Zanshin #26

in focus on target

Newsletter of the Trinidad Karate

Association (TKA)

Issue #26JAN - MAR, 2016

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Zanshin - Trinidad KaraTe associaTion newsleTTer 2 3

Happy Karate New Year to one and all.

I hope you had a Happy and Holy ChristmasAs we enter the new year, let us continue to recognize that Karate is a journey of self-improvement and self-discovery and that we can use the major benefits of karate on a daily basis. Through the practice of Karate we can inter alia, be more patient, more in control of our emotions and actions, and live life with a more positive, and responsible attitude.

Thank you all for making the TKA a successful organization in 2015 both here and abroad and we thank God for that. Let us continue that tradition of success in 2016. At the beginning of this year 2016, let us step back and revaluate how we can best move forward and set goals which we can achieve in this year. Be grateful for what we received last year, all the good things and the challenges that made us stronger and continue to make us stronger. Let us continue to reach out to our fellow human beings in the Association and make a difference so that at end of the year we can also say “yes we reached out and achieved in 2016.”

This year will be a year filled with activities meant to bring out our best. The Association hopes to introduce inter club tournaments and host certified Judges and elite sports Coaches training courses. Training will also commence in January for the 12th CKC/IKD Caribbean Championships as well as for members participating in the proposed WKF Caribbean Karate Championships which Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting under the auspices of the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union (TTKU), the nationally recognized Karate Sports organization of which the TKA is a member.

Intertwined in all of this will be fund-raising activities as the TKA receives no formal government funding and funds are greatly needed if we are to continue to be a Karate force in Trinidad and Tobago.

So continue to seek perfection of character, be patient, endeavour, respect others and refrain from violent behavior.

As mentioned in our last edition in December last year, the Association hosted its biennual award ceremony and this Edition will give you full details of that auspicious event.

RegardsShihan Wesley Dexter Shim Chairman & Chief Instructor TKA(IKD)

Issue #26 JAN - MAR, 2016


JANUARY

evenTs calendar, 2016

FEBRUARY MARCH

JULY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

12th 28th1ST TERM BEGINS INTERCLUB TOURNAMENT

• GRADING• MARCH 26TH

FITNESS BLAST 3 (TSSW- TOBAGO)

• TTKU TOURNAMENT

• GRADING(TBA)• 2ND WKF APPROVED

CARIBBEAN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS(TBA)

• 23-25TH CKC 12TH IKD\CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, JAMAICA

• JULY 23RD - SUMMER SPLASH (BEACH LIME) (TSSW- TOBAGO)

• TTKU-REFEREE COURSE ST. AUGUSTINE DOJO(TBA)

• GRADING(TBA)• TTKU

TOURNAMENT(TBA)

• DECEMBER 8TH BRING YOUR PARENTS TO TRAIN DAY (TSSW- TOBAGO)

• DECEMBER 15TH CHRISTMAS EAT-UP (TSSW- TOBAGO)

• TTKU INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT-MALONEY SPORTING FACILITY(TBA)

• OCTOBER- CURACAO OPEN- CURACAO (TBA)

• UWI ORIENTATION(TBA) • OSKK INVITATIONAL(TBA)

OTHER PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TO BE ANNOUNCED INCLUDE: (I) CKC/IKD CERTIFIED PROGRAM (II) IKD CERTIFIED JUDGES COURSE (III) CKC ELITE SPORT KARATE COACHES COURSE(IV) CKC ELITE SPORT TRAINING (V) BEACH TRAINING AT SALYBIA


IKD BIENNUAL AWARD CEREMONY 2015

Remarks bySimone Thorne Mora

Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security

On behalf of the Minister and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Trinidad Karate Association for the hosting of its awards ceremony here tonight. For as the well renowned author and motivator Constance Chuks Friday once said “Reward is not a privilege, reward is justice for work well done” The head of the National Operations Centre (NOC), a key establishment within the country’s law enforcement apparatus Division and currently under the Ministry of National Security is a martial arts expert, Retired Major Sarwan Boodram who is quoted as saying “the more you sweat in peace time, the less you bleed in war…..Through the art of Karate “People are taught to avoid assault situations and the prevention and the critical time line principles for personal safety.”The Ministry supports any legitimate organization such as yours that indirectly assist us to do our job of ensuring the safety and security of our nation.

