Whistler fighters win first and third place in divisions
"The heart of Karate is real fighting. There can be no proof without real fighting. Without proof there is no trust. Without trust there is no respect. This is a definition in the world of Martial Arts."
That quote comes from Sasai Oyama, the father of full contact Karate, and the inspiration for the first annual Whistler Cup International Open Karate Championship on June 15.
Sure enough, the proof was in the pounding and the respect was tangible as full contact fighters from the U.S., Japan and Canada met in Meadow Park Arena thawed for its annual spring maintenance to show off their skills in the most hands-on way imaginable.
There were light, middle and heavyweight categories, plus junior and womens competitions. In addition, there were K1 and stick fighting demonstrations, the old-foot-shattering-four-baseball-bats demo, and a performance by Vancouvers Tokidoki Daiko taiko drummers.
The highlight was the fighting, however, which was intense.
Competitors wore cups, as well as optional shin pads and mouth guards. They were allowed to kick everywhere but the crotch, knee, and the back of the head. They were allowed to punch and elbow everywhere but the head, face, and neck. No grabbing or grappling techniques were allowed.
Within these parameters, spectators watched the competitors square off and battle one another at close quarters for up to six minutes.
If the referees determined that the fight was close after the first round of three minutes, then they would extend the match for another two minutes. After that time they could decide to add a third one-minute round, after which point the judges would select the winner based on intensity and the number of kicks and punches landed.
According to Joe Rankin, the sensai of Whistlers Shinseikai Karate and the host of the Whistler Cup, the event was a success.
"Its definitely going to be an annual event, same time and same place," he said. "The other dojos are coming back, were going to promote it in Japan and invite more full contact organizations from Canada and the U.S."
While the perfect weather likely kept some spectators away, Rankin hopes the turnout will increase as awareness of the sport grows through the competition.
"Most people dont know what a full contact event looks like or what goes on, but people do appreciate it a lot more once theyve seen it," Rankin says.
His own students from Shinseikai were solid in their events although many of them had never competed in a full contact event before. In fact, Rankin believes this was the first full contact competition on the West Coast.
"I was pretty impressed by everyone," said Rankin of his students. "Most of them had lower colour belts and had only been practising Karate for a few months. They were up against fighters who had three years experience at the minimum."
In the womens open event, which only had two competitors, Whistlers Catherine Bachelor took the top spot after besting Nicole Lauser of Kyokushin Karate in Washington in the first round.
Originally from New Zealand, Bachelor had about 12 years of Karate experience under her belt before moving to Whistler two-and-a-half years ago. She has been with Shinseikai for a year now, and found the tournament easier than she expected.
"Probably because Ive been fighting with men in training, I find women a little bit easier," said the 22-year-old black belt. In fact, she earned that black belt by fighting 10 men concurrently at the Whistler dojo.
Although the fight was over in less than three minutes, Bachelor says she was tired and bruised after the competition "She got a couple of pretty good shots in on me," she said.
With the adrenaline taking over, Bachelor doesnt remember the details of the fight. "I know I threw some straight, strong punches, and got a few good low leg kicks down."
Bachelor is looking forward to the next tournament, where she hopes there will be a few more girls to compete against.
She currently trains about three days a week. "Its appeal is the fitness thing, but also the self-confidence thing as well. I feel confident that I can look after myself if I get into any situations, or fights. I know my parents appreciate that."
Whistlers Mark Alexander was disqualified in his first fight for a kick to the groin which had more to do with the "sloppy technique" of his opponent than any malice said Rankin. "His opponent was wide open, and let it all hang out so to speak. The judges had to disqualify somebody, and unfortunately it was Mark."
Clyde Berskey also competed well, although he has only been in Karate for nine months. Only a blue belt, he lost his match to an experienced brown belt from Yoshukai in Victoria. Scott Jones, a blue belt, also competed in the heavyweight division against a black belt, and was knocked out of the tournament early.
Orange belt Eric Hould, who has only been with Shinsikai for six months, had more success. He lost his first match, but won his second to earn a berth in the consolation finals.
In the finals he matched up with Derek Luik of Enshinkai, also from Victoria. Although Luik was slightly bigger, Hould came out hard in the last round and put Luik on the mats a couple of times. He also landed a few big shots and kicks to the upper body and head which impressed the judges.
As a result Hould walked away with a third place trophy to go along with his swollen knuckles, and some serious bruises to his legs, arms and torso.
"You dont feel it during the fight, your adrenaline is up, and you dont feel it much between the fights because youre waiting for that. When its over, then you feel it," said Hould.
"I was pretty psyched to come third. This was my first competition, and I didnt know what to expect. We trained a lot before the competition so we were pretty sore going in."
Koji Okada, from Shinseikai Japan and a former student of Rankins, was second in his tournament against Junichi Igarashi of Yoshukai, Victoria. Although Okada was solid and landed more solid kicks and punches through the competition, Igarashi put on a show with spinning back kicks and a roundhouse to the head that the judges scored higher.
As result, Rankins team of five fighters brought home three trophies from the competition, first, second and third.
Results:
Mens Lightweight Category
1. Junichi Igarashi, Yoshukai, Victoria
2. Koji Okada, Shinseikai, Japan
3. Brian Chow, Yoshukai, Victoria
Mens Middleweight Category
1. James Morgan, Yoshukai, Victoria
2. Paul R. Nadon, Yoshukai, Victoria
3. Eric Hould, Shinseikai, Whistler
Mens Heavyweight Category
1. Matt Nafisi, Enshinkai, Victoria
2. Nigel Taylor, Enshinkai, Victoria
3. Berk Christensen, Enshinkai, Victoria
Womens Open Category
1. Catherine Bachelor, Shinseikai, Whistler
2. Nicole Lauser, Kyokushin, Washington