CIRCULAR OCTOBER 09, 2004
Ossu.
You will be pleased to know that the trip to Japan, as part of the JKA Indian National Karate Team, was very fruitful. The 13 member team, headed by Anand Ratna Sensei, (JKAI Tech. Director), and captained by Neeraj Dhawan Sensei, consisted of 6 members from Mumbai and 6 from Noida Dojo. As predicted, Debashish Bagh, Somya and Shrey Prakash were the 3 top seeds from our Dojo. In spite of this being their very first International exposure, all 3 of them won the respect and admiration of the rest of the Indian Team members, by the way they trained for/ and performed in their events. Another 2 members, Ayesha Vasdev, (Sanskriti School), and Abhishek Arora, (DPS International, Saket), were taken on as trainees, but also got the privileged opportunity to represent the tri-colour.
The team came back with 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 5 Bronze medals from the Akita Championships, and performed very well at the World Cup. Somya Prakash was one of the Gold medal winners at the Akita Championships, and placed in the top 8 at the World Shoto Cup. Shrey Prakash lost in the semi-finals at the Akita Championships, and defeated Venezuela at the World Cup to get into the top 16. Debashish Bagh also fought well in both the tournaments and placed in the top 8 in the Kata event. Neeraj Dhawan won 2 bronze medals in the Men’s Open Individual Kata and Kumite events respectively, at the Akita Championships, and defeated Mexico and Thailand in Kumite to get into the top 32 at the World Cup.
The Team Members, who had to lead an independent and disciplined life, benefited greatly from this trip, not only by the progress they made in their Karatedo, but also in terms of the cultural experience:
The Indian team also got to interact with a lot of different groups in Japan. This included training with the Tenri High School Karatedo Team; Helping the Akita Red Cross Society with their Blood Donation Campaign; Visiting the Honjo Fire Dept; Putting up Hindi Dance & Song Performances at cultural evenings; Visiting the infamous SHARP Corporation Factory and Museum; Exchanging souvenirs and building strong friendships with teams from different countries at the World Cup. The next World Cup is in New Zealand, in 2006… so start saving so that you can be there to witness the coronation of the Kings from JKAI NOIDA DOJO.
THE 4TH DELHI STATE ALL-STYLES KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – OCTOBER 3 & 4, 2004
Sensei Dhawan would like to thank each one of you for continuing to inspire him to carry on walking on his chosen path… as a Karateka, an Instructor, Coach, as well as a Competitor. You will be proud to know that he won all the 5 Gold Medals for Men’s Open Indiviual Kata; Men’s Individual Kumite -65 Kg; Men’s Individual Kumite Open Weight; Men’s Team Kata; and Men’s Team Kumite on Monday night. Based on his performance, he was also short-listed to represent India at the forthcoming WKF World Championships in Mexico, next month. However, as the expenses (Rs. 1,50,000/-) for the trip are to be borne by the participant, Sensei has decided to opt out.
THE JKAI NOIDA DOJO TRAINING SCHEDULE AND CLASS TIME-TABLE
Address: THE SCHOOL, A-73, SECTOR 34, NOIDA
Class Timings: Mon, Wed, Fri Evenings: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday Mornings: Beginners: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
*Kata: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
*Kumite: 11:00 – 12:00 noon
*Only open for general training till Sunday, Oct 17, 2004.
SPECIAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE FORTHCOMING TOURNAMENT SEASON
All students interested in Grading exams, as well as in representing JKAI NOIDA DOJO at State, Regional and National Tournaments must start training regularly and maintain an above-average attendance record at the Dojo. From Sunday, October 24, 2004, all the Sunday Kata & Kumite Classes at the Dojo will be catered to coaching and selecting the Squad. All those wishing to join the Squad must attend these sessions and meet the selection criteria. Those already invited into these Squad sessions through personal letters do not have to pay any extra charges except their Dojo dues. However, those who wish to take initiative and attend these sessions, will have to acquire permission and also pay a charge of Rs. 250/- for entry into the sessions.
22nd JKAI NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, TRAINING CAMP AND GRADING EXAMS, GOA.
The22nd JKA All India Championships will be held in Goa from the January 28 – February 05, 2005. This period also includes the 3-days training and grading camp, (with the former 2 times JKA World Kata Champion, Shihan Takenori Imura), which will precede the tournament. For details, log on to http://www.jkaindia.org/_Final/JKAIndiaEvents.htm
Wishing everyone all the very best with their Karatedo journey.
Ossu.