In fact I quote from your letter of invitation requesting a few words from the Ministry at this auspicious event: “The Association has trained approximately 8,000 students in Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 4 yrs. and 70 yrs. since its inception in the 1970s….As Karate has and continues to contribute to treating with some of the negative security issues in the country through its insistence on discipline, abhorrence to violence and focus on personal and community safety, the Trinidad Karate Association would be very delighted if you would give a short address to the attendees, perhaps focusing on each individual’s responsibility to ensuring a safe and secure society.”For the non-Karate guests here today who may not be aware, the word karate is Japanese for “open or empty hand” . Kara means open\empty and te means hand. Te signifies that your main weapon is your body. Instead of an arsenal of swords or guns, the Karateka or person who practices Karate cultivates a personal arsenal of punches, kicks and deflection techniques to defend himself. Kara relates to the psychology of karate and Karatekas are open to the world around them, making them better equipped to handle any attack.

In closing, the Ministry wishes the TKA continued success on its journey, both as a sporting organization and as a family. More importantly may the members, friends, family and supporters continue to support the organization and appreciate the friendships made. For as Jesse Owens once said “friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.” And last but not least one of my favourite quotes taken from Ken Follett, the Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels who has sold more than 150 million copies of his works “Hard work should be rewarded by good food.”



Featured SpeakerSensei Nataki Hypolite

4th Dan

Discipline, Honour and Intergrity In Karate

I must admit that when I was asked speak this evening on discipline, honour and integrity in karate training and how it impacts our lives that I really didn’t know where to start… I haven’t been an avid reader of philosophical books or even books on karate. So I did what most of us in the dojo do when we’re stuck or have a small problem...I asked Sensei Ian…he is never short on advice.

Anyway he said to me: “just speak from your experience”. So that had me thinking a bit about the reasons I started karate and what is that made me stay……

For those of us who practice karate, our entry into the art form would have been as a result of different motivating factors. Some of us saw it as a form of self defense and a way to get in a bit of exercise. Some of us would have been attracted to the fantastic physical feats and display of skills of our personal heroes we may have seen on film or even in the ring

and thinking to ourselves, “one day I want to be able to do that!.” And there are those for whom it would have been a simple and straight forward case of your parents thinking…”this child need some discipline, best we send him to learn karate!”. Because for some reason parent always associate karate training with discipline? I suppose for some of us it brings images of those old movies where there’s an old sensei standing over a student while he cleans the dojo floor with a small tooth brush or does 1000 push-ups on the finger tips!

But whatever the reason, we are here. We started our training first as white belts, learning basic movements and techniques, some of us a little awkward, others maybe with a bit more natural ability. And as we passed our grading exams and moved up in rank we begin to realize that we may have grown a bit stronger, or a bit faster. We increased our physical strength and technical skill. We find that in some instances we are actually able to defend ourselves or defeat another competitor in the tournament ring.

But these improvements do not happen just like that. They come with with training and practice over time by the dedicated student. Continuing our training and effort is how we develop our discipline.

Also when we train we are taught the importance of seniority and our elders in karate, those who have started training before must be shown due respect. We don’t only reserve this respect for our senseis, our fellow karatekas are shown the same respect when we face off against each other in training, we bow and say osu! When we practice kumite, although we compete against each other we bow and say osu! As we constantly practice this show of respect to others, we also learn to respect ourselves. This is honour.

Again in our training we learn the dojo kun… the five guiding principles left to us by Master Funakoshi:

Seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavour, respect others refrain from violent behavior!



The dojo kun tells us that

1. No one is perfect, there is always more to learn, room to grow, you will never know or be it all.

2. You must be committed, to your practice in karate, to your education whether you’re at school or university, to your trade or career, to your family, to your relationships. If you do not give these things the time needed, then you will not succeed.

3. You must constantly work towards your goals. Keep in mind what you want and keep trying to achieve it. Even if there are setbacks along the way or you have some disappointment, or make a mistake, don’t not get upset, do not get frustrated, you build your spirit and keep moving forward. Try again. Never Give Up!

4. It tells us to respect all around you, your parents, your teachers, elders in your community. Listen to what others have to say. Respect your senior karatekas, no matter how old or young. Be humble. Respect yourself, do not engage in activities or behaviours that will make you cower or hide in shame. Do things that will make you feel proud.

