Kancho's Big Night at Bali 2000 Soiree

By Yudanshakai Deshi

Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa was a very happy man indeed that evening on April 23, this year. The soiree climaxing the 7th Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF) World Championships at Nusa Dua Hotel in Bali was in full swing. Kancho had much to be pleased about, as an endless procession in groups from some 56 nations of the world , approached to offer congratulations and their respects. SKIF Bali 2000 had been a resounding karate happening. The Japanese contingent this time had outdone itself. Its members have not only emerged grandly victorious, but also glorious in their exemplary behaviour and display of sportsmanship. Added to this were the praise-worthy contributions of the Kanazawa brothers.

Nobuaki, the older (who emerged Kumite Grand Champion), battled through arguably the most testing Kumite campaign marathon in the annals of top level competition. He was pivotal too in securing the Kumite team Gold for Japan. The tall heavyweight was a picture of cool and calm consistency throughout the grueling marathon bouts. Little brother Fumitoshi, half the size of big brother by contrast, delighted with his attacking speed; and a style that invariably dictated the pace of the bout, persistently carrying the fight to his opponent.

The two reflected the unqualified affirmation regarding the high standards of SKIF skills worldwide today of Sensei Manabu Murakami who, incidentally not only served as Japan's delegation chief and coach, but also participated in its formidable Kumite squad. "The level of Kumite has markedly improved from our previous tournament three years ago," he averred. "Judging by the performances of the new and the young, we can confidently expect much greater things to come in the immediate years ahead."

This developing trend may well be attributable to the inclusion of the Junior Category for youths between the ages of 12 and 17 in the triennial meets; especially in an increasing consensus that this category is to be taken seriously and accorded due recognition and attention. It has certainly been a vindication, inasmuch as there had been much misgivings for years over the prudence of extending the Championships in time length and scope. The promotion of the Veteran categories -- including the distaff side -- had met with similar resistance .But recent SKIF world meets had served to prove (and continue to do so), that age is no barrier to the practice or enjoyment of karate.

"Veterans are here to stay," offered Sensei Murakami. "They have shown that their presence is not just a novelty or a sideshow. Without a doubt, theirs is a valuable contribution; and they offer this with astonishing vigour, many of them!" He noted also, that the veterans -- trained and rooted in the style and spirit of old, "remind us that there is much merit and validity still in traditional karate whether kumite or kata; influenced as we are today, by the increasing demand for `action karate' ".

From his observations at SKIF dojos the world over in the course of his unending teaching-travels, as much as from his personal kumite experiences, "I have come to the conclusion that traditional techniques can score points just as decisively and efficiently as the current preferred style of energetic and forcefully physical techniques". But, the highly-respected young Sensei emphasized, traditional karate requires harder and deeper training concentration. He might have added, but did not, that it can be more self-satisfying and enduring too.

New Kumite Weight System in Use for First Time

THE 7th World Championships differed somewhat from the previous six in that the Men's Senior division was divided for the first time by contestants' weight classes. Also, a new scoring rule was introduced. This was the Ippon Han Shobu rule of three Wazari; or one Ippon, one Wazari; and the standing two Ippon ruling. Furthermore, in all Kata competitions, Seinchin, Seipai and Gangaku-sho were permitted, but none of these seemed to have attracted much interest.

In the Junior division, there were four classifications based on age with the youngest -- aged 12 -- competing in Kata only: 12 to 13; 14 to 15; and 16 to 17 years. Kumite here was decided on the Ippon-Shobu rule. Senior Men: Kumite contestants were divided into three weight gradings -- Light (under 65 kg); Middle (under 75 kg); and Heavy (over 75 kg); and all decided on the Ippon-Han-Shobu (two-minute) rule.

Senior Women were split into two categories, also on the weight criterion. Light, under 60 kg; and Heavy, over 60 kg; all under Ippon-Han (two-minute) ruling. There was no Grand Champion event for Women Kumite . Predictably, some have indignantly reasoned why? And the question became louder in the Veteran Women class in which competition was limited to Kata only (which is acceptable); and no Team Kata (which was not).

There was a lot going for the Veteran contestants, with the women classified by age range only and not by weight. Veteran Men over 65 were restricted to Kata while the others, ranging in years from 40 to 65 were eligible for Kumite as well. The divisions: Ages 40 to 44; 45 to 49; 50 to 54; 55 to 59; 60 to 65. They came under the new Ippon Han-Shobu, two-minute . Voices were heard at the end of the day, that it might be wise in future to reduce these divisions by a third, by dove-tailing the age groups.

