1. The modern view of kumite:
to equal to Egypt
Itaru Oki.
Successor of the traditions of Japanese kata
Antonio Oliva Seba:
Love is the most significant thing in life!
#1. 2015
Miki Kobayashi.
Blow not knowing the obstacles!

2. IT IS CURIOUS 6 The modern view of kumite: to equal
to Egypt
TECHNIQUE 4 New rules 2013. Part III
14 Itaru Oki. Successor of the traditions
of Japanese kata
21 Miki Kobayashi. Blow not knowing
the obstacles!
28 New approach in kumite. Part II
HELPFULL 42 Dojo, where the winners are
brought up
GUEST OF “AKF magazine” 50
Antonio Oliva Sebа:
Love is the most significant thing
in life!
CONTENTS

3. Dear friends!
The year that was very eventful in the life of karate is behind now.
But 2015 is still responsible, as this is the year when we need to get
an answer to the main question of the recent years: whether the karate
will become the competitor in the Olympic movement? We hope that
the coming year will give us that opportunity. The unity of our thoughts
and actions is one of the factors in achieving these and other goals.
Let all that come in the New Year will bring only change for the better
for the AKF team. Happiness, love and health to you and your families!
CHANG, KUANG-HUEI
AKF president

4. How to respond, if several violations of the rules occur simul­
taneously? Please, explain how to carry out the refereeing in such
situations.
Figure 1.
The “blue” stepped out the limits of the ground,
then the “red” performed tsuki.
Figure 2.
Both athletes performed tsuki simultaneously.
New rules
Answers to
the questions
Part III. Simultaneous violations
Seminar for referees:
to referee according
to new rules
Ro respond to violations
in order of their occurrence
During the competition, the situations occur quite
often, when several violations almost simultaneously
arise at the tatami. Sometimes, one of the athletes
permits several violations in a row. And it also
happens that the “red” and the “blue” break the rules
at the same time.
Under any scenario the referees should adhere to
the basic principle of the refereeing – to respond to
violations in order of their appearance. For example,
if the “blue” has stepped out the mat at first, and
the “red” delivered tsuki to him after it, you must
firstly declare C2 warning to the “blue”, and then
declare warning for C1 violation to the “red” (Fig. 1).
On the contrary, if you need to declare warnings to
both athletes at the same time, the Chief Referee
shall make a decision in this order: at first to
the “red”, and then to the “blue”.
Now, let us consider the actions of the chief and
additional referees, when both athletes deliver tsuki
simultaneously (Fig. 2).
Flag signals
of additional referees
If you need to award C1 violation simultaneously
to both athletes, the additional referee must rotate
the red flag, then cross the flags, put them showing
C1 violation (“red” flag shall be in front). Then
the referee rotates blue flag and puts them forward
crossed. Then, he shall inform the Chief Referee of
the decision showing red flag.
Having familiarized with the decisions of additional
referees, the Chief Referee renders his verdict
as follows: C1 is to the “red”, C1 is to the “blue.”
Additional referees should hold the flags in front of
them without dropping up to the moment the Chief
Referee makes a decision.
4

5. If more than two referees could not come
to the consent, the fight shall continue.
April 1, 2013, All-Japan Karate Federation has introduced new rules of the competition. Despite the fact
that many members of the Referee Committees study and successfully master the new rules in practice, often
misunderstandings arise because new rules vary markedly from the old ones in part of the refereeing. Given
the situation, the JKFan editorial board decided to prepare a series of the articles that contain explanations
of controversial and complex issues arising in the refereeing practice under the support of the Referees
Committee of All-Japan Karate Federation. If you have any questions about the new referees’ rules, please
contact the editors of our magazine.
The main principle is to respond to violations in order as they
appear. Additional referees express their opinions using flags,
the Chief Referee using gestures and shall make decision taking into
account everything.
Flag signals of
additional referees,
when setting C1 to
both athletes.
Example 2. Decision
making of C1 award
to both athletes. The rotation of red flag
over the head
Two is C1 to the “blue”,
one is C1 to the “red”
Warning to
the “blue”.
Additional decision
on C1 to the “red”
“C1 to
the red”
“C1 to
the blue”
Waiting for
decision of
the Chief Referee
The rotation of blue flag
over the head
Additional referees Chief Referee
Additional referees
Chief Referee
Chief Referee
More than two
concents
Warning to
the “red”
Gestures of the Chief Referee
1. 1. If two additional referees showed C1 to
the “red”, and two referees showed C1 to
the “blue”, the Chief Referee awards C1 warning
to the “red” firstly, and then to the “blue”.
2. 2. If two additional referees showed C1 to
the “blue” and one referee showed C1 to the “red”,
the Chief Referee awards C1 to the “blue” at first.
If the Chief Referee wants to show C1 also to
the “red”, he should show “C1” gesture and
declare the violation, when he have received
the approval of more than two referees.
3. 3. If one referee showed C1 to the “red”,
the second to the “blue”, and the Chief Referee
agrees with their decision, he first shows C1 to
the “red” (sets a warning in obtaining the consent
of more than two referees), and then performs
the same procedure with regard to the “blue.”
4. 4. In the case 3, unless consent of more than
two referees has been obtained, a warning for C1
violation cannot be set, and the duel should be
renewed (command “Tsuzukete Hajime!” – “Go
on!” shall be given).
In case of any misunderstanding, the Chief
Referee makes decision quietly rendering information
to the additional referees by gestures and exchanging
views. If you collect a few violations, it is necessary
to follow attentively the flag signals of additional
referees, in order not to miss them. For example,
it happens that more than two referees set C1 to both
the “red” and the “blue”, but the Chief Referee forgets
to set the violation to the “blue.”
To avoid such incidents, additional referees should
keep their flags till the moment, when the Chief
Referee will make his verdict. Observers should also
immediately report of the errors. Whatever it was,
the agreed work of the entire referee team is very
important.
In the next issue we will analyze more compli­
cated cases.
5
#3. 2014

6. Author: Shin Tsuki
Learning the style!
Esra Nabil won the competition in female kumite among
cadets in the weight category up to 47 kg
6

7. The modern view of kumite:
to equal to Egypt
The favourites from the country of the Pharaohs
Ahmed Ibrahim took the gold medal in the male kumite among athletes under 21
years in the weight category over 78 kg
November 2013, the 8th World
Championship for the Juniors,
the Cadets and Athletes under
21 years old was held in Spain.
The competitions in 23 categories
were included to the program
of the tournament in the
“individual kumite” category. And
the representatives of Egypt have
won the highest awards in nine of
them. Agree that 40 % of “gold”
in the asset of the national team
of one country is convincing and
impressive figure. The winners
include two cadets, four juniors,
three young athletes under
the age of 21. They are five guys
and four girls.
With regard to physical ability
of the favorites of the tournament,
for example, Esra Nabil, the winner
in the female kumite among
cadets in the weight category up
to 47 kg, is a head shorter than
her rivals. And Ahmed Ibrahim,
who won the male kumite among
athletes under 21 years old in the
weight category over 78 kg, has
an impressive weight.
It is impossible to say
that the team members of
the Egyptian team have some
physical advantage, rather,
on the contrary – they are no
better than their rivals. So
why did they manage to win so
many gold medals? The physical
feature which is inherent to
the athletes of this country can
be called as one of the reasons
for this triumph, but we must
admit that it does not give
them absolute advantage over
the competitors. We are talking
about the technical element,
the so-called Egyptian style.
Next we will talk about the art
of this style in kumite.
7
#1. 2015

8. Photo 1
I. Kamae – footwork – rhythm
Fig. 1
The essence of the Egyptian
style lies precisely in kamae. If
the athlete has correct kamae,
and his tsuki and geri will be
good, and the risk of missing
the punches will be negligible.
At first glance, kamae of
the Egyptians may seem the same
as that of the other athletes.
However, if you try to perform
their kamae, you can see several
characteristic distinguishing
moments. In addition, the kamae
of the Egyptian athletes allow
responding quickly to the actions
of the opponent and switching
faster from defense to attack.
The secret of this miracle
technology is in the stance
and the corpus. The athletes
from Egypt have added nine
gold medals to the country’s
collection, not due to mastering
some acrobatic tricks. Simply their
techniques have no hint of a hit,
and they honestly won “gold” due
to their fast, accurate work.
If you ask what the Egyptian
kumite is, I’ll tell you what it is
kumite, where the actions cannot
be predicted. Let us try to uncover
the secret of such movements,
conventionally dividing our
analysis into the stance
and kamae.
The stance in style
of the runner before
the start
Let’s start with the simple
things – the angle of the legs. All
nine winners from the Egyptian
team have something common:
everyone keep their legs at 90
degrees. To be more precise,
in the half-stance kokutsu-
dachi, while the body weight
is distributed either evenly 5:5 or
4 – to the front foot and 6 – to
the back foot.
The athletes from other
countries apply kamae in half-
stance kokutsu-dachi, thus,
we cannot say that this stance
is characteristic only for
the athletes from Egypt. Outwardly
entire stance: the direction
of the toes and bending of
knees, and weight distribution
look pretty normal. However,
the secret of this stance is in
the conscious. In the conscious,
which is inherent to the runners
before the start. As you know,
the runners start the race
after the following commands:
“get ready”, then “get set” and
“go”. When translating theses
commands into the “language”
of kumite, it turns out that at the
time of the command “get ready”
the consciousness is still in a
relaxed state, then movements
follow after the commands “get
set” and “go”. But the technique
of Egyptian athletes contains
important nuance: they are always
in the state of the command “get
set” in kamae, and therefore they
are ready to react to “go” at any
time. Id est, the state of readiness
to undertake something at any
moment is hidden behind their
movements, which are difficult to
be predicted by the opponent.
Compare the readiness of
the runner on the command
“get set” (Fig. 1) with kamae of
the Egyptian athlete pictured
on photo 1. You will see to what
extent their intentions are similar.
Tight as a bow and
a sharp arrow…
Earlier we discussed how
the lower half of the body looks
like in the stance. The upper
half of the body also looks
specifically in kamae. The corpus
of the Egyptian athletes in kamae
looks as if they nocked a bow to
shoot the arrow, at the same time
their chest is straightened and
shoulder blades are connected.
But many other athletes perform
the same things.
The majority of Egyptian
athletes back hand is behind
the front hand, back fist is aimed
straight at the opponent, and
the back hand in the position like
nocking a bow-string. The front
hand is not fully extended. And they
do not just look like a stretched
string and vertically located bow.
In this regard, the front hand plays
the role of protection, and the back
hand is analogous to nocked bow-
string, which is ready to make a
shot at any moment. In other words,
the front hand is a shield behind
which the athlete hides his body
turning sideways, and the back
hand reminds spear ready to fight,
which is hidden behind the shield.
Kamae reminding a stretched
string is classic for the athletes
from Egypt. This position is very
convenient: the chest is straight,
the mighty bow and bowstring
ringing buzzing with the effort,
we can only let go your finger –
and arrow will rush to the flight…
therefore, the Egyptians are ready
to start their attack at any time
and do this.
8