5. Finally the Dojo Kun tells us that anger and violence get us nowhere. Stay away from conflict. And as Sensei Shim always tells us… “control your emotions”.

By repeating and practicing these priniciples daily we develop our integrity.

Karate is not merely a sport. It is a lifelong discipline. When you approach life’s challenges in the same way we practice karate technique, we will build strong relationships, exceed our perceived abilities and accomplish great things. In our karate training we do not only polish our echnique but as we practice the principles of karate-do we also nurture our mind, our attitude and our spirit.

Our karate principles are also principles for life.

Karate forces you to do better. We must always try to be our best selves…..who you are today must be better than yesterday and who you will be tomorrow must be better than today.

When I look around our dojo I see so many positive examples of the teachings of karate… people who practice these teachings not only inside the dojo, but at their school, at home, at work or with other activities. They encourage me and I’m sure they also encourage you.

I want to be a better, better in karate, better at work, better at life and this is why I keep training, this is why I practice karate-do!

Thank you to all who train and set a great example!

Thank you!



Featured AddressShihan

Dexter Wesley ShimChairman and Chief Instructor, TKA

Greetings to Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry ot National security Simone Thome, fellow Karateka, Parents, family spouses and partners who stand in the wings and support unstintingly all of us students, who train together this wonderful art of Katare-Do.

When I look back on the year now coming to a close, I have to say how very proud I feel about our diverse achievements over the last two years.

Our winning of the IKD World Cup 2015 in Toronto was really the icing on the cake. and is the result of many months of dedicated and disciplined training of our young and young at heart Karatekas. But, whereas it is good to test our skills and push our limits in competitions it is also the training to achieve that milestone that we honour here tonight. The dedication and commitment of our team, the many hours they persisted, travelling miles to altend training sessions, never giving up giving of their best in spite of being tired somethimes overwhelmed, pushing lhe envelope beyond limits, from the youngest our Arima Sangre Grande and Tora students, to the senior division competitors sweating their way through training, night after night, day after day.

Karate competition and tournaments have become a central part of Karate training now and our duty as Instructors is to make sure that in this training we incorporate the sterling values of Karate-Do into it.

Competition challenges us to find the courage to go out and perform in front of a crowd, and regardless of if you win or lose, in the words of Rudyard Kipling’s great poem, ‘If” we learn in the process ‘to treat those two impostors iust the same’ and to show good sportsmanship. I am so proud of you Karatekas who have dared to live life outside the box. To get up and face a crowd requires great courage, let alone to also perlorm in front of that crowd. It requires discipline, stability and a desire to cultivate beyond your fears a belief in your self. Ordinary people do not live like this, standing by yourself in front of hundreds of people to test your skills is no easy feat and you have positioned yourself for great achievements in life if you take the value of these experiences and use them outside.

I am equally proud of all you students who day after day come out to train, applying yourself to the discipline of building your foundation brick by brick.through the discipline of Karate-Do. Sometimes it is fun sometimes it is hard going. Karate is a martial art and coming to train diligently even when you do not feel like doing it, challenging yourself to learn complex forms and experience what it is to face an opponent and not lose your nerve is not easy yet you have done and continue to do it.

So I say well done and keep training it will put you in excellent standing for life out in the world. For the younger ones, I thank the parents for what you are doing for your children by bringing them to training and encouraging them to persist despite the difficulties. They do not yet realise the importance of going beyond comfort zones and doing what is required no matter what. How important this is for their daily life in the future.



Life outside demands of us, even at very tender age that we get into the fray and work, play and compete with the best and the worst of us. In the practice of Karate-Do, we are taught to Seek perfection by srmply drilling over and over the same foundation practices. Endeavouring, always ready to push limits, being faithful, commitment to the task at hand, training wrth this commitment.