Judging by the voices of dissent however, this would seem unlikely. One innovative idea proved surprisingly popular among the veterans and others alike. This was the Team Kata comprising a combined age aggregate of 150 years! With seven teams competing, indications are that this event will prove another stayer for the future. Indeed, there was talk already of taking this a step further. By introducing still another event for the old folks with a mixed Team of four Kata in 2003. That should be something to consider seriously.

Some Serious Questions to Ponder

THE presence of a relatively large number of veteran Karateka inevitably raised the question of and discussion on (as ensued after the three-day SKIF festival at the Bali International Convention Centre) how the current standard of karate measured to that prevailing in previous years. Arriving at a definitive conclusion would not be possible. This is because Karate in any shape and form -- and certainly so of our SKIF school -- has evolved and developed apace with the rapidly changing cultural times worldwide. And for various reasons; not the least that karate in general, like it or not, has transformed into a sport as much as it has become commercialized.

If this question occurs among the hierarchy either in Japan or in the burgeoning karate communities spread all over the world, it must be doing so discreetly or without much enthusiasm. The reality is -- from the action in Bali -- that traditional, or "pure" karate is sadly on the wane; overcome by the prevailing winds of "liberal" martial arts.

Sensei Murakami addressed this issue when we inquired from him. He appeared to be of two minds. On the one hand, he expressed an abiding respect for the traditional; on the other, he was gung-ho in praise of karate standards everywhere. "The levels in East Europe, South and Central America are fast rising," he said. And he offered a special recommendation on Indonesia. "Their Kata in particular, is way above everyone else. As for whether karate is still a martial art or a sport, that will continue in vigorous debate for some time," he reckoned.

Elaborating on his remarks, he invoked three major world karate communities -- Wuko, JKA and ourselves SKIF. "Wuko is following the Olympic path -- by weight and six Wazari (half-point). JKA endeavours to retain its traditional Budo purism, disdaining weight categories and adhering to its old Ippon (two half-point) system. As for SKIF, we sit plunk and squarely between the two -- with our weight categories and Ippon Han." A World Championships campaigner in five of SKIF's seven tournaments, Hanabu Murakami is evidently torn between Budo and sport. This was manifested also in the performances of the Japanese team and general exponents.

It is in Kata that many SKIF Karateka all over the world mourn the ebb of the Budo flavour .Sensei Murakami pointed to the undeniable brilliance of Indonesian Kata. Their crisp and snappy precision executed with concentrated power, was an unmatchable spectacle. But is Kata now to be a proposition of military parade ground drill only?

Then there was the equally and attractive snappiness of the Japanese women Kata team. Their novel interpretation was as delicately breath-taking as the Indonesians were awesomely powerful. However, the immediate impression gained was one of genteel grace. And their Kata (Unsu) emerged as a karate adaptation of synchronized swimming. Again, is this another alternative still to the original Kata concept to be emulated and to stay?

These are questions worth pondering in order to inform ourselves on what future direction the general practice of SKIF karate is to take. In the meantime, it must be uplifting to see many Karateka still loyal and faithful to the spirit and practice of SKIF karate conceived by Hirokazu Kanazawa 20-odd years ago.

SKIF -- Kancho Kanzawa's Own `World Family'

FOR Kancho the Bali triennial rally of his global SKIF "Family", as he delights in calling our community, was all the more gratifying for the glittering attendance by some of Indonesia's leaders at the central hierarchy level. No fewer than nine Ministers were present at the grand official function inaugurating The 7th . And the bright star of this ensemble was no less the gracious Vice-President of Indonesia, Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri, despite the pressing demands on her time by her people and country.

The Organizing Committee of Shotokan Karate-do International Federation of Indonesia (INKADO), most of whose officials are Kancho's long-time friends, had spared no personal effort, it seemed, to ensure that this historical sporting occasion became memorable, as it well has. To name but a few of them: General (retired) Surano, Chairman of the Committee Black Belt SKIF; Dr Wismoyo Arismunandar, President of Indonesia's National Olympic Committee; General Wiranto, General Chairman of the Indonesia Karate-do Federation and , not the least, the very amiable Mr E. Tando, President of Shotokan Karate-do International Federation of Indonesia.

In his welcoming address, Mr Tando reiterated what Kancho Kanazawa has never failed to emphasize during his constant visits to "Family" members. Said Mr Tando: "Many of us here today are from distant foreign lands, embodying different nations of the world, cultures, education, ethnicity, social-economic backgrounds, education, and religion. But all these factors do not detract from the fact of our common identity as SKIF karate members." In short Kanazawa's "World Family".