9. Photo 2
II. Almost like musketeers
Fig. 2
Compare Figure 2, which
shows the archer, with photo 2
depicting the Egyptian athlete
in kamae. Such kamae in the
form of an archer is inherent
only to the Egyptians among
all the athletes of the world
performing kumite.
Such a different rhythm…
Our attention was attracted not
only by unusual kamae, but also
the rhythm beaten by feet. In the
majority of cases the rhythm
of the athletes is similar to
the national melody. In the case
of Japan, special feature of
the national music is “downbeat”
rhythm, when the upbeat follows
the downbeat. A classic example
is the folk song “Soranus”.
African rhythm contrasts with
the Japanese one. Downbeat
follows the upbeat.
This suggests that tactless
movement is inherent to
the Japanese athletes, so
movements without a hint prevail
in their technique. But on the other
hand, they are not able to break
the rhythm of the opponent by their
own rhythm. Unlike the Japanese,
the athletes of Negroidal race
can knock an opponent out of
rhythm, but cannot attack without
the rhythmic beat.
This comparison does not
mean that one option is better,
and another option is worse.
The most important thing is to
understand how to use this
difference. Egypt, although
it is on the African continent,
differentiates from other countries
in some ways. Thus, the rhythm of
its athletes, beaten by feet, has
little to do with the leisurely pace
of immigrants from other African
countries, which are inherent to
small downbeat.
As I have said, a feature of
Egyptian athletes are tactless
movements without a hint, which
are based on small downbeat, and
that is why they are able to move
without a certain beat.
As mentioned above, a
feature of the Egyptian style lies
in kamae and tactless footwork.
It is believed that it is very difficult
to reflect tsuki, even if you know
what follows afterwards, when it is
performed by an athlete, moving
without a certain beat.
We were very surprised that
the Egyptian athletes almost never
apply chudan tsuki. However, they
use jodan tsuki with a probability
of more than 90 %. So why do they
manage to take as many points
using only kizami-tsuki and gyaku-
tsuki to jodan? Let’s try to find an
answer to this question.
Bet on kizami-tsuki
Tall Eg y ptian athlete s
consistently earn points at the
expense of kizami-tsuki. It would
seem, where should such results
come from? They do not apply
a variety of feet moving, do not
use tsuki and geri, but they
still get points. It turns out that
the secret of the Egyptian athletes
lies in tactless movement, and
also in their ability to reduce
the distance instantly without
making unnecessary movements
and penetrate rapidly into
the opponent’s space.
This abilit y to reduce
the distance quickly has
its own peculiarity. forward
in tsuki is similar to the forward
movement in fencing. An athlete
directs the entire body forward
in an instant, as if blowing up
its lower half, from deep stance
similar to kokutsu-dachi. At this
moment his rear leg in the
air. As soon as the front foot
penetrates the opponent’s space,
the opponent receives a powerful
tsuki practically at the same time.
Additionally, the upper half of
the body of the Egyptian athlete
remains unshaken.
Let’s compare tsuki of a
fencer on Figure 3ab with kizami-
tsuki performed by the Egyptian
athlete pictured on photo 3ab.
Movements of the lower half of
the body without tact are similar
to the fencing.
To carr y out det ailed
analysis of the techniques of
the Egyptians, we watched a
video of their performances and
found something interesting.
In particular, we saw a similarity
in kamae of those athletes who
are successful in kizami-tsuki
performance.
Kamae of the winners in the
Male Juniors Kumite in the weight
9
#1. 2015

10. Photo 4a Photo 4b
Photo 4c Photo 4d
Photo 3a Photo 3b
III. That does the blades hide?
Fig. 3a Fig. 3b
category up to 55 kg Gomaa
Salama and Mohamed Al-Kotby,
acting in the weight category
up to 76 kg, is the best suited
as examples. Both athletes
have the lower half of the body
turned sideways to the opponent
in kamae, the upper part is half-
rotated only, the body is as if
opened, i.e. it is ready to deliver
kizami-tsuki in advance.
If you do not know in advance
about the technique of such
athlete, you have a risk to receive
kizami-tsuki during a fight. And
when you know his approaches,
you will be able to suppose which
punch you shall expect – kizami-
tsuki or gyaku-tsuki, depending
on the angle of rotation of
the upper body.
Gyaku-tsuki and kizami-
tsuki: Is there no
difference?
The Egyptian athletes have
another feature that is the
technique of jodan gyaku-tsuki.
Their gyaku-tsuki is performed
by moving the feet at the same
distance as the kizami-tsuki, and
it takes the same time.
When performing gyaku-
tsuki, they adhere to certain
rule – the movement starts
with the front hand. Id est they
succeed to perform two punches
per one step – tsuki and gyaku-
tsuki (photo 4 a-d).
Movements of the lower
half of the body are the same,
when performing both kizami-
tsuki and gyaku-tsuki. The upper
half of the body starts moving
from the front hand in both
cases, wherein the two punches
are performed. As a result of
the experiment, we found out that
one or two tsukis per one step of
the penetration to the opponent
are performed for one and
the same time for the same
distance.
It is more difficult for the
opponent to reflect the second
tsuki than the first one. And it is
even more difficult to respond to
the punches. Therein the secret
lies, when the lower half of
the body instantly shifts the whole
body to strike.
The secret of tactless geri
is in the work of the blades.
We have already talked about
the fact that the strength of
the Egyptian athletes lies in the
lack of the tact. In the case of
geri the same unwritten rule
acts. When compared their
geri with the technique of other
athletes, it is unlikely you will
see something special. However,
the way they carry out these
attacks, deserves the highest
evaluation.
On reviewed video we watched
the moment when the athlete
begins to attack and gets
ushiromavashi-geri to his face,
10

11. Photo 6a
Photo 6d
Photo 5a
Photo 6b Photo 6c
Photo 5b Photo 5c
the champion in the Female
Kumite, who performed among
the athletes under 21 years in the
weight category up to 53 kg. This
strike has not brought her any
points, but despite the fact that
she has carried out geri using
her rare foot, it looks as if she
used the front foot to kick. That
is she abruptly bends the back
foot and changes the position of
the body in this state in a split
second. In other words, the first
impression is that the athlete
involved her back foot in geri,
but at some point she rotates
the body, and now everyone can
see that geri is performed by her
front foot.
Such geri permits to avoid
counterattacks, which is com-
monly practiced after gyaku-geri.
Moreover, the rotation of the body
allows sliding the supporting leg
and retiring to a safe distance im-
mediately after the blow. Such
performance may also beat up
the opponent’s rhythm. Sure,
such unusual turn of the body
can be considered and physiolog-
ical characteristics of these athle­
tes, but I am inclined to think that
the main reason lies in the collec-
tion of blades in archer kamae.
without even relevant reaction to
it. “How do the Egyptians manage
to perform such discreet and
at the same time crushing blow?”
you’ll ask surely. The answer is:
it is kamae again. When you take
kamae, as if pulling the bowstring
using your back hand, the blades
are connected inadvertently.
In addition, the lower half of
the body is close to the half-
kokutsu-dachi, wherein the
weight is mainly on the rear foot.
In this position, the hip joint
is rotated outwards much softer
and smoother, and it is easier to
lift the leg up (photo 5a-c).
Thus, an archer stance allows
you not only performing tsuki
quickly, without a hint, but geri
as well.
To confuse and mislead
the rhythm
Among all geris performed
by Egyptian athletes, gyaku-
geri especially surprised us.
Photo 6a-d shows gyaku-geri
of the athlete Areej Youssef,
11
#1. 2015

12. III. Do not look away!
We tried to figure out what is the secret of strength
of the Egyptian athletes. All of our researches can be
summarized as follows:
1. In the stance (in the half-stance similar to kokutsu-
dachi) the Egyptians try to be always ready for any
actions.
2. The chest is open, the blades are assembled
in kamae in a way as if the athlete pulls a
bowstring.
3. Small footwork and tactless attack are carried out.
4. Kizami-tsuki and tsuki take equal time to be
performed. In gyaku-tsuki they also firstly perform
kizami-tsuki, and then two punches are performed
per one step.
5. Geri is also performed without a beat.
At the end of our analysis, we have identified
another feature inherent to all Egyptian athletes.
We are talking about the eyes. They almost never
blink in the time of both the attack and the defense.
Not to blink is an absolute condition for top class
athletes in all sports. And almost all the members of
the Egyptian team succeed not to blink.
Eyes are closed just a split second during
blinking, but the pupils need to re-focus on the goal
after opening, and certain time period is formed
already.
If you look at the faces of the Egyptians at the time
of the attack of the opponent, you will notice that they
12

13. IV. Is there any anti-strategy?
We have analyzed the Egyptian team kumite, and
now there is a reasonable question whether it is
possible to develop a universal strategy to counter
these athletes. After all, it doesn’t matter how perfect
and dangerous the opponent is, you can always find
the “antidote” against his blows. Let’s try to develop
a strategy to counter the Egyptian athletes.
First you need to determine what punches
the athlete prefers – kizami-tsuki or gyaku-tsuki.
If we divide the Egyptian style into points, then
as a rule, the Egyptians are good at kizami-tsuki
or gyaku-tsuki. If you watch them from the very
beginning of the duels, you’ll notice certain trend.
Or you can catch the trend, having researched well
their kamae.
Usually, if the athlete takes side kamae, it means
that he performs more often gyaku-tsuki. If the body
is slightly turned and opened, then the athlete
prefers kizami-tsuki.
Definitely, those who prefer kizami-tsuki may
perform gyaku-tsuki at any time, and vice versa.
However, if you are able to suppress
the opponent’s basic technique, it would mean that
you have halved his ability to attack. Therefore,
it is very important to distinguish which technique
is basic for the opponent.
Cross the stream where it is shallowest
No matter what types of punches are performed
by the Egyptian athlete – gyaku-tsuki or kizami-tsuki,
it is most important to go him round from the outside
and perform tsuki. Definitely, the approach will be
slightly different depending on the stance (left-
handed or right-handed) chosen by you and your
opponent. But actually it does not change the fact:
it is more effective to bypass the opponent from
outside and move as if you are going to attack from
the back. This relates not only to tsuki, but also geri.
In this position, you will not be counter-attacked.
Thus, you should always remember that you cannot
go right to the opponent to strike.
Keep your distance
Most of the athletes are “downbeat” and cannot
fight from a distance. They feel more comfortable
and act with a great advantage at close or medium
distance. Therefore, we recommend increasing
your usual distance for 10–20 cm, when fighting
against them. If you will comply with the above three
conditions during the fight with them, then you will be
able to reduce significantly their combat capability.
This article is dedicated to search solving
the mystery of the Egyptian style. I am sure that
it is necessary to study the style of the Egyptians;
in order Japanese athletes could compete with
colleagues from Egypt in the future. If the Japanese
manage to adopt all their advantages, they will be
able to perform more effectively at the international
championships.
It is quite realistic to do this, as following points
are close to the Japanese kumite style.
1. tactless attack without a hint
2. movement in “downbeat” tact
3. less technique, but efficient performance
If you decide to explore archer kamae, take into
consideration kamae of Egyptian athletes. It will
be ineffective just copy someone’s kamae. We
recommend first to study carefully all the details: how
the Egyptians take kamae, what is position of their
hands and other moments.
do not drop their eyes, do not blink and always meet
the exact counterattack. In my opinion, this is the
main cause of their power, due to which the Egyptian
team won a record number of gold medals at the
World Championship among Juniors, Cadets and
Athletes under 21 years old.
13
#1. 2015

