GOM

The only difference between karate "styles" is the kata they practise. Shotokan will have different kihon to Goju sure, but that kihon is designed for kata. Hence, kata is the only real difference between "styles". If a dan grade from another club (style) joins my club, we take them on at the grade they are.

It is a waste of time because you are about to practise the same techniques in the kata for another 40 minutes! Yes, but the muscle memory you are building is for modern kata. Wado is a modern system, the modern techniques are to (example) punch chudan with a straight arm and horizontal fist. Add to that the long and awkward stances that you would never (I hope) use in a SD situation. This is bad muscle memory. The difference is golfers use those swings when playing golf. Karate-ka dont use kata kihon in anything by the performance of kata. We certailny don't use the kata kihon in kumite or SD. Kata kihon is the driving range for kata performance.

^^ So the kihon that you practise are for improving your kata? Why not practise the kata again and again? There are huge problems if you are not practising kihon in karate, I agree. But if the kihon you are practising is for kata, and for kata performance, then you are wasting 40 minutes of your class time as you are doubling up! Wouldn't you agree? A more sensible approach is to practise the kihon in kata by practising the kata!

Yep, they (some, not all obviously) have a chip on their shoulder, and a superiority and infiriority complex at the same time! YKD is not really more than 60 years old.

Taekkyeon is not 2000 years old, and until about 50 years ago, was considered a kind of dance, not self-defense. The majority of Koreans I have met (lived there for 2 years, and have Korean wife) have a tendency to extend the truth to save face.

^^ Is the kihon you practise kihon found in kata?

What is the point in repeating all of those kata? If you are only training in karate for the physical benefits, then that is fine. But for those who are after more, then practising 15 kata over and over is useless IMO. It just seems like extra padding into an already bulging syllabus - i.e kihon, combinations, blocks, stances, strikes, kicks, jiyu-kumite, partnerwork, joint locks, throws, grappling, etc. A better approach would be to focus on one or two kata, and practise them again and again (as well as the appropriate applicatoins and partnerwork that go along with said kata).

I doubt the forms will be in the Olympics, as only TKD practitioners would find it interesting. The wider audience would be more interested in the sparring.

The problem with the "bunkai" being thrown around today is the reverse-engineering, the process of trying to fit an application to a modern move in a modern kata. Kata have been altered, watered down - blocks becoming strikes, strikes becoming blocks, longer stances for physical development, jodan strikes becoming chudan strikes, open hands becoming closed, gedan kicks becoming chudan kicks, etc. To fully understand the applications (bunkai) in modern kata, one has to research older versions of kata. The three elements fonud in kata - one for show, one for practise, and one for application. Finding a teacher who understands this and can show you which move is which in kata is essential.

I had a bit of search, and TKD is included in the 2012 games, so obviously not gong to be the last one! Karate was so close to becoming an Olympic sport in 2012. Karate beat 4 other sports to get through to the final voting round, but the committee agreed not to include any additional sports. And in fact culled Baseball and Softball.

If I may wade into the convo about karate in the Olympics - The WKF is the only IOC recognised karate body. About 15 years ago there was a tussle between WKF (then called WUKO) and IFTK, but in the end, the WKF had the majority of numbers. There are no "styles" within the WKF, but the kata list represent Shoto, Goju, Shito, and Wado. I heard this will be the last year TKD is in the Olympics, and I am happy about that!

If you are looking for modern karate, then Shotokan (or Shito/Goju/Wado) is for you. If you are looking for older styled karate (touide or tote) than Shotokan ( or Goju/Shito/Wado) is not for you.

Can I take Hogen for $40 thanks Eddie.....

Some styles do use "Okinawan", but most do use "Japanese" because they are Japanese styles. Which "styles" would these be? Wado ryu is a "Japanese" karate rather than Okinawan. The founder Ohtsuka Sensei was keen to make this apparent in his style. The first Shotokan and Kyokushin Dojo were also established in mainland Japan, so technically they are regarded as Japanese and not Okinawan. So which styles use Okinawan then?

Some styles do use "Okinawan", but most do use "Japanese" because they are Japanese styles. Which "styles" would these be?

It's funny how we use Japanese in karate instead of Okinawan.

No, my school moved on early in 1996.

In 1995, my club (Australia) hosted the Konishi Cup. There were around 10 countries that participated if I remember correctly. It is only those who train in Japan Karate-do Ryobukai, or Shindo Jinin Ryu (spelling?) that compete.

I have seen this happen before as well. One idea is to grade the student, and you will find they will gain motivation again from the grading and excel

I think you need to ask yourself if you are happy with your current teacher. If you are, than stick with them. If you aren't, than don't .

Just to make it more annoying, there are two forms of rugby - Rugby League and Rugby Union.

What he said...

That list is very subjective, and a waste of time IMO.