In his many encounters with Karateka, The Master dwelled constantly on the importance of karate training his SKIF way. "Above all else," he solemnly declared, "it is to develop good discipline in order to enhance our daily interaction among our fellowmen and, moreover, to develop the required skills and virtues to enable us to train responsible young leaders."

Commenting on the tournament just concluded, he nodded in eager approval of how, by and large, contestants had comported themselves. "Overall," he observed, "they displayed keen spirit and proper manners. I believe that there has been a general improvement from the previous tournament; in Kata as well as in Kumite." He had a word of regret and advice though.

"There had been several serious injuries due to poor karate skills as well as to inadequate referees and judges." He pointed to some "appalling" decisions in the judging of Kata performances; in particular in the Veteran events. "The standards of referees and judges should be sustained. And this must advance in tandem with general karate skills and performances," The Master instructed.

Stern Words From Sensei Iwai on Referee Lapses

FROM Mr Satoru Iwai came harsher words on the faults of some judges and referees. Sensei Iwai is Managing Director of SKIF. He has been an inseparable friend and collaborator of Hirokazu Kanazawa for well nigh 40 years. In those early years, the young Kanazawa (in his karate heydays a world Kumite and Kata champion of a calibre unmatched to this day) was fast earning his reputation in the West where he lived and taught for ten years at a stretch. This experienced won him the accolade of "Father of European Karate" from his European followers. Satoru Iwai, now retired from his high executive position in one of Japan's oldest and most respected trading house, was then serving his company in Europe. The two formed a karate friendship and partnership that endured to this day.

Sensei Iwai's observations of The 7th centered on two detractions. One concerned the judging department. The other had to do with improving further the general administration of the triennial event; and to standardize the entire procedure to its minutest detail. And this to be initiated from Headquarters in Tokyo.

In Kata as well as Kumite events, he noted, "there were unfortunate decisions". In the latter this had resulted in a few "very regrettable accidents causing very serious injuries". In a number of Junior and Veteran Kata competitions, "too many erroneous point awards were made", indicating perhaps, that those judges were not sufficiently competent for the work assigned them. The serious mishaps also reflected inadequate refereeing.

"The Kumite injuries occurred because contestants were allowed to strike after `yame!' was called. In one such case, it resulted in a competitor being severely injured by a very hard and deliberate full-contact kick to the head. This errant competitor had already displayed undesirable behaviour and poor tatami manners. The presiding referees should have detected this and deal with him according to the stipulated regulations, Sensei Iwai declared.

He took a critical view too of seconds, coaches and other non-participating personnel thronging the ringsides throughout. "There should be strict rules -- and these just as rigidly enforced -- to enable officials to remove them. Without the sideline hollerings and agitations, a calmer atmosphere will prevail during the bouts; and therefore better karate techniques and fewer injuries."

On the second issue, Mr Iwai is recommending a standardized manual for the organizing committee of host nations "in order to promote and execute the Championships smoothly and with the minimum of glitches". The proposed manual, he went on, would spell out the procedures in full and to cover from the initial announcement to world member countries, through the entire process of conducting the three-day event, to its final conclusion. Moreover, Sensei Iwai emphasized, the manual should contain precise date and time schedules of events in their fullest details. "And it should contain clear-cut guidelines as to the precise number of logistical staff and personnel required to man the entire Championships.

To be avoided is the situation leading up to the final decision on Bali as the host city for The 7th. As Sensei Iwai recalled it: "Last August on the eve of the 20th All-Japan SKIF Championships, Kancho lost his voice during a bout of the flu occasioned by extreme fatigue. He had been on a working tour of European countries for a month and had just arrived home in Japan.

"After one night, he had to rush off to Indonesia to decide on where to locate The 7th in the country. This done, he had to hurry back to Tokyo for the All-Japan competitions. On such a critical question as deciding on a host city, a less hurried situation should be in place." Therefore, for the 8th SKIF World Championships, a proper program will be worked out, so that Kancho will have ample time to inspect the proffered facilities of countries bidding to host the event, he added.

...And So to The 8th in Year 2003

THE next -- and the 8th SKIF World Championships -- will be held in year 2003. So far six cities have entered bids for the privilege to stage the show; but only two have been named at the time of this writing. They are Okinawa and Las Vegas. Whichever it be, let us all meet up again. Until then, happy karate training.