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Volume 4 Issue 3 |
Editor: Dave Christman | March 2002 |
| Dojo
News......Kata practice in March
kind of got blown to the wayside because of the busy schedule, so let's try to make sure we all make an
effort to get there this coming 2nd Saturday in April. That would be April
13th. (Luke, you got some Brownie points anyway.....) NOTICE
- I'm afraid the dojo
dues are going to go up $5.00 per month. I'm forced to do this. The
co-operative idea of "sharing space" with other clubs is a great
idea. It allows clubs to exist that may not otherwise even have a chance.
They couldn't afford to rent space as nice as what we have. The problem
begins when clubs drop out, and quit meeting and paying rent. The space
becomes more expensive for the remaining clubs. This......friends, is what
has happened. I'll be explaining the new payment plan further on the next
few Sundays. Sorry.
Welcome......to new beginner Vic Lewis. |
Matsuura on the right Photo by B. Poulson |
Detroit Tournament Matsuura sensei was tapped again this year as "official translator" to the Japanese guests at the 4th Annual Michigan Rensei Tournament. This year it was Emperor's Cup champion, Iwasa Hidenori. The other people from our dojo who participated were Bob Mack, Atsushi Ikenobu and Jason Mills. In the spectator section was Barry Poulson, who graciously donated his photos, many of which you will see here. Two of our members did very well in the competition, Ikenobu went to the finals in the shodan-nidan division, alas losing that final match but placing second. Jason Mills won 4 matches in a row in the mudansha division, winning his court, and going into the top 8 before losing the 5th match. Matsuura had a brilliant idea, he noticed Hajime Sugawara (a perennial Midwest champion - 5th dan) was the lone representative from Indiana University so he asked him to join our team. Sugawara is a jodan expert, and a old friend of mine. The team did well by taking Chicago A team down to the wire, and giving them a good scare. |
| For more good photos from Detroit taken by Barry's camera Click here. Also Matsuura got a scoop again, and an exclusive interview with the Champion, it is eye-opening.....please Click here to read it |
Toyoda Center Demo.......Bob Mack and Craig Dieringer traveled to Grand Rapids to participate in a Grand Opening of an Aikido dojo on March 16th. They said they were well received and had many spectators at the demo. The Toyoda Center is trying to start a kendo practice in the Grand Rapids area...long time a desert as far as kendo goes. Rumor has it Mr. Harada (4th dan) has consented to help the Toyoda group. Harada has twice visited us here in Battle Creek. Thanks Bob & Craig, for doing your part to present kendo to others. |
| My Vacation......I missed all the above action this month because I planned my annual ski vacation back in September. It seems kendo people love to schedule cool kendo events right on top of my best laid plans. Well, I hope this photo lets you know the kind of scenery I was looking at, in the Austrian Alps. |
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Upcoming Events...... |
"OUR" Kata Seminar.....The 2nd Saturday for April is the 13th. Be there. Cleveland Tournament-May 4th Entry forms are available at the dojo. Matsuura sensei is going to this tournament, you can make travel arrangements with him.
MWKF
Team Try-outs, April-20th
Try outs for the
MWKF Team, Individuals, and Goodwill positions will be held at Dee Park
Recreational Gymnasium (Choyokan DesPlaines Dojo site) from 2PM-6PM. A
DesPlaines practice will follow from 6PM-8PM. Conditions for eligibility:
Current AUSKF member (before March 31, 2002 ). AUSKF 2001 member. Must
be able to afford the travel expenses. Midwest members will be
responsible for their own transportation, accommodations, food, etc. If
below 18 years of age, a chaperone must accompany.
Summer Camp-June 21-23rd Kalamazoo College This is the official date, it will be before the July 4th US Championships, but long after the MWKF team selection process. There may be a "REAL BIG" surprise later announced about this camp this year. Click here to download registration forms. AUSKF National Championships- July 5-7 In Las Vegas, this is what you could call the "top" tournament in the USA. It is only once every 3 years. AUSKF National Iaido summer camp- July ? Rumor has it, it will be held in Colorado Springs, CO. sometime in late July.
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| "Freddie the "Bungler" is a creation of George Izui sensei in Chicago. He first started these cartoons to entertain and educate the youthful members of the Chicago Kendo Dojo many years ago. This corner of our Newsletter is dedicated to him, with different cartoon each month. |
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Each month I'll have a quote from Golf and Sports Psychologist Dr. Bob Rotello. Notice its similarities to kendo. GOLFER'S CORNER " No matter how bad a person's swing might be, it usually feels pretty good to the individual. He's done it a thousand times. He's used to it. He just can't understand why his comfortable shot keeps producing bad shots." Dr. Bob Rotello has numerous books on improving your golf game available. Check it out at Amazon.com |
e-mail the editor: let me know your comments at: dtc12@attbi.com
This
is one of my favorite cartoons of sensei, if you have been in kendo ANY
length of time at all, you have run up against this guy, the one who
always has a men that feels like an axe, yet no matter how often everybody
tells him "too much right hand" he never seems to get it.