14. 14

15. Itaru Oki
Successor of the traditions
of Japanese kata
Kata Chatan Yara Kushanku
conquers the world. Detailed analysis
Itaru Oki, the double champion of Japan can be legitimately
called the successor of the traditions of Japanese kata. Itaru
is a member of the kata team, he was entrusted to carry the
flag of Japan at the international tournaments. And everyone
knows Oki as versatile athlete, who is able to perform any kata
perfectly: Annan, Paiku, Suparinpei and others. For individual
fights he chose the most complicated kata - kata Chatan Yara
Kushanku.
Itaru performed this kata at the World Championship in
Serbia in the finals against Baltesh and in the finals at the
Japan Championship in 2011. And there was no doubt that he
will also perform this kata at the World Championship in Paris
in 2012.
Today we would like to present to your attention the kata
Chatan Yara Kushanku in Oki’s style.
Author: Hiroki Kikuchi
15
#1. 2015

16. 13
14
15
perform kuri-uke using
the left hand
turn back to
nekoashi-
dachi and
kote-uke (the
translator’s
note - uke
using a part
of the arm
from the
elbow to the
wrist)
perform mae-geri
12 perform chudan-tsuki
using the left hand
5
6
7
lower your
hands as if
outlining an
arc, then put
the sharp
of the right
hand to the
left fist
perform chudan-uke using the
sharp of the left hand
perform gedan osai-uke using
the right hand
9
10
11
perform side chudan-uke
using the left hand
perform chudan-tsuki using
the right hand
perform kuri-
uke using
the right
hand (the
translator’s
note - uke
by circular
motion of
the elbow)
8
perform gedan osai-uke using
the left hand
2
3
1
0
put your hands in front of
the chest
transfer your hands to the
level of waistline
put aside your right foot, toes
are unfolded
4
put your hands together, rise
them above the head
stand by
Itaru Oki
Familiarity with kata Chatan Yara Kushanku in
Oki’s style. Seminar on the pages of the magazine
You will learn about all the movements of the kata Chatan Yara Kushanku interpreted
by Itaru Oki. At first, we should understand the main rule of this athlete is to work in full
force.
We hope that the materials of this heading will be interesting for both high-class
athletes and beginners in karate who wish to learn movements of the kata Chatan Yara
Kushanku.
“The the
movements
starting from
movement 7,
did not become
only work for
hands, I perform
movement 6
using force. To
do this, I toughen
muscles of my
stomach in
movement 5 in
sanchin-dachi
stance (as it
is shown on
the top photo)
and give away
all this force in
movement 6,”
says Oki.
16

17. perform
mae-geri
perform sukui-
uke
­
21
perform morote-tsuki (the
translator’s note - punch
using both hands)
16
perform a turn back and
deliver uke using the edge of
the left hand in front of you
17
18
19
20
perform uke using the edge of
the right hand
perform uke using the
edge of the left hand
perform uke using the edge of
the right hand
after performing ura-uke (the
translator’s note – uke using
back of your palm) the hands
are clamped in the armpits
22
23
24
turn back and
perform the
block chudan to
the side using
the left hand
perform enpi using the right
hand taking siko-dachi stance
perform sukui-uke (the
translator’s note - uke using
forearm)
25
26
27
perform mae-geri
turn back, the
left hand is
down
arms are
crossed in front
of the chest
29
30
31
32
33
the left hand goes down
both hands are crossed in
front of the chest in moto-
dachi stance
perform the block to the side
using the left hand
34
35
36
both fists are drawn to the
right side
perform the block to the side
using the left hand and mae-
geri using the left foot
perform the block in
nekoashi-dachi stance,
exposing the elbow
forward
37
38
39
both fists are drawn to
the left side
perform the block to the side
using the right hand and
mae-geri using the right foot
expose the elbow forward
nekoashi-dachi stance
28
perform the
block to the side
using the left
hand
×
×
Kata Chatan Yara Kushanku conquers the world.
Detailed analysis
Motion 21 is
morote-tsuki. To
show the force
of the punch,
it is necessary
to press
the armpits
tightly when
performing
motion 20.
Armpits should
not be open;
in such case
you lose your
power.
“Do not lower
your arm in
sukui-uke, in
order not to lose
the balance
when performing
geri. This
movement must
be performed in
such a way as
if you draw the
arm to the side,
then the posture
will be flat and
you will be able
to perform geri
at an optimum
height,” the
champion
recommends.
17
#1. 2015

18. 44
45
perform crossed uke in front
of you in siko-dachi stance
lower your hands in crossed
uke in front of your chest
43
perform the block forward
diagonally right using the
sharp of the left hand
40
41
42
perform the block to the left
using the sharp of the left
hand
perform the block forward
diagonally left using the sharp
of the right hand
perform the block to the right
using the sharp of the right
hand
46
47
48
perform sukui-uke in front
of you
perform mae-geri
perform gedan block to the
right in crossed stance
49
50
51
perform
kagi-tsuki (the
translator’s
note - punch-
hook, hit with
an elbow
bent at 90
degrees)
using the left
hand
block with crossed
hands to gedan
perform chudan morote-tsuki
taking siko-dachi stance
52
53
54
perform a turn
back and side
block to the right
to chudan
perform a jump
land softly
55
56
57
turn back
perform gedan
block using the
right hand
perform chudan
gyaku-tsuki using
the right hand
58
59
60
perform the
block using the
edge of the right
hand
look ahead and perform
sukui-uke using the right hand
lower the left hand from the
right shoulder to the wrist
61
62
63
perform tsuki-te using the
right hand
draw your right hand to
yourself with open palm
perform the
punch using
the sharp of the
hand backwards
×
In this position,
the back should
be straight. Try
to keep the neck
straightened, as
shown on the
photo above.
“In order the
jump to be
higher, try to
compress in
the air as much
as possible (so
visually your
dimensions are
diminished).
And it is very
important to
work of your left
leg. You need to
perform such a
motion in the air
using your left
foot, as if you
carry out another
push-off, and
then bend it,”
Itaru suggests.
18

19. 64
65
66
perform tetsui-uchi (the
translator’s note - “hammer
blow”) in siko-dachi stance
perform the punch using the
back of the left fist
perform the punch using the
right elbow
67
68
69
perform a turn
back and block to
gedan using the
right hand
perform the block to gedan
using the left hand in the front
stance
both fists are drawn to the
right side
70
71
72
perform mae-geri
perform the punch using the
right elbow
turn diagonally left
73
74
75
perform mawashi-uke (the
translator’s note - uke with
a turn)
perform block to gedan
forward in kokutsu-dachi
stance
perform uke using crossed
hands
76
77
78
raise up open palms
turn forwand
rotating to the
right and bring
your hands
together in
front of your
chest
perform double geri
79
80
81
perform a punch using back
of your hand
taking a step back, perform
the block to gedan
taking another step back,
perform the block to gedan
82
bring your hands together in
front of your chest
83
lower your hands to the
waistline level
take the readiness stance
Kata Chatan Yara Kushanku conquers the world.
Detailed analysis
19
#1. 2015

20. Blow not knowing
the obstacles!
Special report on the ushiromavashi-geri technique
Miki Kobayashi
20

21. Currently Miki Kobayashi is the captain
of the female national team of Japan, and
its strongest link that repeatedly confirmed
at Kumite Championships held both in Japan
and abroad. As a student of the third year,
Miki won her first World Championship, and
won the bronze medal at the second one. This
year she is going to take part in the World
Karate-do Championship for the third time
and become the holder of the champion title
again.
To characterize briefly progressive kumite
of this athlete, it is enough to call two epithets:
strong and rapid. Miki’s favorite technique
is punches, but lately she is focusing on the
development of ushiromavashi-geri, and she
told us about it willingly.
21
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22. Miki Kobayashi
She was born on November 4, 1989 in Mie Prefecture.
She finished Keyay High School under Higashi Osaka
University and graduated from Teikyo University. She is a
coach of karate section of this University. Since the 12th
grade, Miki is a part of the national team of Japan. At the
moment Miki is a leading athlete of female kumite team
in the weight category up to 55 kg.
Even as a schoolgirl, Miki performed many times at the World
Juniors Championships. In the third year of the university she
first came at the adult world championship and won. Miki
is still at the forefront of female athletes performing in the
female kumite. She strives to become a world champion
again.
The latest main results
The WKF World Championships
The winner of the 20th World Cup (2010), bronze medalist
of the 21st World Cup in the individual and team kumite
(2012), two-time Champion of Asia (2012–2013),
Champion in individual kumite and two-time Champion in the
team kumite (2012–2013) of East Asian Championship
EAKF, the winner of the 6th East Asia Championship (2013),
the winner of the 2nd World Martial Arts Games (2013),
the Champion in the individual and team kumite (2013)
of the 68th Japan Championship for Physical Culture,
the three-time Karate-do Champion of Japan (2010–2012).
PROFILE
Ushiromavashi-geri is Miki’s
new favorite technique.
The leading athlete of
the Japan national team in the
weight category up to 55 kg shows
impressive growth of skill.
Miki was in her third year of
university, when won the “gold”
at the World Cup held in Serbia
in 2010. That victory became
possible due to persistent
workouts of the athlete, and
the technique of high-speed
punches is still called as her
hallmark. Miki’s determination
reflected in the motto “Attack,
if you decided to attack!”, and
the courage with which she
penetrates into the opponent’s
space, remains unchanged.
In 2012, Miki had to settle for
“bronze” at the 21st World Cup
in France. To stay on the prize
positions was also a big deal,
requiring enormous efforts. But
this achievement did not bring any
joy to Miki, she did not hide her
disappointment and frustration.
According to the athlete’s words,
she found herself thinking that
she looks for excuse to her
defeat, and it was found: it is
difficult to become a champion,
when combining training with
work. Immediately after this
tournament, she took part in the
Championship of Japan and
managed to win the top award.
Encouraged by this victory, Miki
abandoned her earlier plans to
leave the big sports. “I really want
to become a world champion
once again”, said Miki, explaining
her decision. The turning point
occurred in the life of Miki in 2013.
After experiencing the defeat
at the World Games in July, she
lost her confidence and fell into
depression.
We will talk how Miki found
the strength to overcome
the depression, and how her
kumite changed. And now we
return to the fact that she
was entitled to participate
in the World Championships
and tell about her unique
ushiromavashi-geri in which Miki
have concentrated the whole
experience of her participation
in sports tournaments. In contrast
to her high-speed punches
performed by her more intuitively,
ushiromavashi-geri technique
became the result of her complex
search, deep study and hard
workouts. In schools, Miki
studied ushiromavashi-geri, but
she almost never used it during
the competitions. When she
performed at the Asian Indoor and
Martial Arts Games in 2009, Miki
received response ushiromavashi-
geri and lost with a score 3:2.
This defeat hurt her and became
the impact to start studying
ushiromavashi-geri. When
studying this technique in detail,
Miki revealed many hidden
details in it that can make the kick
successful. Miki’s tactics with a
focus on this blow was absolutely
right: in the future almost all points
at the championships 2013,
including the Asian Championship,
Japan Championship, Tokyo
Championship for Physical Culture
and the World Championships held
in the beginning of 2014 in Paris,
she took ushiromavashi-geri.
Moreover, this strike was equally
effective in both the attacks and
counterattacks.
We asked the world champion
to share the secrets of her
crown kick.
22

