JULY 2019 - Toronto Wado-Kai

JULY 2019

TORONTO WADO-KAI KARATE CLUB LTD. TORONTO WADO-KAI WEBSITE: WWW.TORONTOWADOKAI.COM COMMUNICATIONS: [email protected]

PHONE: (416) 801-7435

PRESIDENT:

Sensei Dave Manara, Kudan

(9th Degree Black Belt)

VICE PRESIDENT:

Ray Kennedy, Shichidan


TECHNICAL DIRECTORS:

José-Carlos Garcia, Shichidan


Ian Mador, Rokudan


DIRECTOR:

Steve Borda, Shichidan


COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR &

FOCUS EDITOR:

Robb Dods, Rokudan


YUDANSHA MEMBERSHIP

DIRECTOR:

Ron Sheyan, Shichidan


CARIBBEAN DIRECTOR:

Freeman Thurston, Rokudan


SENIOR ADVISOR:

Michael McCarthy, Rokudan


WEBSITE DIRECTOR:

Leaton Bernard, Rokudan


AMBASSADORS:

Steve Borda, Shichidan

Ray Kennedy, Shichidan

Ron Sheyan, Shichidan

INTRODUCTION

Happy Summer, everyone!

My greatest apologies for this year’s July issue of FOCUS being published so late. Monica and I had a fantastic trip to Iceland, enjoying the summer solstice in a land of midnight sun. The trip set me back in getting this issue out. Some of our club heads also took advantage of my tardiness to send their submissions in later or keep adding to earlier ones. It’s all on me, and I am glad to have finally got this issue out!

We have almost completed our series of featured Senior Dan Council Members. I did not receive a submission for this issue, and there are only a few left.

The focus of this issue is news from the clubs, and there have been some rankings going on since the last FOCUS.

Due to an email glitch of some sort, I had not received the Training Camp pictures and write-up until the August long weekend. So, I guess the delay of this issue was for a reason because we have managed to add the Camp information before publishing.

It is never too early to remind everyone to put in your calendars the Fall Tournament on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

There is also some information in this issue about the TWKK Facebook page. It is another source for all TWKK karate-kas to visit or follow for updates of what is going on at the clubs.

Finally, here is a ‘cool’ picture for the hot summer days, taken on our trip to Iceland.

If you look really closely on the middle shore, (really closely!) you just might see me in a very rare moment practicing kata at the edge of the glacier. No really, honest! Well…

Enjoy your read! > EDITOR

ROBB DODS

http://www.torontowadokai.com/

mailto:[email protected]

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TORONTO WADO-KAI KARATE CLUB LTD.

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NEWS FROM CLUBS

CLARINGTON Karate Club, Courtice, ON Sensei Robin Singh, Sandan

(3rd Degree Black Belt)

C.O. Weldon Zabizewski,

Sandan

(3rd Degree Black Belt)

MONDAY AND

WEDNESDAYS:

6:30 – 8:00PM

Dear Karate-kas, greetings, and a Happy Summer to ALL from Clarington Wado-Kai !

I am enjoying the warm weather tremendously; and speaking of warm weather, it was an absolute gorgeous day at Caledon Camp this year! Christian and myself attended from Clarington Wado-Kai and we thoroughly enjoyed our training, and learning so many new martial arts practices from very knowledgeable and professional instructors. The seminars that I was fortunate to attend were with Sensei Leaton Bernard – a guaranteed win-win sparring strategy, Sensei Steve Borda - Kushanku Sho Kata with applications, Sensei Larry O’Grady – Red Man and Pad drills and Sensei Michael McCarthy – Introduction to Bo and Bo Kata. All were exceptional!

From this one Camp alone, I can see what a significant positive impact it had on our student, Christian! I, too, came away feeling thrilled and humbly accomplished. Lunch and refreshments were very well planned out. Great food! It was also wonderful to catch up and chat with some of the other members of our organization that I have not seen for a while! Thank you, Sensei Steve Borda for the Camp, and to all the expert instructors that helped us to improve on our Karate!

