Here is the last video of our 3 part series of the Thornton Harvest Fest Martial Arts Demonstration – The History of Japanese Karate.
Students at The Dojo of Karate show you how Karate has been modernized and can be very fun and exciting.
It can also teach your child life skills, build their confidence, teach them respect, and much, much, more.
This is also the kids favorite part of the demonstration because they get to do cross kicks. Basically, they can showcase their martial arts skills by doing flying kicks.
This is the last fight I had at the 2001 Southern American Nationals in Nashville, TN.
I was fighting for 1st and 2nd place against World Champion Brian Ruth.
When I was a young teen, coming up in the national circuit of competition, I always looked up to Brian, as he was a great fighter.
Anyways, at the time, in 2001, I was 20 years old and had a couple of years under me in the Adult Black Belt Heavy weight division.
During this fight, I started off pretty well, but Brian was than able to find some good openings.
At the end, Brian Ruth got a very good shot, on my chin. Next thing you know, I’m falling like a tree. The funny thing is, Brian didn’t hit me that hard. It was just a clean hit to the chin. Props to him.
I ended up having to bow out and getting 2nd place.
Even though, I lost, I still had a good showing at the Southern American. Unfortunately, though, I was unable to defend my Grand Champion title from the previous year.
The Dojo of Karate was contacted by The City of Thornton in August 2009 about performing at their annual Thornton Harvest Fest on September 12, 2009 to celebrate Multi-Cultural Month and teaching kids about Japan.
The Dojo of Karate is a traditional Japanese Martial Arts school, so it made complete sense for our students to put on a demonstration at the Thornton Harvest Fest.
Nearly 36 students got together over the next 6 weeks to practice and train on Saturday mornings.
Our theme for the Martial Arts Demonstration was “The History of Japanese Karate”.
We took the audience through the beginnings of Karate, and how it was introduced to the people of Okinawa through the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
Than we go through how Martial Arts became main stream in the 60s and 70s due to overseas training, movies, and Martial Arts Super Star sensation, Bruce Lee.
Finally, we take the audience to how Martial Arts has become a household sport or activity, and that many schools, including The Dojo of Karate, teaches students about life skills, confidence, and self-defense.
Below is the 1st part of a 3 part series.
Enjoy, because our kids worked hard and had a blast performing.
I’ve had quite a bit of videos uploaded recently of Karate tournaments I competed in back in my professional fighting days.
These next series of fights are from the Southern American 2001 in Nashville, TN. I was a product of the David Deaton Karate Studios in Hermitage, TN and the previous year, I had actually won my division and the Grand Champion title, which was a big deal.
The Southern American Nationals was one of the biggest tournaments in the south that was hosted by World Champion David Deaton.
Going back to Tennessee to compete in this tournament was always fun because I was able to catch up with friends, but more importantly, show that my training and skills have gone to the next level.
In my opinion, in order to get better and grow, we must leave our small pond and venture into the ocean. I did exactly that by moving to Colorado and training with other, world caliber martial artists.
Anyways, below is one of my first fights at the 2001 Southern American.
As parents and adults, you understand how important it is to set goals in life. If you don’t, basically you’re not going anywhere!
“Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.”
Seneca
Seneca says it best.
Training at The Dojo of Karate we help your child set goals in life. But it begins with setting goals in Martial Arts.
The Dojo of Karate is a Black Belt School. That means all of our students have the goal of becoming a Black Belt one day.
Mind you, achieving this goal is a long process, but they are determined to make it all the way… no matter what.
But, it all starts with the first class, and the baby steps in-between each rank.
See, we have a belt ranking system that helps students achieve goals and learn what it takes to accomplish them. In addition, they are rewarded stripes on their belt for learning certain material in their curriculum.
This is almost the same format that is approached in the armed forces.
Plus, our Karate classes will organize certain drills, activities, and games that will help push your child to the next level by having friendly competitions. This way, they learn how to set short term goals too.
As you probably know, in life, we need to have short, medium, and long term goals. Students at The Dojo of Karate set their goals like this usually.
Short Term – Get their next stripe on their belt for learning a certain form.
Medium Term – Get to Low Green Belt – which is the half-way point to Black Belt
Long Term – Become a Black Belt!
We’ve seen kids set goals at improving their grades in school, make the basketball team, become leaders at the Karate school… the list goes on! And, they all achieve them.
Do you want your child to not only set goals in life, but achieve them in a way that will give them the confidence necessary to achieve anything?
Enroll them in our Beginners Karate Program by calling 303.920.4500 or email us at: info@TheDojoOfKarate.com.