23. Okay!
Not bad!
Those, who are unable to perform ushiromavashi-
geri, should start from the very beginning, with the form.
Miki learned this as she was a child. And we can say
that this initial knowledge became the basis of her
ushiromavashi-geri.
Photo 1. Lean your back against the wall. Support
foot is fixed, cope the front foot and touch the wall with
your fingers.
Photo 2. Once you learn how to perform the movement
in a right way, as shown on photo 1, you can begin to
exercise with leg pulling. Front foot touches the wall
drop the front foot support leg is pulled up to
the front one pull up the front leg and touch the wall
with the fingertips. When performing the exercise, stand
along the wall, movement shall be performed in one fell
swoop with repetition.
Kanami Ishizava, the student
of Teikyo University, practices
in karate section of this university
as once Miki did.
Miki Kobayashi does not hide that has
adopted new kamae. Previously, she preferred
kamae in which the body weight is on the front
foot. Together with this stance Miki started
using kamae with the load on the back foot. We
recommend you to try this kamae with exercises
for ushiromavashi-geri.
Practically do not change the position of the head, but if you
slightly lean it, you become further for the opponent.
Body
weight. Weight is on
the back foot.
Take that!
Photo 1a Photo 2a
Photo 2c
Photo 1b Photo 2b
Photo 2d
Ushiromavashi-geri:
basic exercises
for the beginners
Try to
perform
Geri!
Forward!
Kamae with the burden of
the weight on the back foot:
take note
It is easier to perform geri using
the front foot.Try to get
away from
the blow.
Increasing the distance, you can easily
and efficiently perform the rearward movement.
Weight is on
the front leg.
Body
weight.
23
#1. 2015

24. Many athletes try to block ushiromavashi-geri. To get around the obstacle, at a time you
need to perform mae-geri in a straight line and in that moment, when you are close to the target,
to turn your ankle. That is necessary to pass over the block of the front arm around the inner side
of the locking arm.
Photo 3a
Photo 4a Photo 4b
Photo 4c Photo 4d
Photo 3b Photo 3c Photo 3d
In close combat you need to shake the hands of a rival!
This is
impor-
tant!
This is
impor-
tant!
This is
impor-
tant!
When you
shook
the hand
slightly move
aside the support
leg.
Open
To deliver ushiromavashi-geri to
the opponent in close combat, you must
perform the following steps.
It often happens that we cannot break
through geri, because we are in the capture
with the opponent, as shown in Fig. 3a. In this
case, it is important to shake the hands of
the rival.
The person who wants to perform geri (in
this case – Miki), shall turn outwards left arm
at the elbow area quickly and shake the hand
of the rival. From this position the support leg
shall be unfolded slightly exteriors. And it is necessary to push easily
the opponent in the clinch position, in order
to be able to apply ushiromavashi-geri.
Pushing an opponent, do not step back
immediately. As photo 4b shows, it is needed
to bring the support leg a little to the inner side
of the opponent. If you move the leg back, geri
is unlikely to reach the goal. Remember that
the secret to a successful implementation of
geri is in turning the support leg to the inner
side.
Having moved
up the foot
a little, you
will be able
to adjust
the distance.
support
leg
when pushing
the opponent
slightly
to interior.
The kick reached
the goal!
Ushiromavashi-geri breaks
any block in a straight line!
As if performing
mae-geri
a sharp turn shall be
performed at the end of
the movement
Ushiromavashi-geri
in a straight line!
Targeting
inside of
the block!
24

25. Particular advantages of an angle. Strike back!
To get to the back of the head…
When you lead in a duel, it is
very advantageous to use the mat
corner in the dying seconds,
as in such cases the opponent
is almost always going to attack.
At this point, you can strike back:
having adjusted the distance
by moving back and “read”
the intentions of the opponent,
perform response ushiromavashi-
geri using the front foot. Here
you need to aim at the back part
of the head, as if you wrap up
the opponent.
To hit the back of
the head so as if you want
to wrap the opponent
up, your leg performing
geri should be bent
at the knee.
Targeting in this
direction
Geri Bending
Counterblow with long transposition!
This is
impor-
tant!
The
opportune
moment
The
opportune
moment
Synchronize the rhythm It is important to choose
the moment, when the opponent
will attack
Exploit an advantage of an angle. Move back. If the weight is on the back
foot, it will be easier for you to
perform geri.
Target to the back of the head.
During the footwork, it is
necessar y to synchronize
t h e t r a n s p o s i t i o n w i t h
t h e o p p o n e n t . S e i z i n g
the moment, when the opponent
tries to attack from behind, meet
his attack using ushiromavashi-
geri, which shall be performed
with the front foot. This kick fits
very well to athletes practicing
a long step. It is performed
at the moment of the attack;
therefore, it is very difficult for
the opponent to respond to it. It is
necessary to “catch” the rhythm
of the opponent, and make it so
that the opponent could not guess
of anything.
If you want to choose the
side of the head as a goal, the
opponent may guess that you plan
ushiromavashi-geri. Therefore,
it is desirable to aim at the back
of the head.
25
#1. 2015

26. 2013: the shell is cracked
The condition for participation
in the World Games, called
the second Olympics, is the
presence of medals won recently
at the Championships of Japan.
Five athletes – Miki Kobayashi,
Kayo Someya, Ayumi Uekusa,
Ryutaro Araga and Ryo Kiyuna –
have been accredited from Japan
to participate in these prestigious
competitions held in Cali, Colombia,
in the last July. Someya and
Uekusa, which are kohais at the
university, won gold medals. Araga
won in a tense struggle in the
heaviest weight category of male
kumite. Kiyuna won the bronze
medal in the kata competition.
Only Kobayashi left the races after
the first meetings and returned
home without a medal.
Miki’s per formances by
their content were even worse
than the results. Shortly before
the Championship she broke her
right arm. The mere existence
of this injury seemed to Miki
the convincing excuse for her
defeat. And additionally, Lucy,
the strongest athlete from France,
who lost to Miki the last World Cup,
was waiting for her on the mat.
“I will not be able to win this
championship…” disappointed
Miki thought for the first time
in her sporting life. There was
neither desire to win in her mind,
nor the courage to come into
confrontation with powerful rivals.
No wonder that in such a mental
state, she could not withstand
the fierce competition and lost.
She was upset by her sense of
helplessness even more than
the actual loss, and at that moment
she lost a very important thing –
confidence, brought up on all her
achievements. Instead, her soul
and mind were filled with negative
thoughts, which she could no
longer cope with.
The world of sports lives
according to its own rules, which are
often very severe. It is very difficult
for the winners to stay on top of
the podium. And if the champion
breaks down, then his falling often
resembles the stone’s falling into
the abyss. The rise after such fall
is incredibly difficult. It is much more
difficult to climb to the top than for
the first time.
After the World Games, Miki came
to the gym of Teikyo University after
her work and practiced completely
alone during the summer holidays.
Going for a run, Miki worked
mechanically with her feet, and
the picture of the World Games
came to life in her mind. Painful
memories made everything blurry,
and she began to work hard, in order
to get rid of anxiety and emotional
stagnation. Just at this time, Miki
began to think of kamae and started
to practice a new stance for her with
shifting the weight to the back foot.
First this kamae seemed unusual
to her, then she decided that this
stance can be used during some
waiting moments. However, Miki
found wider application for this
kamae in the process of its deep
study, due to which she stroke
the probability of ushiromavashi-geri
delivery. And the options for moving
backward and sideward movements,
as well as the types of attacks
and defense increased almost
immediately. The application of both
new and old kamae allowed Miki to
diversify and expand the tactics of
delivering combat.
In October, she won the 68th
Championship for Physical Culture
in her hometown Tokyo. And
in the future she was able to show
the world her rebirth with a help
of her victories at the 6th Asian
Championship and the 2nd World
Martial Arts Games.
Continuing to act in the same
vein, Kobayashi won the Premier
League tournament in Paris
in January this year. Miki, like
breaking a solid shell, became
much more courageous. She is no
longer afraid of any changes and
experiments. And the athlete
showed absolute confidence while
rewarding.
“After the defeat at the first
World Games my mother was
the first person, who supported me.
When I participate in international
championships, she always watches
the duels and is always gratified
by my success, when receiving
preliminary results, and thanks me.
Real amicable support was provided
to me also by my classmate Rimi
Kajikawa, the winner of the Asian
Kata Championship. She, like me,
is now in a difficult situation: kohais
come on the heels of us… Looking
at her, I also try to work with all
might,” admitted Miki.
Miki Kobayashi is very strong this
year. The second raise to the sports
top hardened her will, she became
stronger in times and expanded her
kumite. And there is no doubt that
Miki still has vast opportunities for
growth.
Will the bourgeon pierce out?
Kobayashi is not afraid of any changes
26

