Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan

[jujutsu_indonesia]

Ah. If Mr. Kimly practices a Sweden version of Jujutsu, it could have been derived from Mr. Viking Cronholm's style, or maybe Mr. Kurt Durewall's style. Sweden has a government-sanctioned Jujutsu school since the 1960s if I am not mistaken, it's called Swedish Budo Federation style of Jujutsu. Thank you for the info!

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

The Chillicothe dojo has jujitsu classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, if I recall correctly.

As to when Don Madden started teaching jujitsu, I couldn't say. I do remember calling him in the fall of 1974 to ask about jujitsu classes, and he said that he didn't practice it, but did have classes in karate and judo.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

I got to use a little jujitsu, of sorts Monday night. My wife and I finally got a chance to spar in class. She must've had an issue or two with me because she came at me all angry-cat-like; so, I swept her and dropped her then pinned her and told her, 'No. One hit, one point'. She thought that was funny.

 

[Navarre]

She thought that was funny.

I'm glad she seemed amused. ... Let me know if the couch was comfortable.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

lol...it wasn't quite that bad. She really enjoys getting in a serious tussle. I even suggested she might like MMA over karate. Last night, we had our sensei, one of his blackbelts (Seieikan) and his son, also a blackbelt (TKD); so, there was a lot of teaching going on.

My wife learned a lot more about one strike one point and spent quite a bit of time with two of the black belts and came away very satisfied in what she'd learned.

Speaking for myself, I enjoyed sparring with the TKD black. I've spent so much time sparring with Danny and Joe, both more hand fighters, that I'd almost forgot how much fun it was to fight someone with a lot of kicks.

Another tourney Sunday. Our girl may compete in kata. I'm still mulling over competing. We'll attend, in any event.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Last night, I fixed Sensei's PC. While it was updating and installing and blah-diddy-blah, I took the time to practice for today's competition, my 2nd competition.

I'm a white belt in Seieikan and I don't really expect much from my skill level...Only An Egg, you know; but, today, I was pleased with myself.

Of course, The Little Dragons all went first. It's inspiring to see these little ones, 3-5 years old, repeating the Little Dragon Creed and performing their kata and basics. It's good to know they're getting lessons in honor and dedication so young; lessons that will continue to endure long into their lives.

I performed Fukyugata Ni cause it makes my wife happy I had two competitors in my class, this time; both very skilled. I accepted first place

Kumite was interesting. I went up against the same karateka as I did on my first competition. It was another hard fight; but, he took the silver this time, again W00t for me!

As I took two 1st places, I was entered into the Grand Champion competition. We all performed Fukyugata Ich for the trophy. I now have a trophy in my house.

It was a good competition.

My stepdaughter competed for the first time today. She recieved the gold in kata and 2nd place, overall, in her class. I am very very proud of her.

 

[Navarre]

Congratulations, Egg!!!

Ma, sounds like you and your daughter both are off on a rockin' start with the tournament scene. Tournaments are a lot of fun. It gives us a chance to place ourselves under a bit of safe pressure and see what we can do. Looks to me like you do just fine.

One of my students (a tad older than me) started Ko Sutemi in 1989 or so along with his 6 year old daughter. A few years ago they had to build a new room on their house just to hold all their tournament trophies (No lie!).

Here's to your future home expansion! Glad you had fun, buddy!

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Arigato, Navarre

We're all very pleased by the way we competed. My next goal is to get my stepdaughter to fight and my stepson to compete kata. My wife will do as she wishes when she wishes

On that note, my wife discovered that one of today's judges teaches a Muay Thai class 3 days a week and our GrandSensei's dojo. She's looking into that seriously. That's all I need...my wife Ong-Baking my butt.

heheh

Edit: I put the pics in the Gallery and on the bloggy thing

 

[Navarre]

Nice pics, Egg. Your kumite form looks very good indeed.

You're protecting your chin and are nicely loaded for the reverse puch. Lots of guys don't keep their hands up or their elbows in. You're doing both. Good job!

Some of your kata pics are blurred, clearly indicating to me that you possess superhuman speed. Your ability to move faster than the human eye can follow will surely serve you well when you spar for yellow belt.

I don't have nearly as many pics from my early years as I'd like. I have a few bits of old video (back when video cameras weighed a ton and took a whole bag just to hold the battery!).

It's funny (and humbling) to look back at some of the stuff. Mostly because of my scrawny nerdiness that I tried to defy by wearing my hair in a long ponytail. (It didn't work!).

I've never competed much in tournaments, unlike my student I mentioned. Still, I did come in second place in my weight division in the black belt sparring 2 yrs in a row at The State Championship.

Once I came in second in the black belt overall finals (so second for the whole tournament). The techniques I'd learned years earlier from Tokey Hill really served me excellently. I was lucky to get to learn such things as the Blitz from him.

I had a lot of fun at the tournaments and that's what counts. I'm glad you did too.

 

[The Kai]

It looked like you had fun, and did well. Congradulations

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

You're protecting your chin and are nicely loaded for the reverse puch. Lots of guys don't keep their hands up or their elbows in. You're doing both. Good job!

After a few days of Sensei's flank and belly punches, I learned to tuck my elbows in.

Some of your kata pics are blurred, clearly indicating to me that you possess superhuman speed. Your ability to move faster than the human eye can follow will surely serve you well when you spar for yellow belt.

I had hoped the camera wouldn't catch that...it needs to be kept secret.

I don't have nearly as many pics from my early years as I'd like. I have a few bits of old video (back when video cameras weighed a ton and took a whole bag just to hold the battery!).

It's funny (and humbling) to look back at some of the stuff. Mostly because of my scrawny nerdiness that I tried to defy by wearing my hair in a long ponytail. (It didn't work!).

