. Miyano
is old enough to be father and
grandfather for all participants.
This athlete was the most eldest
participant of the championship.
We met the lifest yle of
amazing man.
“I eat normal food and I have
the most common lifestyle.
Perhaps, you think that I do
something special because I’m
look cheerfully at my age. In fact,
my life is significantly different
from the usual lifestyle of my age
mates: I go to bed at 2 am and I
get up in the afternoon.”
To watch recorded movies late
at night is a part of his daily life.
But Miyano trains and warms
up daily: three times a week at the
dojo, when he has time, he visits
the city gym, where trains muscles
for two hours, doing push-ups and
swinging press. “There is a great
advantage in my age, I can visit
the gym for free,” jokes Miyano.
The city park is located close to
his home. This is an ideal place for
training. Every day he walks about
7–8 thousand steps there.
“Sometimes, I come home
after midnight. And if earlier,
my family members are very
surprised.”
From the “crystal child”
to the foot soldier and
Siberian captive
Miyano’s motto is the constant
movement without idle. “As a child
I was a recalcitrant child. In a
family I was born the fourth out of
seven children, but then two elder
brothers had died at an early age,
and later four more long-awaited
boys were born. Parents were very
careful with us, and neighbors
often called us “crystal children.”
Even if we have behaved
outrageously, we were not
abused, and as a result we have
grown into pretty rowdy-dowdy
teenagers. Frankly speaking, I
was rather weak student, and
was naughty. Having graduated
from the school, I went to work
in Dalian in Manchuria. Then I
graduated from Kanto military
school and became the foot
soldier, and at the end of the war I
fell prisoner in Siberia and worked
as a miner for four years.
Karate life began with
the kimono
When returning from captivity,
Miyano found that his father’s
house was gone. He was hired
at the construction site of his
uncle and worked a lot. So he
worked hard. He married, had
children, he had to support his
family. And when Miyano was
already 48 years old, he got some
free time.
“And that’s when I realized that
at last I have private free time,
Fukuoka city gym opened next to
my house.”
Karate, judo and kendo
sections worked in this gym. Once
being a child, Miyano practiced
kendo already and would like to
resume classes. However, there
47
#3. 2015
Miyano performs diligently every kata Sochin, Sanchin, Tencho

48
Sports Masters Japan 2014. Offensive defeat
at the first meeting with the score 2:3
I thought:
“Can it be true that I won”
When we asked Miyano about this cham
pionship, he told the following story.
When the jury gave decision, two front referees
raised flags in my favor, and I thought, “Can it be
true that I won”, but the victory was awarded to
the opponent with the score 3:2. Probably due
to the reason I staggered a little at the end of
the duel.
Michio Fujiie started practicing karate
in Fukuoka Karate-do School being a student.
We are already familiar with
her for over 30 years.
Then I, her students,
was over 50, and she still
teaches me.
Michio Fujiie
also participated in the Sports
Masters 2014. She took the 5th
place in the 2nd
category
was an unexpected obstacle. He was told that it is
necessary to purchase equipment that will cost no
less than 200 thousand Yen. But they offered karate,
where you need only kimono and costs only 6,000
Yen. This proved to be the decisive factor.
Thus, Miyano started practicing karate.
Despite the fact that Miyano had once practiced
kendo and rugby, id est he had sporting endurance,
karate lessons has been very difficult for 48-year-old
man. “At first I did not succeed. I looked younger than
my years, and I was given a “menu” of training as
for 20-year-old men. I could not bend my knees. And
everyone thought that I cannot stand and quit soon.”
But to quit the thing without completing is not
in the nature of Miyano. He cultivated his abilities
and polished his athletic skills for 43 years.
When Miyano was 88 years old, he was invited to
the Sports Masters, and he took part for the first time
at Sports Masters Japan 2011 in Ishikawa.
He lost in his first season, but he became its
permanent member soon.
I have already refused the surgical
interference for the sake of karate.
Anyone who participates in the Sports Masters
five times then receives a certificate of merit. Miyano
certainly wanted to get this award and decided to
take part in the championship for the fourth time.
But fate decreed otherwise.
In February, he was diagnosed lung cancer.
“I was told that this is the initial stage, and surgery
may help.” For the operation it was necessary to
remove one rib, but after that sharp movements were
contraindicative, and… Miyano refused the surgery
interference.
“My life loses its meaning without karate. And I
asked how long I will live without surgery. The answer
was two or three years. I suppose that my life is long
enough, and refused the operation.”
Instead of 10 years without karate, he has
chosen the allotted two years, in order to continue
his studies. But Miyano is lucky. Familiar surgeon
advised him to address the clinic where the surgery
is applied without removal of the ribs. Miyano followed
the advice and found hope after the consultation with
doctors. “I was told that if I do the operation, I can
participate in the championship, so I decided to.”
On the third day after the surgery, knowing that
the rehabilitation procedures are carried out once a
day, Miyano said: “Time would fail me at this rate,”
and was discharged from the hospital.
Plans for the next 10 years
When Miyano was 80 years old, he was diagnosed
acute pancreatitis, he underwent intensive therapy.