27. Mr. Abdulayev Sarsynbay
2nd
Vice-president AKF
The year 2014 that was very eventful in the life of
karate is behind now. The AKF plans to demonstrate
its dynamic development in this year again. Important
role in this process is played by CAKF, which became
the author of a number of projects targeted to
diversify the life of the Asian Karate. One of them
is the creation of the AKF awards. This proposal was
approved by the AKF. The medal designed by Kazakh
designers was already approved by the AKF Executive
Council.
Awards of different ranks are intended to assess
the merits of the AKF members who have contributed
to the development of the Asian Karate.
As the project initiator, I would like to assure all
my colleagues that the obligations to implement
the project and all further actions related to
the issuance of awards will be embodied in the
nearest future.
27
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28. New approach in
Author: Shin Tsuki Pictures: Tomohito Kamobayashi
The 21st
WKF World Championship held on November 21–25, 2012,
became the most massive for the entire history of kumite. Technically,
it demonstrated the direction of development of this type of combat.
The article explaining kumite technique in our first edition received
great resonance among the readers: we received significant number of
both opinions and questions. This is why we decided to publish the second
pool on kumite elements. It will tell about the techniques the athletes
used in the process of the international tournament.
NEW EXPLANATIONS!
KUMITE-KIHON 2
Why does the karateka gain 20 cm
advantage in “kani” (translator’s note:
kani is translated as “cancer”) stance?
Last time we wrote that your tsuki reaches
the opponent in side kamae but you will
become inaccessible for the opponent.
However, evidently, these explanations were
complicated for understanding, and we will
speak about such stance at first.
We will compare it with other kamae
used by the athletes frequently. Firstly, look
at figure 1. This is so-called moto-dachi,
when you stand in shallow zenkutsu-dachi
and the body is slightly turned.
In this position turn the body accurately
sideward not moving the feet forward or
backward, rotate your toes at 90 degrees,
and the head is shifted 10 cm back (Figure
2). And even if the feet will be kept at the
same place, the opponent’s tsuki will be 10
cm farther.
KAMAE
28

29. 1
2
3
4
Now let us perform gyaku-tsuki
from moto-dachi stance (Figures
3–4). Then change moto-dachi stance
for kamae shown at figure 2, and
perform gyaku-tsuki again. And you
will see that you are able to perform
tsuki much farther (figures 5–6), as
tsuki will easily come 10 cm further.
Comparing side kamae (kani
kamae) and moto-dachi kamae,
it shall be noted that it is possible
to gain 20 cm advantage from
the same location but just changing
kamae: you will be 10 cm farther
from the opponent’s punches, and
at the same time, 10 cm closer to
the opponent to perform your tsuki.
The cause of low risks
in “kani” kamae
“Kani” kamae has also other
advantages. It permits to minimize
the risks due to the angle of toe
position. As we have already
mentioned before, they shall be
rotated at 90 degrees, id est you
shall take kokutsu-dachi or siko-dachi
stance.
When we take moto-dachi, then
take zenkutsu-dachi, this is why
the toe of back foot is directed
diagonally forward.
And here we propose the toe
of back foot to be directed either
strictly sideward or diagonally back.
As such position of the toes will allow
minimizing risks of surprise attack of
the opponent. The most dangerous
moment is to receive your opponent’s
blow, when you start your attack.
Firstly, the technique applied
by your opponent has rather more
significant impact in such moment.
Secondly, you are not ready
psychologically to protect yourself
in attack position.
If moto-dachi stance will be
changed by siko-dachi, your
face remotes 12 cm away from
the opponent.
And even tsuki, which could
not reach the opponent
from moto-dachi stance,
reach him now.
29
#1. 2015

30. When you move
forward in moto-
dachi stance,
the body shifts
together with
the foot resulting
in the risks.
5 9
6 10
7 11
8 12
We will consider an example chudan gyaku-
tsuki. When performing it in moto-dachi stance,
the whole body moves with the front foot movement
(figures 7–8).
This is why you approach the opponent with all
the body starting from the moment of movement and
put yourself in danger.
However, if you take semi-kokutsu-dachi or siko-
dachi, then only front foot moves forward, while back
one becomes the support wall, and the entire body
stays virtually at the same place (figure 9–10).
The reason is hidden in the proposed position of
the toe of back foot either sideward or diagonally back.
If you take “kani” kamae, even if you penetrate
the opponent’s area moving your foot forward, your
body still stays at the inadmissible distance from
the opponent. And the risk to receive the counterblow
is rather low. It is sufficient to turn the body and your
blow will reach the opponent from such position.
Later, if you take zenkutsu-dachi, your body will stay
at the same position. And in case you return to “kani”
stance, you will move away from the opponent. Id
est advantage is available in quick distance creation
(figures 11–12).
Probably, the readers will have some doubts here:
when the body does not move together with front
foot, the distance shall not be decreased. However,
if you try to perform this technique in practice, you
will see that tsuki “becomes longer” in “kani” kamae.
Perhaps you will think then: if the body does not
move together with the foot, the punch will occur
delayed for some moment. We shall say there
is no virtually difference. Id est, we throw front foot
in “kani” kamae, thus, penetrating rather deeper to
the opponent’s area.
It is required to shift entire body taking moto-
dachi stance, where zenkutsu-dachi is the basis.
While in “kani” kamae having kokutsu-dachi or
siko-dachi as a basis, we throw front foot and
shift the body turning the lumbus. In addition,
the movement is performed much easier, as
the weight is reallocated correctly.
Continue actions
3–4: tsuki will
achieve the goal, if
it is performed from
siko-dachi.
If to penetrate
to the opponent
in siko-dachi
stance, back
foot becomes
support wall, and
then you will be
able to approach
the opponent by
front foot only.
In such position, it is
enough just turn
the body, in order to
penetrate closer to
the opponent and
reach him.
Then it is possible
to move away
from the opponent
turning the thigh to
external side and
pulling the hand
back.
30

31. Photo 1a
Photo 1b
Photo 1c
Virtually all the world class athletes take siko-dachi stance.
Kamae
of the crowned athletes
Now we propose to consider kamae of the athletes
who took part at the international championship.
Photo 1a shows the finals of the best karatekas ever
entering the category up to 75 kg, the duel between
Busa from Italy and Aghayev from Azerbaijan.
The toes of both athletes are at 90 degrees. Such
stance allowed them free maneuvering, winning
the opponents and reaching the finals. Besides
these two karatekas, virtually every participant
of the international championship fought taking
such stance. And the winner of the previous Bros
Championship (Brazil), who reached the victory this
time, takes similar to siko-dachi stance (photo 1b).
And both finalists in the category up to 67 kg,
Khanafy (Egypt) and Saeid (Iran) also took siko-dachi
kamae (photo 1c).
Japanese athletes are mainly taught moto-dachi
kamae. Due to this fact, they are not used to apply
siko-dachi stance. However, taking into account all
above-mentioned advantages, this kamae shall be
considered as more favourable and advantageous.
Moreover, such stance is critically important for
Aghaev, the lowest athlete in his category. This time
Japan team had relatively many athletes applying
square kamae. For example, Ryutaro Araga changed
his stance and his body posture (which always was
shifted forward) became straight, the penetrations
of this athlete to the opponent became deeper. This
resulted in less number of mistakes. Maybe it was
the reason due to which he succeeded to reach
the finals?
In the next
issue
Relocation
with
crossed
legs
31
#1. 2015

32. Having waited the opponent’s going off,
Aghayev (Azerbaijan) performs clear
ushiromawashi-geri (photo 2). And Biamonti
(France) performs ushiromawashi-geri (photo
3) at the moment of going off of the opponent
from Turkey. These two photos have one
common thing that both athletes do not
lose sight of the opponent, flexing the body
capably.
In close contact, it is the most significant
thing to try to disbalance the opponent as
early as possible or prevent him to move.
Photo 4 shows how the athlete from Turkey
performs geri trussing up the opponent. Photo
5 illustrates how the athlete from Korea pulls
the opponent forward and performs geri.
Photo 2a Photo 4a
Photo 2b Photo 4b
Photo 2c Photo 4c
Photo 2d Photo 4d
Photo 3a Photo 5a
Photo 3b Photo 5b
Photo 3c Photo 5c
Photo 3d Photo 5d
Geri
32

33. Geri is considered
to be the flowers of karate
This blow may restore your position, go forward
and put the spectators into a flutter. Especially,
at the world arena, when everything may happen
even with the score difference amounting three
points and the struggle continues till the final signal.
Particularly, sasori-geri used by Ko Matsuhisa
to defeat Aghayev two years ago. This technique
was widely spread, and many athletes applied this
technique at this championship. Sasori-geri became
so popular that when Matsuhisa was performing,
French spectators shouted waiting namely this
technique to be performed by him.
This time the audience was happy to see response
geri against the opponent’s tsuki. It was performed
at once as response to tsuki or then stepping back:
at the moment, when the opponent delivers tsuki
or after the punch, he receives response geri. He
is disappointed not only by the fact you got three
points for geri, but also psychological damage due
to the missed blow is rather serious.
When taking “kani” stance with toes being at 90
degrees, it will easily allow you to move back and
parry the opponent’s attacks. And as the thighs are
also unfolded, you have the possibility to perform
geri anytime: it is sufficient just to raise the foot.
In other words, you may easily parry the blow, and
perform geri with one movement.
Photos 2a-d illustrate how Aghayev performs
response geri against the opponent. Here an
attention is required to be paid to the following
moment: as photo 2b shows, the opponent started
his attack, Aghayev turns his body simultaneously
and pulls his leg to himself. Rafael possesses
excellent flexibility, strong legs and body. He
performs utter kick using his amazing force and
flexing the body and pulling his leg to himself.
When looking at photos 2a-d at the head level,
it is clear that Aghayev forecasted the opponent’s
actions. This is why, he comes to geri curving
the body. We shall do justice to his discernment
and the fact how skilful he uses central tanden.
Azerbaijani athlete pushes out his foot up using
lumbus, changing the body position and applying
force of falling. Due to this fact, it does not matter how
far the distance of the opponent performing tsuki,
if the moment is forecasted correctly in temporal
space, geri will achieve the goal without fail.
Also many other athletes use such response geri.
Let us look at Alexander in photos 3a-d. Here he
also pulls his leg out using the force of the bending
body. Both these athletes do not drop the sight from
the beginning till the end and watch their opponents.
They watch the opponents even bending; this
is why they can control response geri until the blow
is completed.
Geri in the hold
The championship witnessed another bright
technique – ushiromawashi-geri at the moment
of hold. This is by no means new technique, but
if it is succeed, it brings three points as well as
psychological damage to the opponent.
Photos 4a-d illustrate ushiromawashi-geri
performed by the sportswoman Yenen from Turkey.
She keeps remotely from her opponent. In addition,
she holds the opponent’s left shoulder and delivers
geri using right foot from invisible corner.
And the most amazing thing is the toes of
the support left foot are unfolded at 180 degrees
as it is shown in photos 4a-b. This says of wide
unfolding of hips: it is possible to demonstrate
strength and obtain points even from such restricted
position.
Id est, if you beware of only nage in hold, you
may definitely receive geri. The hold shall be
considered as the best chance for the attack
due to close distance of the opponent. There are
such holds, when the opponent is unmovable (as
shown in photos 4a-d). Or on the contrary, when
the opponent is shifting (as shown in photos 5a-
d, where Kim, the athlete from Korea, pulls his
opponent forward).
Both techniques are similar in a way the upper part
of the body is captured. Due to this, the opponent’s
attention is focused only on his upper part, and he
may not notice geri.
In case of close contact the opponent’s range of
vision is narrowed, hence geri can be used effectively.
However, when performing such technique only one
foot serves as a support, and you may easily lose
the balance. In this case, it is required to act first
and try to do the same with the opponent or truss
him up. Otherwise, you give him possibility to feel
the moment to knock you down.
Lately, sasori-geri in the hold becomes more
popular, and it becomes more difficult to dodge it.
33
#1. 2015