Clarington has had several rankings since February and I congratulate our Students for their training and dedication to Wado-Kai Karate. Keep up the great work Riley, Sophia N, Christian, Sophia T, Jabari and Daniel. Thanks to our instructors too, who give effortlessly to working with our students and making them better at the Art; and thanks to the parents who support their young Karate-kas!

Added note: Jabari was also ranked to Orange belt in July, so he is the first karate-ka to be reported in FOCUS having achieved two ranks!

Wishing all a safe, happy and productive Summer! > Best Regards, Sensei Robin

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CLARINGTON Karate Club, Courtice, ON Here are some pictures to share with you!

In order, Riley ranked to Brown (immediately below); Sophia N. ranked to Brown, Christian ranked to Orange, Sophia T. ranked to Brown.

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CLARINGTON Karate Club, Courtice, ON Daniel (left, ranked to Yellow), Jabari (ranked to Yellow) and Christian (ranked to

Orange).

Congratulations to Jabari on also achieving his Orange Belt on July 12th. Keep up the great work!

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BAHAMAS/ CARIBBEAN AIKIWA Karate Do / Kubudoh Association

Sensei Freeman W.

Thurston, Rokudan


CENTRE

MONDAY & FRIDAYS:

5:30 – 7PM

SATURDAYS: 10AM – 12PM

YMCA

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS:

4 – 5PM

SATURDAYS: 1 – 2PM

All is going 'full steam ahead' for our annual Wado-Kai Karate-sponsored Community Youth Training and Development Summer Programs, 2019.

Registrations are in progress, with at least one field (academics) trip on the schedule.

Once again, we have secured some local corporate financial support and assistance for our continuing operations, including distribution of uniforms (karate gis) for summer program participants. This general uniform provision program was/is made possible, originally, by the generous support of Toronto Wado-Kai Karate (TWKK) administration, the Club Heads and students of the affiliates of the organization.

We are very much appreciative of the on-going support, and we extend a gracious "Thank You" to all concerned in TWKK. We will work for a very successful summer, and attack our continuing 'challenges' (with the local Freeport Government Council's Community Centres hitherto 'off-hand' decision-making processes in programming and structuring schedules) next school year (September 2019).

Wado-Kai Karate training programs in the Bahamas and Region are not all about 'kicking and punching'.

Program participants (above) from previous summer sessions, operating a car wash (in the parking lot of local food store) after a Wado-Kai Karate-sponsored 'fun run/walk'; both fundraising events in support of continuing their annual summer camp activities.

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Bahamas Caribbean Aikiwa Karate Clubs, Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Sensei Freeman (added now to fourth Hall of Fame) by recently accepting induction into Vee Jitsu-Sanuces Ryu - Kumite Ryu Black Belt Hall of Fame by Grand Master Anthony

"Hit Man" Mohammed at Awards presentations, Jaguar Jiu Jitsu School of Survival, Freeport Grand Bahama, the Bahamas, headed by Professor Ivan Moss.

Some 20 years ago, Martial Artists (Wado, Goju, Kung Fu, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do) in the Northern Bahamas had banded together as 'The Northern Alliance' to promote/support each other. Sensei Freeman, Executive Vice President, Bahamas Karate Federation (BKF), Northern Bahamas/ Chairman, Amateur Boxing Association of Grand Bahama (ABAGB), was voted Northern Alliance Chairman, and now serves as Chairman Emeritus of the group.

We have a very successful (and comprehensive) schedule for this year's Summer Programs offering ahead of our Summer break.

Programs offerings included: Below: Tutorials for participants who are candidates for National Exams (Math/Sciences)

Below: Field trips (Power generation/Distribution facilities; local Wild fowl sanctuary for local species, and 'fly-in' visitors)

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Bahamas Caribbean Aikiwa Karate Clubs, Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Where do Bahamas Wado Kai Karate go from here?

