Zatoichi

A mature attitude isn't enough, but it helps. If a 71 out of 100 is your second highest score... what grade do you need to pass on that test and others? If it's on a education grading system you'd be considered passing by the skin on your teeth. Congratulations on passing your exam.

Bob Sapp fighting profile It would appear that bob sapp has been defeated a couple of times both by submission. So he is "beatable". The people that beat him are about 6'2 and a little above 250.

i'd call my martial arts style "better than yours". Because it just is. Just kidding.

I do it for health and fitness.

Sohan deserves poster of the month

I've seen that one, it's really not that hard to take apart. The gungfu stylists simply weren't used to dealing with a kicker. They had no effective entrance strategy and would be hit fading in, then they'd give up the close range and fade out and be kicked on their way out. If you only watch the punches, the gungfu stylists were more successful than the karateka, they connected more with those and were better able to trap and defend in their range. But short punches aren't as dramatic at an axe or spinning kick, so generally you just see the big sweep of the big white-panted leg headhunting them from angles they weren't accustomed to. Well the thing about kyokushin is conditioning your body to take a punch in order to give a punch. Therefore even IF you just look at the Wushu fighter's punches, they didn't really phase any of them at all. Think of it like boxing. They defend and sure enough punches do get through but those punches don't knock you out due to your conditioning. Those Wushu guys have NO power whatsoever behind those punches. It's all form no function. The key to kyokushin kumite is that it is full contact but you cannot punch to the head, you can only kick to the head. That being said most knockouts come from high kicks to the head or punches to the body that crumple the less conditioned fighter. So your statement about ignoring the kicks and focusing on the punches is a moot point. Function over Flash any day. BTW have you ever sparred full contact in capoiera?

AMEN Sohan

I agree somewhat with what you said. I believe that hardwork and dedication should show in your form and power regardless of what belt you are. BUT It's nice to have that black belt hanging from your waist as a sign of the amount of time you've put it. It would be like asking everyone to drive a toyota camry. It's a wonderful car. It runs well. But some people can afford to drive a ferrari. Is the toyota worse than the ferrari? Not necessarily. It's just a sign of wealth and prosperity. And they are fun to drive. The only thing I don't like is the arrogance that some people have when achieving their black belt. If we could take away the arrogance and just train hard regardless of your ability then all would be well and we wouldn't have a need for belts.

No I didn't ask if it was a mcdojo because they didn't fight back. I said that because of the fees that they "claim" were owed because of the use of a martial arts brand name.

Thanks for the wise words guys. I'll do a little research on the monohydrate and other forms of creatine out there. Have you guys tried Nitric Oxide?

My first exposure was my dad beating me up as a little child and throwing me over a cliff to see if I was strong enough to make it back on my own. Just kidding..... My first exposure was actually Star Wars. I remember saying to my parents that I wanted to be a Jedi.... no wait that's not it either.

Effectiveness vs. Flashiness Kyokushin vs. Drunken Kung Fu XMA is all flash. There is nothing effective about doing a windmill to knock out your opponent. And I will say the same about wushu as well. BTW Too bad Sandra Hess isn't pretty in the face, if she was she'd have a wonderful career in Holywood. The next female Van Damne?

Actually i'm taking Creatine Esther Ethyl in the PILL form. Do you know if it's any different than powder form? I didn't know that creatine was in liquid form. Do you take any other supplements beside creatine?

Hello. I've recently gone back to kyokushin karate and love it! I did shotokan in middle school and worked out a little with bench press and arm curls in high school. Now that i'm an "adult" with more money to put into my hobby i've joined a gym to focus on other parts of my body to enhance my kumite in kyokushin. After a couple of months of working out i've talked to friends that work out as well and they've suggested taking creatine ethyl ester (in pill form) and nitric oxide (pill form) to enhance my session and results. I've been taking these supplements this past week, and my girlfriend doesn't really approve. She feels that i'm "cheating" and that any result is unnatural to my progression. Another great point that she made that got me to think was a mention about old martial artists (ie Sosai Mas Oyama). I don't think that creatine was popularly available when they trained nor did nitric oxide. So any gains that they made resulted from hard work and pain. So my questions, - Do you take creatine as a supplement with your weight training for martial arts? - Do you feel that it's gains are "un-natural" and go against the martial arts philosphy of training in a natural fashion and to keep your body pure? - Are there any negatives for taking creatine? - Is there a difference between creatine in powder or pill form? Osu and Thank you Marc

XMA really urks me a little. People without martial arts knowledge see that and say, "WOW! I want to do that!" They join a dojo and are disappointed to see the total opposite of that. Effectiveness vs. Flashiness XMA has it's place.... on a hollywood film set.