Kosho School of Karate

Andrew Clark, another member of the Kosho School of Karate, was a guest on Chop Talk this week! Andrew Clark joined the show to discuss his experience living in Japan and training in Okinawan and Japanese Sumo. Andy moved to Japan 2004,  to teach English on the tiny island of Kitadaito Jima,  a few hundred miles East of Okinawa. While there, Andy had the unique opportunity to train both Kakuriki, or Okinawan Sumo (also known as Tegumi & Muto), and Edo Sumo, which is the Japanese sumo that most people are familiar with. Okinawan Sumo and it has been a popular grappling art for hundreds of years. Some people, including Shoshin Nagamine, thought that Okinawan Sumo was the original martial art of Okinawa, which later developed in the striking art of Te and ultimately Karate.

At the start of the show, Andy talked about how he arrived in Japan, and his first impressions of his new home. He then talks about how he got involved with the Kitadaito Sumo team, and explains the differences between Okinawan Sumo and Edo Sumo. At the end of the show, he gets into some of the challenges he faced during his training, and the best way to see Okinawan Sumo for yourself.

Listen to the episode here: CT081 Okinawan Sumo with Andrew Clark

This week, Kosho Member, Dr. Andy Wells, joined the Chop Talk podcast to talk about COVID-19 and the Corona Virus. Dr. Wells is an Internal Medicine physician, and will be starting a Cardiology fellowship this summer, at a major academic medical center.  

In the episode, Dr. Wells broke down what this virus is, what makes it different that the flu, the best way to prevent yourself from getting it, what to do if you have symptoms, and the current  situation with protective equipment at the hospitals. He also describes  the best way to stay safe and prevent infections at the dojo. At the end of the show, the doctor and host, Nate England, discuss horrific martial arts injuries and how to treat them.

If there is anyone out there, such as Dentists or Veterinarians, that has mask, or gloves, or other medical equipment, please consider donating it to your local hospital. 

To find the latest info on the Corona Virus and Covid-19, visit the CDC’s website at www.CDC.gov.

Listen to the episode here: https://choptalk.podbean.com/e/ct080-covid-corona-karate-with-dr-andy-wells/

Online Classes began this week, and were a major success! On Monday, Sensei Hamann taught the first ever video class for the Kosho School of Karate. By Wednesday, attendance for online classes was as high as normal classes! Its great to see everyone’s dedication to training! Your home work out areas are looking great too. Keep it up and see you back at the dojo soon!

On Monday, the governor ordered that all Fitness Centers, Gyms, Workout Facilities, Yoga Studios, etc must stop operations as part of the fight against Covid 19 and the Corona Virus. 

But that doesn’t mean that Kosho members are ready to quit training just yet! Our students are now setting up training areas at home and getting to work! Thanh-Tu & Thanh-Nya followed the kids class curriculum on Friday at the same time as their usual class. At the same time at the dojo, Nate England ran all of his kata, hit the bag, and did some weight training. Then on Saturday he went for a run and did kata in the park. Sensei Hamann did his Saturday morning training routing, working out for 2 1/2 hours and worked on some good training routines that he will share with the students soon. Dave Swingley & Levi worked out Saturday afternoon, and Levi’s block is looking strong! Rahul & Rayva worked out in their living room, doing kata and partner work. Rahul even got in some jo training!!
Great job everyone! Keep training!

Congratulations to all Juniors that were promoted this week! All students have excellent attendance records, always train seriously and do their best, and have shown dedication to their martial arts training.  One student was even able to earn his adult rank! Therefore, we would like to announce the following promotions: Junior Yellow Belt:  Levi, Junior Blue Belt: Mathew, Junior Green Belt: Thanh-Nha,  Adult Green Belt:  Thanh-Tu, Junior Purple Belt: Camren, Alex, & Donald Congratulation Everyone!!

Thanks to the folks at St. Ursula Villa for inviting Kosho instructor, Nate England, back for this year’s Cultural Fine Arts Day. It was a lot of fun, and all the kids did great!

Congratulations to everyone promoted in January!
Longtime Kosho instructors, David Swingley & Evan Jones were promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt. Following up on his recent training trip to Okinawa, Paul Tarvin was promoted to 2nd Degree Brown Belt. Up and coming students Andy Clark, Drew Kurtzman, Kristen Klein, Edward Ly Moraites, & Andy Wells were promoted to Purple Belt.
Great job everyone!

Congratulations to the 2019 Attendance Award Winners! These are the students that attended the most classes over the entire year.
Juniors: Than-Nha with 108 classes
Teens: Isabella Bonner with 155 classes
Adult Kyu: Andy Wells with 172 classes
Black Belt: Evan Jones with 225 classes
Great job everyone, way to work hard all year! Keep it up!!

Kosho members Paul Tarvin & Nate England recently returned from 2 weeks in Okinawa and Japan.
They trained in Jodo and Iaido at the Meisuikan Dojo with Fukuhara Sensei, Shidokan Shorin Ryu Karate at the Honbu dojo with Takara Sensei and the Musei Juku Dojo with Maeshiro Sensei, Kishaba Jukku Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate with Shinzato Sensei, and were able to join the Okinawan winter jodo seminar taught by Kojiro Sensei. They also taught an introductory karate classes at Meio University in Nago, among many other adventurs.
In the few hours of free time, they caught up with old friends (and made some new ones!) did as much sight seeing and eating as possible! Thanks to all the great people and martial artists that helped to make this trip an amazing experience!

Congratulations to Isabella Bonner, who was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jodo at the 2019 CKF Jodo Seminar in Toronto.
Isabella is believed to be the youngest person to earn this rank in North America. With her hard work and dedication to training, she did a great job representing the dojo internationally!