34. Photo 6
The athlete performs chudan tsuki in siko-dachi stance,
approaches the opponent in kokutsu-dachi stance, takes
zenkutsu-dachi turning the lumbus, and then returns
to siko-dachi and steps back from the opponent. It is
important here that he approaches the goal not using
the hand but lower part of his body.
To use fully hip turnings
to external and internal sides,
when performing chudan tsuki
We discussed chudan tsuki already many times
before. The international standard of the punch
is deep penetration to the opponent using entire body
and head. The instance is illustrated in photos 6a-d.
It is necessary to select required distance moving
back and forth, take kokutsu-dachi stance, then bend
the knee and perform gyaku-tsuki.
Changing siko-dachi stance kokutsu-dachi
zenkatsu-dachi siko-dachi, we minimize our risks,
increase chances for successful blow, and gaining
the point correspondingly.
It stroke the eye that when returning after the blow
to certain distance from the opponent, back thigh
rotated to external side at 180 degrees, and the toe
looking forward appeared twisted right back.
Id est, the hand is not pulled back, but it is moved
back by the turning of the thigh. This witnesses that
entire body is used in this technique.
Then it is required to take kokutsu-dachi,
it allows shifting the body to the inaccessibility
zone for the opponent’s punches. Turning thigh to
internal side from this position, penetrate deeply
to the opponent’s area. With it, if the lumbus will
be sufficiently unfolded, it is possible to avoid
the opponent’s tsuki to the head even involuntarily.
And it is possible to move away from the opponent
by easy thigh turning. Thus, it is preferably to perform
tsuki using the hips.
Counterblow
at the same moment
And here you may ask: will not be tsuki late, if
it is performed from kokutsu-dachi stance turning
the lumbus, id est to put the foot first, and then
turn the lumbus. We grounded many times that
it is virtually no difference whether to perform tsuki
in zenkutsu-dachi stance using front foot or penetrate
to the opponent’s area in kokutsu-dachi and then
perform tsuki turning the lumbus.
However, reach dissonance of tsuki is practically
longer in all the cases from kokutsu-dachi stance.
Photos 7a-d illustrate Yauz, the athlete from
Turkey (left), performs response punch turning
the lumbus in kokutsu-dachi stance against his
opponent’s chudan tsuki shifting in zenkutsu-dachi
Photo 6a
Photo 6b
Photo 6c
Photo 6d
Gyaku-
tsuki
34

35. stance. As it was explained earlier, Yauz approaches
the opponent by the front foot, with it, other body
parts do not move forward.
Comparing photos 7 and 7b, it is seen well
that upper part of the body is stable. Tsuki of
both karatekas achieved their goals virtually
simultaneously, but in the result the point was given
to Turkish athlete.
Two jodan tsukis per one step
Let us consider what will be with jodan tsuki.
Photos 8a-d show the moments of punches. Two
punches were performed per one wide step. When
the second gyaku-tsuki reached the goal, the body
weight was transferred to the front leg, this is why,
if the punch would really achieve the goal, you may
easily imagine what powerful it shall be.
However, as for jodan tsuki, the punch may go
through and reach the goal even when the front foot
is still in the air. But in the most cases tsuki achieves
the goal, when the front foot is put to the ground and
the body weight is shifted to it.
Two punches per one step are performed, in order
to cause the opponent’s response with the first
tsuki, instigate some action from his side and open
the opponent’s protection. Photo 8b demonstrates
how the athlete deliver kizami, the opponent tries
to perform counterblow and drops the protection.
In the result, as photo 8c illustrates, the second tsuki
is delivered to “open” area.
Photo 7
Response punch is performed similarly.
It is important to move forward not
from zenkutsu-dachi stance, and it is
better to penetrate using kokutsu-
dachi stance and turn the lumbus.
Photo 8
There are a lot of types of jodan tsuki
including two punches in one step as
it is shown in the photos: we make to
activate the protection using the first
punch, and perform the second
punch, when the opponent opens
himself.
Photo 7a Photo 8a
Photo 7b Photo 8b
Photo 7c Photo 8c
Photo 7d Photo 8d
35
#1. 2015

36. 写真9b 写真9f
Photo 9
Subsequent movements of the athlete Bros. He performs flat gyaku-
tsuki, pretends to be going to perform geri and freezes for a moment
in kokutsu-dachi stance. And he penetrates at once to the opponent’s
area curving his body. Than the athlete gets points for kizami-tsuki.
He stops in kokutsu-dachi and has opportunity to perform tsuki again.
Photo 9a Photo 9e
Photo 9b Photo 9f
Photo 9c Photo 9g
Photo 9d
36

37. Kizami-tsuki
Kizami
Tsuki with lunge using the body
The significance of jodan kizami-tsuki is growing
everyday in fast-evolving sports karate. Gyaku-tsuki
is further from the opponent, this is why, the opponent
may read your intentions in the way, respond accordingly
and avoid your attack. Therefore, growing number of
the world top athletes applies kizami-tsuki and other
punches which can be performed at close distance.
As a matter of fact: the champions and challengers
for such title yield the points using kizami-tsuki time
after time and perform the punches with the front hand
more often. Aghayev, Tanos, Busa, Kenji and other use
them increasingly.
Front-hand punch is the most efficient technique:
you are close to the opponent at this moment
and the hold is not even supposed. However, as
the minimum of actions is required here, you may
make mistake relatively the distance and penetrate
to the opponent not sufficiently deeply. Therefore, it is
required to use the central tanden as the “extension”
to achieve the goal, id est to approach the opponent
with the help of body bending.
Kizami-tsuki means shortened close-distance
technique, and it is necessary to manage to perform
the punch within visible range of the opponent.
Bros, the athlete from Brazil, performs kizami-tsuki
in photos 9a-g. Having performed flat chudan tsuki,
he shows as if he is going to perform geri and waits
for the opponent’s response. He freezes for a moment
in kokutsu-dachi stance. And he penetrates at once to
the opponent’s area bending his body. After that Bros
moves forward with all his body.
All the athletes, who succeed to perform kizami-
tsuki well, as a rule, control their body masterfully.
Special feature of “kani” kamae is also the fact that it is
possible to bend the body both back and forth in siko-
dachi stance. In other words, the athletes may bend
their body and perform tsuki fast not due to the fact
they are so talented. It happens rather naturally
in “kani” kamae.
37
#1. 2015

38. 写真11a 写真11b 写真11c 写真11d
TRANSPOSITION
AND LOSS OF BALANCE
Photo 10
Transposition is performed by Aghayev within just ten seconds.
Having performed lunge forward, he returns back (a-d).
He comes forward one more time and now moves sideward (a-f).
He comes forward one more time, presses the opponent and moves sideward
immediately (g-h).
Then he presses the opponent (i-m).
Using such different movements and transpositions, it is possible to disseminate
the opponent’s attention and «kill» his desire to attack.
In addition, actions i-m are performed by Aghayev using part of the leg lower the knee,
with it the body stays stable, and it means kamae is also stable. Therefore, he penetrates
to the opponent’s area at high speed. In this situation, it is more difficult for the opponent
to capture the rhythm and choose suitable moment for the attack.
Photo 11
Lee, the athlete from Korea, performs undercut excellent using hip of the stationary foot.
It seems it was not very intensive, but the opponent was knocked down.
Фото 10a
Фото 11a Фото 11b Фото 11c Фото 11d Фото 11e
Фото 10g Фото 10k
Фото 10b Фото 10h Фото 10l
Фото 10c Фото 10i Фото 10m
Фото 10d Фото 10j Фото 10n
Фото 10e
Фото 10f
38