We are looking forward to the beginning of the school year in September, when a series of continuing challenges await us; the primary being our success (or not) in our on-going lobby to be included in our Local Government's "Schedules for Community Centres" programming (2019/2020). A reminder from the last FOCUS issue, we were unexpectedly excluded from last year's Schedules after our most recent (2018/2019) local government councils elections cycle, after many decades of our association with previous Government Council.

EDMONTON Karate Clubs, Edmonton AB

Sensei Randy James,

Shichidan


ST. PATRICK SCHOOL and

NORTH POINTE COMMUNITY

CHURCH

Sensei André Beauregard

Rokudan

(6th Degree Black Belt) ANDRE’S BUDO CENTRE INC. TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS: 7:00 – 9:00PM

At Andre’s Budo Centre:

Congratulations to Nathalie Bilodeau-Lepage (right) and Charles Chenard who both received their Shodan rank; to Jaedon C. who was awarded his Junior Shodan, and Roger Groenewold and Tish Prouse who both received their Brown belt.

They all worked hard on June 29th during a grueling and intense two-hour test.

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Edmonton Karate Clubs, Edmonton, AB

Jaedon C., Charles, Roger, Tish

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Edmonton Karate Clubs, Edmonton, AB

At the North Pointe Community Church:

At our Thursday night class [we're missing a few students in this picture] Sempai Al Schaffer and I tested Nellie Readner our 80-something year old karate-ka for her 1st Kyu. Nellie is, currently, the oldest practicing karate-ka in our TWKK organization! During Nellie’s ranking, it was important to not focus solely on the physical elements of the test and rank, but also the fact that she has been with me at our Northpointe Church club for approximately 10 years, and rarely misses a class; she really is quite remarkable. > Sensei Randy James

Also shown is a picture missed from the last issue of Sensei Ed Young receiving his 6th Dan.

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BROOKLIN Family Karate Club, Brooklin, ON

Sensei Anthony Woodward,

Godan


Sensei Heather Cant-

Woodward, Godan & C.O.


MONDAY AND THURSDAY: 7:00 – 8:30PM

Website: http://www.brooklinkarate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrooklinWhitbyKarate?ref=hl Twitter: @brooklinkarate

An Invitation to Broaden Your Horizons

Brooklin Family Karate runs a bi-monthly Senior Belt class. Students from all clubs are welcome to attend. Please e-mail Sensei Ron Sheyan at [email protected] if you would like to be placed on an e-mail distribution list. You can also visit www.brooklinkarate.com and click on the “Class Schedule and Location” tab for further details.

Congratulations!

On May 7, four of our students went to Thornhill for their grading and they were very successful!

Pictured below are Iain, who achieved his Shodan-Ho; Erin, who achieved her Shodan-Ho; Tyler, who achieved his Junior Shodan; and Marc, who achieved his Shodan.

Keep up the good work and we wish you continued success.

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone on their new ranks!

http://www.brooklinkarate.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BrooklinWhitbyKarate?ref=hl

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Brooklin Karate Club, Brooklin, ON

Recent Gradings

Congratulations to our students who have recently achieved their next rank. Your promotions are well deserved!

Pictured below is Natasha who received her brown belt.

Pictured right are Josie and Suzy who achieved their yellow belts.

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RYERSON Karate Club, Toronto, ON

Sensei Leaton Bernard,

Rokudan


MONDAY & WEDNESDAY: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

SATURDAY: 10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON

Congratulations to our recent Ryerson Warriors ranking!

Thuy Nguyen attained her 4th Kyu! Watch out for Thuy... she continues to be a proven intense and enthusiastic karate-ka, soaking up the training regimen and humbly progressing at an alarming rate.

I am continually humbled by the dedication and intensity of our Ryerson karate-kas and our Wado-Kai community on a whole – an ongoing, uplifting and rewarding experience!