49
#3. 2015
“My knees hurt constantly, and, anyway, I was sick
so much that I do not remember everything,” said
Miyano.
“Life was so hard. I believe that I am still alive
due to my patience. Those who survived the war are
always ready for death. In Siberia the temperature
decreased for about minus 60 degrees. Apparently,
this is tempered me. Therefore, I could overcome
the disease.”
After surgery, Miyano appears at the Sports
Masters Japan 2014, where he was handed a
certificate of merit at very first day of competition.
It became happy event for him.
Next year the championship is planned to be held
in Ishigava Prefecture, where Miyano debuted first.
“This year I had the surgery and I plan to
demonstrate another 10 years. It is true that the body
behaves disobediently but I will try and work. – Miyano
cheers up. – The atmosphere of the championship
is important for me, I am interested to meet and get
acquainted with new people.”
I did not reach
the top and I go
“I have not yet learned the full depth of karate-
do and I’m still learning. I am always happy to go
for the trainings, I’ve hardly missed them. This is my
pride, what I can brag about. The reason why I have
been doing this is in my environment, those people
I train with. I was attracted by the philosophy of
karate-do, and it became a matter of my life,” said
Miyano.
Miyano continues to train hard together with other
athletes of the dojo. Now he aims to participate in the
championship next year, stubbornly goes to new
heights.
It is difficult to do many things with age but
the desire to learn and win deserves great respect.
“Miyano senpai always literally showers with
questions like “Shall be this part of the kata
performed like that?” or “Shall I keep my hand like
this?” and so on”, told us his coach Fujiie.
In the dojo nobody refers to the Miyano like the old
man: he is worthy of respect and admiration for
the indomitable spirit and perseverance.
Sports Masters Japan 2014. The time of delivery
of special certificates for diligence.
The members of Fukuoka Karate-do School. The age range is very wide: from 20 to 90 years.
All athletes train with pleasure and are focused on the victory.

Author: Naomichi Matsushita
sound nutrition
Learn your best condition and try to create it
correct training
proper recovery
Ways to create athletic body
How to achieve maximum
performance and flexibility using
skillful body and soft muscles?
Kondo Sensei, the Headmaster of Yakumogakuen
School, once said that Kagoshima has very good
master. According to his words, this Sensei can cure
any injury in one session. Professional athletes involved
in football, baseball, sumo, basketball and other sports
address to him. The leading karate athletes come
for help to this miracle healer, and he helps them
to recover even after very serious injury. We went to
Kagoshima intrigued by the story and at the same time
assailed by doubts.
Morizaki Sensei met us on the volcanic island of
Sakura which is located in the prefecture of Kagoshima.
It is impossible to believe that this smart, elegant,
youthful-looking man is already over 50. Later, Sensei
himself will say about his image with a smile: “How can I
be helpful to others, if I will not have good body?” As we
expected, the master has long been successfully tested
those methods on himself which formed the basis of
his training “Correct training, sound nutrition, proper
recovery”, he practices in the developed countries of
Europe and America. Undoubtedly, we wanted to find
out how it is possible to cure serious injury at one time,
but we realize that it is only the first part of our big
study. We decided not to hurry and tell the readers
about the mindset of athletes practiced by Morizaki
Sensei and all the strongest athletes of the world.
Do you think it is possible to create a body as much
as possible protected from injury? Do not rush with
skepticism. It turns out that uncompromising, well-
founded and logical scientific answer to this question
exists for a long time already.
How to build a body
which is able to conquest
the world’s sports tops?
A few secrets of creating
the body, which is able to
“circumvent” injuries
In karate, as in many other sports, it is likely to
get injured. The danger lies in wait for the athlete
at every step. And as a rule, we start talking about
the injury, when it has been already received. Injury
is the result, the consequence of some action that
has a reason. And injuries will chase you, while you
get to this reason and fix it.
To build the body, which will be protected from
injury and allow to disclose your opportunities at the
tournaments as much as possible, you need a set of
measures aimed at preventing injuries.
50