Understanding the importance of respect 1s fundamental for the continual harmonious existence of the people of the world, yet respect 1s sadly lacking m our world today. Our Karate training teaches us through the Dojo etiquette to-respect others. Unfortunately, simple courtesies particularly among the young and even the children have been overlooked very often as we race up and down to lessons, extracurricular activities and generally with life. The pace is phenomenal and the simple practices we used to drill into our children that made the world that much more civilised, have sadly all but disappeared the co-lateral damage in a demanding system. Simple greetings of good evening, thank you very much, please can I have, a smile have virtually disappeared from people’s vocabulary and body language, it is becoming unheard off inner children unless prompted by a parent. In our quest for greatness for our children, we have failed to teach them adequately the importance of good manners and respect, so our world is now reeling on the brink of destruction from the lack of respect we have for each other, our rights and our environment. Respect is at the centre where we find the true essence of our Karate-Do. Karate is based on etiquette, good ,manners and respect. It is the first thing we must learn, it is the first thing we must teach . Then we can train to unify our bodies, minds and spirits. Seeking this inner unity that make us whole people and gives us the possibihty of striving to be the best that we could be each day in harmony with our Creator and in sync with His plan for us. So the Dojo Kun is at the heart of our training.

I would like to say thank you with the deepest gratitude to the Instructors of the TKA for their continued and dedicated selfless support to the welfare of all our students, ably assisted by many of our Junior Black Belts, for all you young Instructors in training thank you very much too. All these men and women and youth are not paid for their services but continue to give back so much without counting the cost. I particularly would like to commend Sense,·s Arthur Morris, Leo Grant of the Tobago Branch of our Trinidad and Tobago Karate Association and Kelly Recha1s for remarkable service to the TKA. Senseis Arthur and Leo run excellent clubs in Tobago largely on their own, with visits from us, producing many strong and skilled Karateka who have competed internationally. Sensei Kelly single-handedly has brought new life into our association with the coming of over 100 new young members to our Association.

Thank you very much also to Senior Karate students like Sean Powell for doing free of charge on so many occasions so many graphic designs for T-shirts, posters, videos, photographs over the years all we have to do is call and ask Sean and there he is Just as he is tonight.

I want to say thank you to another Senior Karate with our Assoc1at1on. who is here tonight in a formal capacity as Deputy PS, but who 1s a valued member of our Association -Simone Thorne. Simone undertook to do the newsletter for the TKA two years ago and to date has produced 24 copies of this interesting, informative newsletter, which has helped us keep in relationship with each other and has helped those abroad in our Karate family to keep up with us too. Simone thank you so very much and thank you for helping in so many unsung ways to build this association not least for taking part in so many international competitions and bnnging home many medals for Trinidad and Tobago for your courage and commitment.



I would like to thank my wife Frieda, who as the next highest in rank is the vice-chairman of our Association

As Martial Artist we often look for wisdom among our own traditions so I share with you A Modern Day Samurai code:

Let us be so strong that nothing can disturb our peace of mind.

Let us talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person we meet.

Let us make all our friends feel something special.

Let us Look for good in everyone.

Let us Think only of the best - work only lor the best - expect only the best

Let us be as happy about the success of others as we are about our own

Let’s greet people with a smile.

Let us be too big for worry and too noble for anger

Let us Spend time together improving ourselves - then we will have no trme to criticize others

Let us part the clouds over our beloved Trinidad and Tobago and then the world and see the way forward.

Always remembering that according to Gichin Funakosh1 our founder “The objective of karate-do is to contribute lo the evolution of the human spirit through physical and mental training.”

So I leave you tonight with a poem you might have heard already, made famous by the late and great Nelson Mandela, which goes like this:

Our Greatest Fear -Marianne Williamson

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us Our deepest fear 1s not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant. gorgeous. talented and fabulous? Actually. who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.



Dan Certificates

IKD World Championships- Toronto

Special Awardee Outstanding Contribution to the Association

Kelly Rechais

Congratulations to

Instructors for the Year Sensei Ian Benjamin, 4th Dan and Sensei Nigel Forde, 4th Dan

This is for persons who were promoted during the period 2013 to 2015 after having being successful in Dan examinations

All trainers\instructors of participants and participants in the 2nd IKD World Championships

Gregory Placide- GodanSimone Thorne-NidanRonald Collette -NidanMaria Thorne- Nidan

Ethan Forde-NidanRoshelle Lue Fatt-Shodan Michelle Lue Fatt-Shodan



CLUB NEWSTobago Shotokan SPIRIT WARRIORS

On Tuesday January 19, 2016, the Tobago Shotokan Spirit Warriors (TSSW) were paid a visit by Sensei Edwin Perez of Harakenkojuku, Florida.

