In the Wado-ryu monasticism system, there is a “Kihon Kumite.” I place great importance on this Kihon Kumite, and I think that using Kihon Kumite in Jiyuu Kumite is one of the best ways to express the techniques and movements of Wado-ryu.
↑The YouTube channel “Karate On Demand,” run by a company called “Karate Press,” featured the “Jukuren Kumite Division Final” of the “61st Wado-ryu Karate Federation National Tournament.”
『Karate Press』という企業が配信しているyoutubeチャンネルのである『Karate On Demand』で『第61回和道流空手道連盟全国大会』の『Jukuren Kumite Divisionの決勝』が紹介されました。
On the second and third days of the summer training camp I organized for three days and two nights from August 8th, the 61st Wado-ryu Karate Federation National Tournament was held at the Tokyo Budokan. It wasn’t easy traveling back and forth between the summer training camp and the national tournament venue every day with 21 students, but once again we created some wonderful summer memories this year. Two of our students won prizes in the kata division, and I competed in the kihon kumite division as a pair with my training partner, Takeshita Sensei, and won a bronze medal. Just like last year, I fought under the theme of “harmony” in the Jukuren Kumite division, hoping to win a black medal, but I wasn’t able to surpass my performance from last year and didn’t get the black medal. However, for me, the best bout was the semi-final against my trusted Takeshita Sensei. Not only was I suffering from pain in my right Achilles tendon, but my right side body had been numb for the past two weeks and I was completely exhausted, but for the first time in my life I want to praise myself for having led more than 21 students through the summer training camp and national tournament.
On August 3rd, I hosted an event to celebrate the 100th birthday of my great teacher, Hiromasa Setamatsu Sensei. I will never forget what Setamatsu Sensei did for me. I have been given the opportunity to contribute to the growth of children every day. I believe that the best way I can repay my teacher is to continue creating opportunities for children to have encounters and experiences that will help them live with hope, making them think, “I want to become this kind of person!” and “I want to live this kind of life!”
“100th Anniversary of Master Hiromasa Setamatsu Sensei’s Birth” Opening ceremony demonstration by Katsuhisa Tomitaka