39. Transposition
Free transposition
I think everybody knows that tatami of sport
karate has eight quarter meters at its square and
presents a regular quadrilateral. So there are four
corners and the same number of parties which
boundaries can’t be not only crossed, but go away
from the opponent and vice versa – to pursue him.
Therefore, the athlete shall be able to operate in a
square rather than round.
And, of course, moving back and forth does not
allow using all the possibilities. Here again it should
be spoken about Aghayev’s movements. There are a
lot of athletes capable of moving in all directions. But
all of them are far behind from Rafael.
A classic example of such manifold transposition
is the first ten seconds from the start of sparring.
Aghayev (in red helmet) immediately begins to move
actively to the opposite direction. Moving forward, he
comes back (photos 10a-b) and immediately moves
rearwards. It seems that he is moving forward, but
already goes to the left (photos e-f). Having rotated
the tatami, he tries to “kill” his competitor’s intention
to attack.
Now he suddenly approaches the opponent
and immediately goes to the left (photos g-h) and
then reduces the distance again and approaches
the opponent (photos 10 i-j). Probably, there are
not such athletes who equals to Aghayev who can
demonstrate such small movements. In seconds
Rafael succeeds to take the initiative, to “kill”
the opponent’s desire to attack, to spread and
to dispel his attention in other words to render all
the types of pressure to opponent.
Thus, the opponent’s psychology may and must
be seized by transpositions.
Transposition shall
be performed lower the knee
The fight lead in siko-dachi and kokutsu-dachi
has many advantages; Aghayev’s movements show
it perfectly. This allows not only moving quickly back
and forth but not changing the body position up and
down. Besides, fast actions admit not to take look away
from the opponent. The secret is that transposition
is done mainly by body movements lower the knee, as
the angle of both thighs remains unchanged.
If you look at various movements of Aghayev,
you can see that his thighs are at the same angle
without any changes. Further Rafael’s actions (after
photos 10 a-j) impressed even more. As photos 10
k-n show, the Azerbaijani begins to press his opponent
after plenty of fun over him. But he performs his
transposition by quick and small movements of legs
below the knees, but the body remains motionless.
When body is static, the opponent usually does
not attack because a person feels the rhythm of
the motion. When approaching the opponent rapidly,
but the body doesn’t move up and down, kamae also
remains motionless. In this situation, it is difficult
for the opponent to grasp the dynamics of body
movements and choose the opportune moment for
attack correspondingly.
Therefore, the opponent is forced just avoid
pressings and he doesn’t have any ability to attack.
It is impossible to move free and quickly in all direction
in moto-dachi stance.
Loss of balance
Stationary foot is
as a wall in “kani” kamae
Finally, let’s mention the techniques disrupting
the opponent’s balance such as, for example,
undercuts, etc. Recently, more cases occur, when
scores are obtained for nage performance, but
the number of undercuts reduces. However, kamae
with the toes turned at 90 degrees recommended by
us will definitely provide unsurpassed results.
Photos 11 a-e illustrate the undercut of Lee,
the athlete from Korea. Being the champion of Asia,
he was one of the contenders to the highest title
of the championship. However, he was defeated
according to the referees’ decision at the fight with
Bros, the winner of the previous championship,
although the meeting ended with equal score 3:3.
Lee is good in aiming to lower part of the opponent
without losing the sight. It is felt that the opponent,
who is undercut, doesn’t understand how
it happened. The toe of stationary foot is directed
back from the beginning till the end of the kick.
His stationary foot is strong like a wall. Therefore,
even a slight touch contains enough power to turn
the opponent at 180 degrees.
The “feature” of the undercut is to make it with
the help of the stationary foot which is strong as a
wall without dropping the glance as the athlete Lee
does it. It means, the toe is rotated at 90 degrees
in kamae and the undercut is performed in the same
position. Kamae performed in “kani” as well as
the opponent’s balance shall be destroyed in “kani”
stance. If the undercut will be performed namely
in this way, the opponent will be knocked down by
one slight movement.
39
#1. 2015

40. Why shall the foot performing
geri be put down not forward but
closer to the stationary foot?
We should go away from
the opponent after performing
jodan geri, because there is a
danger to be affected by nage,
undercut, etc. If you put your
foot forward, i.e. become closer
to the opponent, your opponent
has a good opportunity to attack
at this moment.
To form the habit to put the foot
to the original location (and thus
go away from the opponent), you
need to return the kicking foot
immediately to the stationary
foot. Thus, you can control it to
except it further movement
mechanically.
Why is not it obligatory for
the back foot toes to be directed
forward in kizami tsuki?
At the first sight, it may seem
that tsuki will be better if the toe
will be directed forward. However,
entire body is displaced pushing-
off the stationary foot here. Try to
perform knee bends on one foot
and make sure it is more difficult
to displace the body standing
on one foot.
If the toe of back foot is turned
back diagonally the bottom of
both feet are on the floor fully. As
the feet are bump into the floor,
the repulsive force will be
stronger. Further we add the work
of front hip and body turn. All this
will allow moving the body forward
faster; hence, the punch will be
stronger.
Photo 9 e shows the toe
of the athlete Broz directed
diagonally backwards. And he
performs kizami-tsuki from this
position. Such style is inherent
not only to him; almost all athletes
perform this hold in this way. They
perform these punches from
this position not due to the fact
they were taught in this way, but
because they practice “kani”
stance, where kizami-tsuki results
in such way naturally.
Why is it impossible to control
the whole body in moto-dachi
and zenkutsu-dachi stances?
You will get an answer, when
comparing, where it is easier to
curve the corpus: in moto-dachi
or siko-dachi side stance. To
curve the body taking siko-dachi
is easier, isn’t it?
Now we will compare it with
zenkutsu-dachi stance. It is
easier to work with the body, but
it is impossible to bend back.
Whereas the body will be moved
freely back and forth in siko-dachi
stance. Thus, this stance allows
performing diving easily.
Returning back to kizami-tsuki:
it is better and more effective to
use abilities of upper and lower
body together during motions
At the end we will respond to questions received
from readers after the first publication about Kihon in Kumite
40

41. In the next
issue
How to
become an
ideal for
the sport-
engaged
child?
instead of relying only on the lower
body, isn’t it?
I have quadriceps ache after
performing “kani” transposition.
Maybe my motions were wrong?
Perhaps you lean forward
in kamae, if you have quadriceps
ache. It is needed to change
the stance. Connect the blade-
bones, hold the fist of front hand
at the same line with the front
hand. And if even after this you
have unpleasant feeling, it means
you have ache in other muscles
because the most used muscles
here are located around blades,
gluteus maximus muscles,
hamstring, etc.
How to perform geri using
back foot in “kani” stance?
It may seem that it is better
to perform geri by front foot
than back one in “kani” stance.
However, it is far from true. Many
international athletes perform geri
using back foot successfully.
A classic example is Ivan
Legrelo (Spain) (correct spelling
of sportsman name must be
specified) who was at the top of
the globe podium for a long time.
He used the right-sided kamae.
But he never used the front
hand or foot. He performed all
techniques as guyaku-tsuki or
geri using back foot. Although
the opponent was ready to the left
side kicks, however, his geri often
reached the goals.
When performing geri from
square kamae, many people
believe that the athlete “opens” to
the opponent. However, there are
ways to overcome such moment.
Here are three main points:
• Do not penetrate to the
opponent by moving forward
but step aside;
• When the leg is pulled to
the body, the corpus must
have already come forward (so
the time, when you are “open”
is extremely short);
• Protection (front hand) can­not
be dropped and disclosed.
Is it possible to get coun­
terblow, when performing
chudan tsuki using double step?
As we discussed earlier
in this article, if you perform
tsuki in moto-dachi stance using
double step, you can easily
receive the counterblow. But!
If you perform transposition
in “kani” stance, you penetrate to
the opponent with your first step
and disappear from his sight, so
your opponent’s counterattacks
will not reach you.
Moreover, the first step shall
be performed sideways, the entire
body is hidden behind the front
hand and you become smaller as
a target, consequently, the chance
of counterattack decreases.
The readers possessing previo­
us issues of the magazine can
read the issue dated as of October
2006. We already wrote about
effectiveness of “kani” kamae
that we talk about at the first and
current issues of “Kihon in kamae”.
You can understand better
the answers to the questions
No.2–4 after reading the edition
as of October 2006. And you may
also study the information why
kokutsu-dachi and siko-dachi are
the basics of karate.
When Biamonti in 2005
and Legrelo in 2006 held their
legendary seminars in Japan,
they have already used this style
perfectly. While only few athletes
were able to work in “kani” style
in a way they were.
We hope that styles of world
karate stars will be widely
disseminated and applied due to
this edition.
41
#1. 2015

43. About advantage of good habits or
the Success starts from the order
Sleepyheads and slovens will never
reach the victory
The winners are those who defeat
their laziness!
Revolution of morning workout
If you have possibility to train the kids in the first half of the day, do it early
morning. It takes one hour to practice kihon, kata and kumite minimally. And
this hour of the training shall be conducted consciously: to comprehend which
exercises to be performed, what actions to be undertaken, what is condition of
brain and body of the human. But what will be the result? Satoru Imamura is the
author of “habit education” theory which is popular in Japan. It involves clean
habits, tidiness, early awakening, etc. These good habits are able to diversify
your life and make it more intensive and interesting. In this article Imamura
sensei shared his opinion what shall be the best team and how to organize
morning trainings.
Author: Satoru Imamura,
Executive Director of
Mental Risk Management
JSC
Illustrations: Kazuha Kohinata
Redactor: Aina Kohinata
43
#3. 2014

44. The sympathetic nervous system works, when we move or
are under stress.
The parasympathetic nervous system is engaged, when we
sleep or rest.
The pulse, breathing during sleeping, immune function, body
temperature regulation, etc. do not depend on our will, and
are under the control of our nervous system, which is called
vegetative nervous system. The vegetative nervous system is
divided into two systems: the sympathetic nervous system and
the parasympathetic nervous system.
To use your
abilities at maximum
Morning workouts may bene­
fit but only in a case, if you
take into account a state of
soul and body, when starting
the exercises.
In the beginning we
will speak about
the special features of
the morning hours.
The sympathetic nervous
system, which works all
the day long, has rest at night.
The organism re s t s, as
the parasympathetic nervous
system comes to the fore. At the
wakening moment, when you
wake up almost but not totally,
the parasympathetic nervous
system is engaged in your body.
And imagination works very
actively before full awakening and
sensibility is higher.
This is why the specialists
af f irm that evening and
night time is more suitable
for text overlearning, when
the sympathetic nervous system
is engaged. And if it is required
to use imagination for some
training, it is better to do it, when
the parasympathetic nervous
system is active.
When applying these special
features of human body to karate,
evening and night time is efficient
to perform exercises for strength
development such as geri, tsuki,
etc., with it, their number shall
customary. Also it is useful to pay
attention to kumite.
I recommend waking up
the muscles in the morning;
especially it concerns internal
muscles, which will give tonus for
the whole day.
There is no need to start
implementation of intensive
movements. It is better to use
your state of active imagination
at maximum: try to imagine or
invent new movements, and start
to perform them as if leading quiet
dialogue with your body without
harry and bursts.
Morning is wonderful time,
when you may watch the condition
of your body and soul. When you
wake up, something like restart
happens. At this moment you may
feel what and where hurts you,
whether your body is flexible and
soul is calm.
An early bird…
It is interesting, how do you
behave before the morning
workout? Do you leave your home
earlier or fight against temptation
to sleep a couple of minutes?
When sleeping or keeping
awake, α-waves appear in our
brain. The same waves occur
About great benefit
of morning workouts
Morning workouts will bring you maximum benefit, as you can easily
remember new exercises, strengthen your body and improve mental activity.
I think many sections practice daily morning workouts. This article narrates
what is condition of our body mornings, and gives the recommendations how to
compose the programme of morning workouts in a right way.
44