I've never competed much in tournaments, unlike my student I mentioned. Still, I did come in second place in my weight division in the black belt sparring 2 yrs in a row at The State Championship.

Once I came in second in the black belt overall finals (so second for the whole tournament). The techniques I'd learned years earlier from Tokey Hill really served me excellently. I was lucky to get to learn such things as the Blitz from him.

I had a lot of fun at the tournaments and that's what counts. I'm glad you did too.

I plan to compete as much as possible because I find it a singular joy to do so; albeit, a nerve-wracking one. Both times, it's been like that time right before a first date: apprehensive about what may or may not occur. The competitions, though, have been wonderful experiemces, unlike most of my first dates.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Long time since I posted to this thread.

Classes are going well. I practice almost every day there's no class.

Here's a thing, though, and it concerns me: last night, Sensei said that, when we compete outside of Seieikan, we should remove our org patches because we will be judged detrimentally because of the style. Is this commen in MA, to be of a derided style or to be treated thus? It makes me go 'hmmmmm'.

 

[Navarre]

I have sometimes found that tournaments judge ppl unfairly when from a different system. This isn't unique to Seiei Kan though. It has a lot to do with who has organized the tournament and who the judges are.

I have gone to tournaments where all the judges were from or affiliated with the school of the one who organized the tournament. In almost every instance, only their ppl won the gold.

One of our black belts did an outstanding bo kata that blew everyone away. She tied with a person also doing bo from the host school. They redid their kata and the judges gave the nod to our student...but the host sensei overruled it. He claimed that her bo was an inch too long for her height and gave the award to the other student (who happened to be his star pupil).

This kind of discrimination is disgusting. It is completely against all that we are taught.

Still, I remind myself (and my students) that we are competing to do our best. That is not necessarily the same as winning. It shouldn't be like that, but it is.

Tournaments, like schools, are a terribly political creature. Despite this, I have never failed to wear my patches with pride.

However, some tournaments have specific rules regarding patches so of course I adhere to those. There's nothing wrong with wearing a plain white gi if you choose.

Win or lose (patch or not) just go, do your best, and have fun.

 

[Navarre]

On a side note, I'd like to say that this is a really good thread. I'm glad to see it's continuing because it goes beyond just one style and addresses a lot of what newer students question when first choosing an art.

I'm glad it was nominated for Most Helpful Post. I didn't nominate it myself so it's nice that someone else likes it.

Obviously I'll vote for it and force all of my students to vote for it. After all, we're from the same system and we should only support and acknowledge others from our system. ... At least that's the lesson I'd learned from a black belt at a tournament somewhere. *sarcastic grin*

 

[The Kai]

I've heard the same comment about competeing and also while doing seminars. To date I've never taken my patchs off any uniform. You don't like my patchs, tough nuggies

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

lol...thanks, Navarre. I just wasn't certain what to think after Sensei's comment. It was a disconcerting piece of information.

Re: this thread. It has been a constant source of good information for a beginner such as myself. Thanks to you and everyone that's posted to it. I am grateful. :asian:

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Okay...after verifying funds with my CFO (read: wife), I am on for the tournament tomorrow. It's a big one compared to the two I've already done. I'm anticipating a Karate Kid size competition. A little nervous. A little apprehensive. That's ok, though.

I think.

Here's the link to the form showing the levels of competition. Just a jpeg of the reg form; but, it gives some idea what I'm walking into.

 

[Navarre]

Lower levels seemed best defined by the variety found. These are all of the ppl who have hung in long enough to shw up at a tournament but before anyone has decided it's not for them.

I'd expect to see some promising competitors but also a lot of ppl who are stiff and/or with wild form.

This is a good time to work on the relaxation I mentioned. If you try to be *too* technical and perfect you'll be too preoccupied with your own form and will be one of those mechanical-looking competitors.

Your division could take a long time so be ready for it. I wouldn't worry about reviewing your opponents and all of that. Just move around some, watch what you like, and maybe make some new friends.

Which kata are you doing? Fuku-gata-ni? If you only know this and Ichi, the second one tends to look nice. It is also easier to hide any mechanical movement.

I'll look forward to hearing how it goes. Is your daughter competing too?

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Thanks, Navarre...relaxing my shoulders, hiding my intent has been an integral part of my practice lately. I'm not as nervous now as I was when I posted. My bag's packed, uniform's ready, all is good in the earth right now.

I'm doing Fukugata ni, yes...of the two, I like it better and, you're right, it's easier to be fluid in that kata...plus, my wife REALLY likes to see me do that one

My stepdaughter is not competing...she said the last one made her nervous enough. In her time.

As for me, I plan to see how the process works at this level and to observe as much as I can. I'm hoping to enjoy the higher-belt kumite and weapons kata. I imagibe it will be a long day. I'll be there at 9:30. Sensei (who is also competing) sez we'll be staying late, as well.

Until tomorrow, then!

 

[Navarre]

Depending on the hosy, most tournaments start with black belt weapon and open-hand katas as well as synchronized katas (if the tournament has it). Then they start with the lowest ranks and work their way up.

In larger tournaments they will have 5 or 6 rings going at the same time to help move things along. The black belt kumite should be last.

Usually the black belt kumite is divided down into 3 weight classes plus a Seniors (age 35+) division. Then, the winnder of those 4 divisions will compete against each other to get the Grand Champion in black belt kumite.

Now I'm old enough that I actually get to pick whether I want to compete with the 35+ black belts (often those 5th degree types who flow like water and hit like tanks) or in the middleweight division (the young bucks half my age who are in it to win). From past experience, I prefer the Senior division. They are better technically but aren't as convinced they have to take your head home as a trophy.

Fun, Fun! Is your step-daughter going to go watch at least or is she taking a break?