Sensei Perez is a long time friend and training partner of Sensei Leo Grant, Head Instructor and co-founder of TSSW. They both trained together at Harakenkojuku, New York for several years. Sensei Perez is a 3rd Dan in Shotokan karate and holds a 2nd Dan in traditional jiu-jitsu. He is also a three time National Karate Federation champion and the head instructor of his club. He has visited Trinidad on several occasions as his wife is a citizen of the country but this was his first trip to Tobago. He spent his time at TSSW sharing from his vast knowledge of both traditional karate and jiu-jitsu to the delight of all students in attendance.

Sensei Perez is noted as saying ‘karate is his life’s passion’ and he truly backs up those words by dedicating over 30 years of his life to training in the discipline. This visit however was not an isolated event as Sensei Perez has shown interest in returning and Sensei Leo Grant is on a mission to create students who are well rounded in the martial arts through exposure to other trusted instructors. Sensei Leo Grant hopes to make karate as popular as football on the island and to make his Club stand out both locally and internationally.


Training schedulesKARATEKAS DO LIME

At the end of the year the Instructors also held a “small lime” where they got the opportunity to show off their culinary and other skills . The highlight of the meal was Sensei Sebastian’s famous fried turkey and much thanks to Sensei Kelly who prepared fried rice, pigeon peas, geera chicken and other goodies.



Training schedules

day Time ranK - BelTs

TORA- Chinese Association, St. Ann’s

Directors: Senseis Nigel Forde and John GeorgeContact No: 680-5234

Tuesday6.00 - 7.15 pm Adults and Juniors- All ranks7.30 - 9:00 pm Team training- brown and black belts( Shihan Shim)

Thursday6.00 - 7.15 pm Adults and Juniors- All ranks7.30 - 9:00 pm Team training- brown and black belts( Shihan Shim)

UWI Shotokan Club, UWI, St. Augustine

President - Sensei Adrian CruickshankContact No:

Monday 6.00 – 7:30 pm Engineering Undercroft- All ages and ranksTuesday 6.00 – 7:30 pm Engineering Undercroft; No Gi (SWAG Tuesdays) All ages /ranksWednesday 6.00 – 7:30 pm SAC- All ages and ranksFriday 5.00 – 7.00 pm SPEC- All ages and ranksRealspring Karate DojoValsayn Community Centre

Director: Sensei Theophilus Faustin Contact No: 645-7208

Wednesday 7.00- 8.30 pmAdults and Juniors- All ranksSaturday 10.00 - 11.30 am

Sunday 8.00 - 9.00 amTobago- Scarborough Secondary School

Director: Sensei Arthur MorrisContact No: 781-7371

Tuesday 5.30 - 7.30 pmAdults and Juniors- All ranksThursday 5.30 - 7.30 pm

Saturday 9.30 am - 12.00 pmTobago SHOTOKAN Spirit WarriorsSignal Hill Comprehensive School

Directors: Sensei Leo Grant and Fiona GrantContact No: 343-9814

Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:15 pm Juniors 5-11 yrs; white to green beltsThursday 6:20 - 7:30 pm Juniors & Adults; Ages 12 & up; and blue to black beltsASGSKA Arima West & Sangre Grande Govt. Primary Schools

Director: Sempai Kelly RechaisContact No: 724-1168

Monday 4:30 - 5:30 pm 5:30 - 7:30 pm

All Ranks/AgesArima West Government Primary School

Tuesday 3.30 - 5.00 pm All Ranks/Ages; Sangre Grande Government Primary SchoolFriday 4:30 - 5:30 pm

5:30 - 7:30 pmAll Ranks/AgesArima West Government Primary School

Saturday 10.00 am - 12.00 pm All Ranks/Ages; Sangre Grande Government Primary School

KURO OBI Directors: Sensei Tamara JosephContact No: 396-3229

Tuesdays 3:00 pm JuniorsTuesdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm Adults

Editor- Simone Thorne Mora Graphic Artist\Layout- Sensei Sean PowellProofreade r- Sensei Richard Robertson

Zanshin Lookout for our next edition in May 2016 where the focus will be on TKA Activities, Affiliated clubs and TKA personnel..……..Send comments, articles,

pictures to [email protected]

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Zanshin #26