45. Probably, there is any
strain in the spine?
Is there any strain
in the belly?
Would I be able to
concentrate today?
obligatory at the wakening
moment.
These -waves send the data
to our subconscious mind starting
from the first seconds of their
origin. I.e. everything you feel
or think about is sent to your
subconscious mind. If you wake
up with the thoughts: “I must get
up again…”, “I did not get enough
sleep again…”, etc., such thoughts
fill your consciousness fully.
On the contrary, if you get
up cheerfully without any delay,
saying just: “Ok. I got enough
sleep. Get up!”, this sends also
the information to the brain,
and you obtain actively adjusted
consciousness.
These rather simple things
contain the answer to the question
why I strongly recommend waking
up early and tidying up in my
trainings for habit education. When
you make decision to do something,
it always provides respective
attitudes. And one of the trainings
is to get up early mornings.
Good habits
may change the life
If you use to get up at least
15 or 30 minutes earlier, you will
have enough time before school
or work. And the shortage of time
at your workouts leads to the fact
you become the party accepting
the attacks. In the result, you
appear not only in losing situation,
but also risk to be injured.
And all the leading companies
of Japan and dojos, having
the strongest teams of athletes,
assessed great benefit of
the order and reach scrupulous
neatness through obligatory
cleaning. In opinion of the heads
of such dojos, if every movement,
starting from ordinary tidying
up, to be fulfilled according
to high standard, the level of
the trainings will rise significantly.
They are convinced that persons
implementing cleaning for 70 %
are inferior by both stability
strength and duration to those
making cleaning for 100 %.
Therefore, abovementioned
workouts will be more effective,
if they are not spontaneous but
performed totally understanding
your condition in morning
hours. Even tidying up, which
it should seem, does not relate
to the competitions, shall be
implemented in full force and
effect. Thus, you can adopt a
habit to think actively and control
yourself at high conscious, and
you will learn to take an initiative,
strive to the leadership in sport
life. I.e. you will have such
conscious leading you to the best
without any compromises. Even
if it concerns daily pursuits such
as cleaning, which everyone
can implement. Namely such
conscious makes the athlete or
the team to win.
And now it’s time to get
acquainted with the exercises
directed to the training of four
main good practices: to get up
early, tidy up, keep a diary and
swear an oath.
I recommend morning workout for
the body which shall be fulfilled as if speaking to it.
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#3. 2014

46. Fight for victory begins from the quality
sleep Exercises for good habit education
The habits make an
athlete stronger
Get up early Make cleaning
The secret of earlier awakening
is known by everyone and is almost
banal: you need to go to bed earlier.
And it is needed to learn to remove
the fatigue and have a good sleep
for having trainings with maximum
benefit.
Firstly you need to relieve the
fatigue. For this purpose I advise
to take a bath before going to bed,
make a good stretch and have light
meal 2-3 hours before sleep.
It is important to remove not
only the physical fatigue but moral
too. The human brain works 24
hours a day so if you are nervous
at bedtime and think about any
problem the brain will think about
all of this even during your sleep
and it will be an additional stress
for your body. And if you think, for
example, about gratitude you feel
to your parents or those you have
karate lessons with or imagine
your past or future successful
performances before bedtime
your brain switches to the pleasant
moments and thus you will be able
to remove the accumulated moral
fatigue.
Champions are much disciplined
and everything - whether it’s food,
rest or exercises - are treated by
them as a part of the training.
Follow their example. Remember
that for successful performance
you need to learn how to remove
the physical and mental fatigue
and wake up 10-15 minutes earlier
than your usual time.
You can have a coffee or open
a window and get some fresh air
after getting up. In other words, it
is very useful to do something that
will elate you. And then your brain
will program the entire body that
getting up early is very nice.
Next I recommend
doing cleaning
Every morning even for just
10 seconds clean your room.
To make the room cleaner, it is
enough to throw out unnecessary
piece of paper or just open the
window and ventilate the room. It
literally means that it is needed to
perform an action that is similar
to cleaning for 10 seconds. The
main idea here to make such
46

47. Keep a training diary Ten most important vows
“cleaning” from day to day to left
for this at least for 10 seconds.
If you dream of a champion title
you need to clean not everything
but, for example, every 10 square
centimeters of area a day and
remove it so carefully you can
say that it is the cleanest place in
Japan. And take other centimeters
next day. And make it every day.
And if to continue to do this even
in a limited space the idea to
become the best athlete in Japan
will be appeared and reinforced in
your mind.
A new look at lifestyle
I want to advise you not just
to fix a list of exercises from the
program of your trainings on the
paper but record its contents
as your coach or sempai said.
I explain why. Today when you
make these records everything
seems as simple and clear but
it can happen during re-reading
the written records a year or two
later you will understand it more
deeply. Also it is very useful to
write down what you would like to
receive in the future. For example,
“I want to perform the technique
ideally...” or “I want to win the
world championship.” This will
give the corresponding attitude
to your spirit.
It’s preferable to coach during
checking the trainings dairy to pay
attention to them who critically
evaluates their results and sets
the abstract goals. Students,
whose records have no specifics,
often do not understand what
they should do. Therefore, it is
necessary to have a conversation
with them to make them think
and determine a clear direction
for themselves. For example, it is
difficult to understand from the
record “I want to add physics”
the characteristics are missing:
strength, endurance or speed.
The coach task is to identify
such gaps and choose right
the understandable exercise
that might sound like that: “to
conduct three-minute sparring 10
times in a row”, etc. It means it is
necessary to ensure the student
has formed the accurate and
understandable goal.
Go to the next step. Student
chooses the exercises that
wanted to learn and draws them
into vows and a coach makes
sure every day that they are not
violated. It is enough to perform
10 exercises daily during three
weeks. The detailed and clear
description of how hands, mouth
and feet are working should be
given in vows. It is advised to
avoid expressions of negation
such as “I will not do ...” It is better
to write affirmative sentences like
“now I will do ...”
If you set a goal to create a
strong team the following vows
may be written: “to be ready 10
minutes before training”, “to
perform the command training
camp immediately after hearing
without delay.” If you want to
improve the technical side, it is
possible to specify the tasks in
vows: “it is needed to return to
kamae after kicking because it is
easy lost a kick after geri”, “once
a day to make video of kata and
learn it.”
The vows concerning the
personal life can be written,
for example, “to iron kimono by
myself.” If you keep a vow, make
the appropriate mark. First try to
keep the vow within three weeks.
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#3. 2014

48. 7 am - Beginning
7:05 am - Warming up,
training
The best morning trainings
that allow athletes to win against
opponents from all other schools
begin with the first command on
the bow.
I want to offer you the best
program of morning trainings
for clubs and sections aimed to
awareness rising.
At the beginning we need
to learn the basic rule: nobody
dares to be late for training. If you
allow yourself to be late even for
a minute or to change clothes a
minute before training it is said
that you are uncollected. Learn
to prepare for classes so that
you have the opportunity to be
wrapped up in training and do your
best. If you are morally stronger
than your opponent it will allow
you to work more than enough
and as a result you will be able
to avoid the occurrence of injuries
and other unpleasant situations.
If you are not concentrated in the
morning, you will spend the entire
day in such condition. Morning
sets the pace for the whole day.
Everything is important: the mood
you get up with, the expression
you have shower with, words you
resort to others with... Learn to
treat morning more consciously
and start the morning training
with such spirit. In an effort
to raise the level of your team
you must make sure that team
captain initiated all good habits,
for example, to get up early, to
make cleaning, to be punctual,
etc. It is useless to force a person
to do something until he does not
show his will. And captain should
try to present these initiatives
so that team members feel that
they have come to these ideas by
themselves.
As I said above it is important
to plan the training. The main
thing is to understand clearly the
purpose of evening and morning
trainings. There is no meaning
to perform the same exercises
in the morning and evening.
In the morning you can do the
exercises for body and torso
training, slowly perform kata
and correct these techniques
but it will be useful, for example,
pay attention to the sparring
or to the amount of striking
exercises in kata and kumite,
and thus get a great result from
the combination of different
purposes in the evening.
Let’s develop a training
program that will allow both
instructors and students to focus
on one idea and develop a single
direction of whole club or section.
Let’s back to the cleaning
theme. I repeat the cleaning
whether it is morning or evening
cleaning or cleaning after class
should always be made with
such care, if you want your dojo
to become the cleanest in Japan.
Such attitude would raise the
level of consciousness. I think
there is nobody who thinks it is
possible to chat or relax during
cleaning. You should understand
that cleaning is also a very
important part of training, and as
soon as you begin to think so the
direction of your mind begins to
change immediately.
Let’s consider the box section
as an example relating the subject
How do they train
in a strong dojo?
48

49. 8:05 am - Cleaning
8:15 am – Training camp,
mounting
of our conversation. It is involved
about 100 persons and there is
the world title boxer among them.
Imagine he is making cleaning
always and does his best as in
the ring. Perhaps, this is the very
approach when seniors show to
juniors by their example how and
what they should do.
But from the point when we
want to bring up person who can
be useful to society I recommend
to make cleaning for everybody:
junior, senior, temporary and
permanent members, etc. It
is needed to make sure that
common desire to “improve your
space and become the best team”
all of us consider as something
natural and self-evident. If you
have a few free minutes in the
morning for meeting you can
imagine how your team “thanks
the morning”. If you want to give
a great importance to morning
meeting I propose to pay special
attention in conversation to such
moments as “goal for today” or
“ambitions concerning upcoming
championship.” So you give a
good start to morning trainings
and as a result you will have a
great mood for the whole day and
a terrific working capacity.
I am sure that bows are
performed in every dojo and
everybody knows what are seiza
and ray. But leaders and laggards
can be identified not only during
the training. For example, after
the executing the command
“bowing forward, bowing to the
teacher, bowing to each other”
there is always someone who
will get up earlier than others.
This athlete becomes stronger.
Therefore, even to the ray bowing
you can’t treat as a daily moral
duty. It is also a kind of exercise,
training of reaction “who gets up
faster.” And it is needed to strive
to be faster than others and then
yesterday you in everything: to
come earlier than anyone, answer,
get up, do some technique... All
these are the steps on the way to
become the champion.
I hope that now you will begin
your day with a full morning
training too.
Satoru Imamura
Sensei, Executive Director of Mental
Risk Management JSC
The author of unique theory which
includes sections such as “habit
education”, “way of cleaning”, “diet
copy” and others.
He enrolled in a section of Shaolin
during his study at the University
and won the silver medal at the
championship of Japan. He was the
captain of the team which won
championships in Japan repeatedly.
However, he suffered a stroke in
age of 22 causing him problems
with the memory. In the process of
rehabilitation he was able to instill
certain habits to himself which further
were systematized and became the
prototype of his currently popular
“habit education” theory.
Imamura firstly tested his theory
on absentees who shirks from
study, and the results exceeded
expectations. And today he conducts
seminars for company managers and
educators. His theory firstly applied in
the children training is widespread in
various fields.
Imamura’s motto is: “The life can
bechangedwithahelpofgoodhabits.”
Schematically the basic principles of
his theory are as follows: “life = mind
* knowledge * action”, “way of habit =
early get up * cleanliness * the inner
world * 10 vows.”
Satoru Imamura is the author of
many publications, has participated
in television shows of NHK channel.
Let us be acquainted with each other!
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#3. 2014