Our Ryerson dojo remains open to all our Wado-Kai members. Regardless of where you work or live, if you happen to be in the downtown core, please drop in to train or just say "Hi". > Sensei Leaton Bernard

OUR CONDOLENCES

The TWKK wishes to extend our condolences to Marion Dimand, Sandan and Chester Buczek, Yodan on the passing of Marion’s mother, Agnes Dimand on April 21st. The link to the obituary and celebration of life: https://chapelridgefh.frontrunnerpro.com/book-of-memories/3814772/Dimand-Elisabeth/

https://chapelridgefh.frontrunnerpro.com/book-of-memories/3814772/Dimand-Elisabeth/

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW BLACK BELT RANKS

Congratulations to the following Yudansha members recently promoted.

Edmonton:

To Shodan: Nathalie Bilodeau-Lepage and Charles Chenard

To Junior Shodan: Jaedon C.

Ajax – Pickering:

To Sandan: Daina Als

Brooklin Family Karate:

To Shodan: Marc Seemungal

To Shodan-Ho: Iain Cowie

To Junior Shodan-Ho: Erin D. and Tyler I.

Oshawa-Whitby Wado-Kai:

To Sandan: Anson Burnett

To Nidan: Jay Popert and Brian Smith

To Shodan: Nikolas Morado

To Junior Shodan-Ho: Alexandra M.

Toronto Wado-Kai Karate Club Ltd. Facebook Page

This is information about the TWKK Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TorontoWadoKai

TWKK Club Heads and approve Communication Officers, on behalf of their clubs, are allowed to post events and club information on our Facebook page. The following are the governing rules. The administration team on behalf of the organization has the right to remove inappropriate postings.

All posts must be Toronto Wado-Kai Karate (and affiliated clubs) related. There will be no advertising and no promotions for non-TWKK related activities. All posts must be "Family Friendly".

Posts could include announcements such as:

• Upcoming Yudansha / Supplemental Yudansha classes

• Tournaments

• Yudansha ranking promotions announced by the clubs

• Club registrations

• Karate Camp

• Special clinics / classes

• Photos (from all of the above) - for pictures of minors (under the age of 18), first names only and no tagging if they have their own FB page

• Announcements when the FOCUS newsletter is available

• There must not be any negative comments on the page.

• The Clubs should not post videos.

Thank you to the TWKK Facebook Administrators: Sensei Samantha Rockbrune, Ron Sheyan, and Robb Dods

https://www.facebook.com/TorontoWadoKai/?ref=bookmarks

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June Training Camp in Caledon at Sensei Borda’s Farm

Another year, another great camp! I had been looking at the 10-day weather forecast and it was telling me we would be having thunderstorms for the day. This concerned me as we really don’t have a rainout location. There is the tent that we put up for some shade for lunch, but having the seminars under that would have been a little crowded. Although I remember one of the camps at Wasaga Beach when the wind was blowing so hard we had a sandstorm on the beach. It was decided to hold the session in Sensei’s cabin. Not a highly physical activity, but the discussions gave us some great mental activity, which is always good, as well. It’s not just the physical, we need an equal focus on mind, body and spirit. This is how we enhance our training.

Anyways, as luck would have it, the weather turned out great. Clear sky, a gentle breeze to keep us cool, and lots of camaraderie. We had some participants from quite a distance. The prize goes to Sensei Donal O’Grady (also our Redman) and Sensei Ayron O’Grady from the Pembroke Shito Ryu Karate Club for a distance of 441 kilometers, while Sensei John Pasick (Harrow Chito Ryu) gets a close second with 355 kilometers. We also had some of the old timers (I’m sure I’ll hear from them about that term, LOL), Sensei Ron and Roseann Ruskay, Sensei Rob Stark, Sensei Eric and Julie Bergman. While no longer active in karate, they are still part of our karate family. Great to see them come out to mingle and help out!

