Lost in Osaka

When I first started Karate in Canada there was another student who joined about a year before me. He failed many times and I eventually became a higher belt them he was. Mostly this was due to his own laziness. I have to give him credit though, he never quit and stuck it out for a lot longer than most people would. At my the Goju-ryu dojo a friend of mine goes to they don't give official tests. My freinds sensei will work his butt of more than usual and at the start of next class wil congradulate him on passing his test.

Yeah I speak and read enough to get by. I can understand a lot more than I can speak. Hopefully I won't loose my speaking ability once I get back to Canada. When I have some time I will write an article, topic still undecided.

Kyu Ranking: 10th-3rd-white 2nd and 1st-brown Shodan- black This is how things work at my Dojo. Then again in the adult class there are only 3 students reguarly (including myself) and we are all Shodan or higher .

My advice would be to have about 4 or more (depending on your experiance) combos ranging from anything simple (Jab reverse punch) to more complicated ones (make ones that work for you, but don't make them past your ability). Practice these combos a lot before the tournament with a partner, find out what works and what doesn't. Make sure you change up what you throw at your opponent or else he will be able to predict what you will do and you will be in big trouble. good luck!

Hello everyone, I recently stumbled upon this forum and have found it to be filled with very thoughtful serious practitioners of many styles of martial arts. I hope to add what I can to the discussions here. Here is a brief introduction of myself: I started training in Tsuruoka Style Karate in Canada when I was in Junior High School. After entering university I trained at the local Goju-kai Dojo on and off for a few years. In 2000 I came to Japan for the first time and stayed for one year. There was a instructor close by who practiced Kuushinaki (not very well known outside Japan, in fact only one international Dojo in Spain) and started training under him. Due to my past experaince I was able to progress quickly and achieved Shodan before heading back to Canada. Now I am back in Osaka and training under the same Sensei. I have been training here for 2 years and will test for Nidan this June. My sensei really pushes me as he wants me to start a Dojo when I get back to Canada this July. I practice as much as I can during and outside regular classes when I have free time and hopefully won't disappoint him and myself when I get back to Canada. Some intresting Karate experainces in Japan Thusfar: 1. Getting my clock cleaned at the Osaka Municipal Tournament by a well practiced University student 2. Watching one of the Spanish students (when they visited here) try to tough it out at an enkai (party). One of the Senior Senseis likes to torture drunken students by having them hold out there arm while he strikes it with a shuto again and again. 3. Visiting my friends Goju-ryu dojo, his Sensei believes in downing a few cups of shochu (30-40% alcohol) before practice. Needless to say I don't think I will be doing that too often!