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Not me but quite a few from my dojo are competing. Too bad, at least to my knowledge, that there isn't a dvd/video shot and for sale/rent.

45...I started karate at 44.

There are so many divisions in Karate...on the AAU side...some current World Champions include Christophe Pinna, George Kotaka and for the ladies...Elisa Au. I guess "big" is relative to degree and association...sport division, full contact or those who crossed over to entertainment or fitness and have name recognition...Billy Blanks etc.

I am looking at the diagram and it is a more complicated route with several different actions....this one will take learning in pieces...maybe 1/4 at a time. It will certainly test your back stance.

Correction...not AAU but WKC World Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil

Sensei tonight indicated that due to some unfavorable political factors and other problems the WKC World Karate Championships in Brazil were cancelled and will be in Serbia this October. Does this affect anyone here?

Why would your belt test be 2 hours long? What did you have to do? Does kenpo follow a basics/kihon, forms/kata test or do you have to spar etc.?

Like many on this post...Heian Nidan...in my dojo..that corresponds to a "Blue" belt: White, Orange Taikyoku Shodan), Yellow (Heian Shodan), Blue (Heian Nidan) , Green, Low Purple, High Purple, Low Brown, Middle Brown, High Brown, Black....

See link for story: My intention is not to pick/criticise the people or the school, however some observations: http://www.nwherald.com/CommunitySection/341451638266222.php Though it is called "Karate" they actually teach Tae Kwon Do with some type of "karate" mixed in...another article: http://www.inde-news.com/articles.cfm?ArticleID=080404210801 Claims no competition (other than in school) until a "higher" black belt is achieved (???) which is odd and IMO reflects poorly. I know at one time "Karate" was used as a generic term for many MAs but I surprised they still use it in all of their ads etc.

Being uniformed of the other karate styles..other than what I have read here about Kyoukushin being a more contact version of Shotokan (and some more circular moves etc.) what are the differences between the schools? Are they fairly minor points of difference in Kata? Application? I would think Kihon basics are basics across all Karate styles. Or, are most divisions really political/personality driven differences between founders? How many different Karate styles are recognized in Japan/Okinawa?

Today I just advanced from Orange to Yellow (2nd color belt)....I still am a "grasshopper." Shotokan Karate

isshinryu5toforever In regard to teenagers...I fully agree they have the skills and mental ability to be black belts...but to have really earned 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree status by the time you are 16 says alot about the style/school..IMO. I know there are the rare exceptions to the rule...but there are too many multiple degreed black belts at what seems to be ever younger and younger ages. I guess years of experience may not be the rule anymore in many cases.

Tyson would bite...... I just think from a training perspective and level of fitness...most professional boxers are at the top....they can absorb blows that would fold most of us. Avoiding a smash from one is critical...if the MMA fighter can work on the boxers legs....and stay away...he may have a chance.

In Shotokan...at least at my school...we start with a white belt and learn Kihon...basics and then start on the first Kata..this varies from school to school..but I learned Taikyoko Shodan...(combinations of downward blocks and lunge punches while moving...for an Orange belt. Today, I belt tested Heian Shodan (downward, upward, knifehand blocks, lunge punch, back-stance etc.) and received a Yellow belt. Again, we are tested on basics then the form. Each belt incorporates a similar structure.

Karate, like any martial art, teaches effective techniques for delivering powerful punches and kicks...I would assume most "street" fights involve individual who do not know each other...so any martial art trained person will have the element of surprise...especially if the attacker is larger and figures the victim to be an easy roll. Of course, how you react and if you can strike with deadly purpose is another thing. To say you are trained to gouge eyes does not mean you will. Courage cannot be taught....acting to save your life or a loved ones may be the trigger. Personally, I doubt most MMA could last very long in the ring with a real good professional boxer....wearing small mitts....I would think that a prime Holyfield or Tyson would end the match quickly. I could be wrong....I am not a devote of MMA...but that is my impression.

I attend Focus Martial Arts and my Sensei is Jim O'Hara. Jim is the current U.S. Karate Team (AAU) coach and was the 1996 World Kumite Champion in his wt class...170 lbs I think...anyway...he runs a very successful school and offers a full range of classes. His teams have been multiple winners in the international events and he brings a well rounded teaching approach to the Dojo. We focus on traditional Shotokan Kihon, Kata and Kumite but include self-defense (from knife blocks to some grappling tactics) and the mental aspects...how we carry ourselves day to day...don't appear like a victim in waiting....look up! etc. His wife Marianne is a black belt as well and her specialty is training the younger ages. Sensei says Shotokan is regarded as the most powerful form...he stresses that does not mean the best and is not a boast...just that the punches and kicks are designed to deliver the maximum force. Obviously, styles that use the same techniques have the same effect. Jim's Sensei is Jo Mirza. We recently had Jo and Ray Dalke come in for a session...very interesting to see how lifelong training can allow you to remain forceful well into your older years.

We all come with different reasons for learning a martial art...but the basic one should be self-defense. Some individuals want to compete and become the baddest MA out there...but I would guess that the vast majority of students do not come to a martial art for that. I would think the "average joe or jane" wants to learn how to react in the rare event that danger presents itself walking to their car, getting a drink in a bar etc. Obviously, being in the best shape is highly desirable...but most people will not achieve it. So, if you enjoy full contact fighting...you will have to train like a boxer. I would expect most of us have lives and demands (and finances) that limit that level of training. Shotokan allows me to train at my individual speed...nothing is given...and probably walk out of the dojo without a fractured leg. Hopefully, I will be building enough muscle memory and technique that if called upon I will be able to apply it effectively. But, I agree, to be the best prepared, you have to train hard and in as realistic a manner as possible...regardless of style.

Some more info: their black belt test was 90 minutes and they are going to start leading other kid classes...so says the article. They may know all of their katas (how well I question)...but I have a sneaking suspicion the dojo operator may have a more commercial reason for the publicity. My Sensei just shook his head and said he would put his green belt kids up against them...because they really know their stuff...have earned it. He also indicated that you rarely see these kids in tournaments or if you do they do not perform well. They simply are not proficient in the basics. The same holds true for adults....claims of high black belt degrees from some kid who is 16. Many do not perform at the level you would expect. My Sensei said he has been involved in Shotokan for 25 years and is a 4th degree black belt. He is quite active and is the coach of the U.S. Karate Team...so I suspect "grade" inflation is quite common...young or old. I understand each style has different advancement time expectations.

My local paper had an article on two kids...one 6 the other 7...who supposedly became black belts. The article indicated "Karate" but no style was indicated and the black gi's and attempted board breaking photo looked more like TKD. Regardless of the style....I cannot understand how a legit dojo could claim these kids have mastered the martial art. I know this is fairly widespread and in my opinion reflects poorly on the public perception of martial arts. General readers will either believe the status and have false expectations for their kids or they will consider it unlikely and a sham. I could be wrong...they may be Wunderkids.

In regard to the "age" question...I started last fall when I was 44...after watching my son for 2.5 years. I am not trying to be a competitor but wanted a challenge and some exercise....and am happy so far...will be testing for my Yellow (my dojo goes W, O, Y, B, G, Low P, High P, L,M,H Brown then Black). I wish I had the opportunity to do so when I was a kid....at least for me compared to my son, learning Karate takes greater effort. If I was 17 I would not worry at all...now you are motivated and not just taken to Karate like a soccer kid etc. Good luck.