This year we had the opportunity to have some non-TWKK instructors on the agenda. I think this is amazing, as we got to explore some different viewpoints, whether they were from another style of karate or from another martial art. It gives the brain a bit of a workout as well as the body. I also enjoyed Sensei Tami Dacks (Annex Judo Academy) use of Sensei Michael McCarthy as her uke. It was something to see her send Sensei Mike through the air and land him into a submission hold.

When it was decided in 2017 not to continue the camps at Wasaga Beach, I decided that I would hold a mini-camp for my own students. This was a last-minute thought, so planning was almost non-existent. I let Sensei Manara know that I was doing so, and invited the rest of TWKK. Everything turned out well, although the numbers were small (we only had 17 participants), but no one really had been given much notice. In 2018, we let everyone know earlier so they could plan for it. We ended up with 35 in attendance. This year, with a little better planning we had 48 in attendance, so we seem to be growing a little.

I would like to thank all the Camp instructors for sharing their time and knowledge with us. Sensei Dave Manara, Sensei Steve Borda, Sensei Larry

O’Grady, Sensei Michael McCarthy, Sensei Leaton Bernard, Sensei Sandy Roney (Shikomu Karate Club, Hamilton), Sensei Chris Stafford (Toronto Goju Ryu Karate Club, Toronto) and Sensei Tami Dacks (Annex Judo Club, Toronto). I also thank Sensei Eric Bergman and Melissa Ruskay for making sure we all got fed at lunch time. Thanks to our Camp photographer Sensei Larry O’Grady and his assistant photographer Sensei Julie Bergman.

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Thanks, also, to the preliminary Camp set-up team of Sensei Larry O’Grady, Sensei John Lobo and Sensei Lenore Eng, as well as to Sensei John Pasick who helped with the final Camp set-up. Finally, thanks to all the participants and spectators for your participation and enthusiasm.

Check out some of the camp photo’s on facebook with “Seikikai Karate”. Plan on next year’s Camp, scheduled for July 4, 2020. See you there. < Sensei Steve Borda

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TWKK Gallery For More Pictures of TWKK Events

Visit Our Flickr Site http://www.flickr.com/photos/33364500@N06/sets

Visit the TWKK Facebook page for updates & announcements: www.facebook.com/TorontoWadoKai

TORONTO WADO-KAI KARATE CLUBS AND CLUB HEADS

AJAX-PICKERING – Daina Als EDMONTON Clubs – Randy James & André Beauregard

BAHAMAS/CARIBBEAN AIKIWA – Freeman Thurston OSHAWA-WHITBY – José-Carlos Garcia

BEAUBASSIN (Halifax) – Dan Duce & Kim Duggan RYERSON (Toronto) – Leaton Bernard

BROOKLIN-WHITBY – Anthony Woodward & Heather Cant-

Woodward SEIKIKAI MARTIAL ARTS (Etobicoke) – Steve Borda

CALGARY – Steve Henrich THORNHILL – Dave Manara

CLARINGTON – Robin Singh YUDANSHA HOMBU (Unionville) – Dave Manara

TORONTO WADO-KAI SENIOR DAN COUNCIL Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt)

Dave Manara

Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt)

Steve Borda, José-Carlos Garcia, Randy James, Ray Kennedy, Ron Sheyan

Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

André Beauregard, Leaton Bernard, Biller Ching, Robb Dods, Ian Mador, Tony Marziliano,

Michael McCarthy, Larry O’Grady, Freeman Thurston, Ed Young

Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)

Eric Bergman, Ken Buck, Heather Cant-Woodward, Joel Cohen, James Darker, Steve Henrich,

Margaret Michael, Frank Murphy, Ron Ruskay, Jim Sullivan, Anthony Woodward Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt)

Andy Basacchi, Dan Duce, Kim Duggan, Alex Nguyen, Annamae Thurston

Fall Wado-Kai Tournament is October 26, 2019

Thornhill Community Centre

See Flyer on Website

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33364500@N06/sets

https://www.facebook.com/TorontoWadoKai/?ref=bookmarks

JULY 2019 - Toronto Wado-Kai

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