The figures speak
about your best condition
It is amazing that there are only few persons even
among professional athletes who properly understand
their “best condition”. Speaking on this subject,
athletes commonly use two options: “I’m in good
shape” and “I’m in bad shape.”
The easiest way to find your power is to measure
it with a help of a dynamometer on a daily basis. Id
est, squeezing a dynamometer every day with your
hands you can understand your current state on the
example of its testimony: whether you’re at your
best, or perhaps you feel tired from the previous
day or drunk alcohol. So you can find out your “best
condition”. And it is the most important that you were
in the same condition at the day of the competition.
To create
the “best condition”
What measures should be used to create your
“best condition”?
To do this, it is important to comply with three
conditions:
• To eat healthy food
• To train properly in the correct time selected
• To recover properly
Every athlete will be able to create his own “best
condition” following these simple rules at the first
glance.
Many people still live according to stereotypes, and
mistakenly believe that the winner in the sport is those
who exhaust himself with long trainings, strain himself
physically and mentally. In fact, the sport leaders are
people who love what they do and are able to show
their best form.
We can do without
dietary supplements and protein
We would like to warn that the creation of sports
body does not need protein and dietary supplements.
Moreover, they are very harmful, so it is better to
renounce the use of these additives, so you facilitate
the absorption of nutrients.
For example, children whose parents stuffed
them with dietary supplements since their childhood
cannot boast of good health: they have weak work
of the gastrointestinal tract, which cannot absorb
nutrients from conventional foods. These children
have problems related to their internal organs by 20.
The human body has the ability to adapt, so it can
adjust to less favorable conditions. And if you remit
the environment in advance, the body quickly gets
used to smaller resistance and becomes weaker. This
point is very important in a sport where main goal
is to win.
Try to include as much as possible natural food
in your diet. In developed countries, if athletes
consume dietary supplements or protein, they start
to use them at the age of over 20.
Taking dietary supplements even for one
week already will have an effect. And if you aim
to create healthy body, we strongly recommend
stopping immediately the use of any kind of
complementary foods.
Training time:
quality instead of quantity
Extremely long workouts lead directly to injury. Two
hours is the optimal time for a workout of adult athlete
excluding warm-up and shutdown. It has long been
proven that humans decreases the concentration
after two-hour workout, therefore, the risk of injury
increases.
It’s time to think seriously about how to use most
effectively these two hours of training. For example,
Europe and America almost have not baseball and
football teams that have been training for more than
two hours.
There is a reasonable question: why do we need a
long training? In order the athlete to learn something,
it is more important proper content of the training
instead of its duration.
If the athlete cannot master any technique after
multiple repetitions, it is likely that the problem
is not the amount of time allotted for training, but
how to teach a lesson to the athlete. Unfortunately,
the muscles that have long been exposed to
the impact of pain coarsen very quickly. As a result,
the body of an athlete loses its mobility, and he cannot
compete with rivals. Another important point is full
recovery. Many athletes do not allow their muscles
to relax after strenuous exercise. Can such athletes
become really strong?
51
#3. 2015

About great
value of ice baths
Talking about the features of the muscles, we
have already mentioned that they harden under
pressure. Human muscles, in simple terms, are
assigned to protect bones and internal organs, so
the greater the threat to the body from the outside,
the more they tighten. Id est, if you abuse this ability
of your organism, eventually bones and internal
organs will tire, and protecting muscles will harden.
When the body is no longer able to cope with
external influences, the bone will break. At this point,
the muscles are toughened at maximum. You need
to apply the appropriate measures “outside”, in order
to relax the muscles and restore their original shape.
The athlete who trains actively needs to cool
his muscles every day, otherwise they remain
in suspense. After training, the muscles accumulate
lactic acid and other decomposition products,
and the temperature around the joints sometimes
exceeds 45 degrees. Therefore, the first thing you
need to do is to cool your muscles forcedly after
the training up to ordinary temperature of the body.
Unfortunately, many athletes, who do not
think the cooling of the body is important, refuse
the appropriate procedures and come to the next
exercise with the same “dowry” like lactic acid and
degradation products in the tired joints and muscles.
For example, European or American football players
never allow this.
Abroad, many members of the football teams
cool their muscles and joints with a help of ice bath,
which is prepared as follows. The ice bath (the ratio
of water and ice should be 1: 1) is added large spoon
of salt. Then the athletes dip into the water until
they feel numbness in their hands and feet. Usually,
less than five such dips are enough. The time of
dip in the water is not fixed, but the athletes act
on the basis of their feelings. After bathing they
drink a glass of soda water and take sitting bath
of comfortable temperature for the body. This bath
also helps to eliminate waste products. And at the
end of the procedure they perform stretching. You
should take such a bath on a daily basis. Of course,
implementation of this rule will require some efforts
from your side. But do not forget that you will meet
your opponents at the future duels who find time and
effort for the ice baths, and more, so their physical
condition differs favorably from the opponents’
condition.
For example, Turkish athletes practice two-hour
training sessions after which they apply procedures
required relax the muscles.
Let’s summarize our lesson. To build athletic
body, it is necessary to take care properly of your
body, give up alcohol and use only natural food.
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
How to recover
properly after
grueling
workout?
Two hours of hard
training is behind.
Take a bath, wherein
the ratio of ice and water
equals 1:1, add 1 tablespoon
of salt. Dip into the water and
cool your muscles and joints
forcedly.
After 5 dips into a bath
of ice drink soda water
and take normal bath.
Bath cleared decay products from
the muscles and joints, and now you need
to soften the body using the stretching.
52

«Bruce Lee was very popular, it helped karate to
become widely spread. May be some that I have
inspired children to start.Even if I`m playing bad
karateka I`ve helped to inspire them...»
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Akf 03.2015 for web

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