Dothan Tournament

The next Dothan tournament will be held on this Saturday November 4. 

Tsutsui Sensei will be coming from Japan with 4 of his students and other guests are coming from Germany, California, Miami and Texas.

To honor the memory of Soke Yamamoto, we will leave an empty chair at the official table on the stage above the arena during the event. 

Sumi-e painting of Soke

For the opening ceremony :

• Shihan and up will be wearing their Suits.
• Third and Fourth degrees will be wearing Hakama.
• All other Black Belts wear their regular Gi.

• All Black Belts please bring a Bo.

Please encourage all your friends and fellow students to attend and compete.

Kaicho Toyama and Culbreth

Update on Soke Yamamoto's Health.

A message from Donna Toyama about Soke Yamamoto :

We have been getting messages from people who want updates on Soke, understandably, so Toyama Sensei asked me to send an update and ask if you could send a group email to update schools.  

On January 28 in the morning we received a message with the following.

Soke has been more stable and uplifted since the visits by WYKKO members and he and Minako San want all of WYKKO to know how much they appreciate the continued prayers and encouragement they continue to receive. It means so much to them.  

As of this morning, his creatinine levels in the kidneys remain too high, but he is trying to stay strong.  The doctors asked him if he would try an anti-cancer medication (assuming it is a chemo drug) and he agreed. It was administered yesterday.  

We don't know if that is something to be continued or when or what results it might give.  We will continue to update as we can get new information.  

Please continue to uplift Soke and their family as you are able.  They keep repeating how important and how much it means to him and their family.

Thank you all!

An Inspiration to each one of us !

Happy 67th Birthday and a long and happy Life to Kaicho Toyama ! 

Kaicho Toyama and Shihan Paul Turner

California Summer Camp. July 11th, 2015.

 

To all Yoshukai students and parents: 

We are having our annual Summer Seminar/Workout on July 11th in the Palisades. It will be a great time to come train and meet both of the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization Directors, Mr. Toyama (8th Degree Black Belt) and Mr. Culbreth (8th Degree Black Belt), along with other visiting high- ranking Black Belts from across the U.S.A.

Traditional white uniforms (gi) must be worn during the workout. The cost for the whole day is $50 per person, $85 for two, and $100 for three or more. All kids that participate in the Seminar will receive a karate medal. 

 

The Summer Seminar/Workout will culminate with a party at the Pearl Dragon, celebrating Gerry Blanck’s 33rd Anniversary in the Palisades. If you would like to join us for dinner, it will be at 7:30 pm.

Saturday, July 11th

• 10:00 to 12:00 – Traditional Yoshukai Training by rank
• 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch break (you can bring your own lunch or you can get lunch from the nearby eateries)
• 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Traditional Yoshukai Training for adults
• 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. – Traditional Yoshukai Training for kids.
• 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Fun and Games for the kids

• 9:00 p.m. On – Party at the Pearl Dragon, DJ and Dancing! 15229 W. Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 , (310) 459-9790

Hope to see you all there, OSU !!!

Sensei Gerry Blanck

Victoria Cup

On April 25, 2015, the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) at Camosun College Interurban campus played host to the 5th Annual Victoria Cup Karate Tournament.  Directed by local karate instructors Hanshi Masanobu Kikukawa and Renshi Greg Turnbull, this year’s event featured over 100 competitors from Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.  

Kyoshi Mike Puckett addresses competitors 

and spectators during the opening ceremony.

In attendance were special international representatives from the WYKKO (World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization): USA WYKKO Presidents Kaicho Hiroaki Toyama & Kaicho Mike Culbreth and Yoshukai Japan Vice-President Fuku-Kaicho Nobuyuki Matsumoto. Local long-time karate instructors Mike Puckett, Kurt Nordli, Frank Clayton, Sukwinder Manhas, Don Shapland, Pat Byron, Chris Barclay, and Carl Scott were also at today’s event providing their support and officiating expertise.

The Sheung Wong Hung Fut Kung Fu Lion Dance team kicked off the opening ceremonies which also included a group gesture, “Y for Yamamoto” to ailing Yoshukai founder Soke Katsuo Yamamoto. Soke Yamamoto was unable to travel to Victoria as he is currently in the fight of his life battling cancer back in Japan.

Competitors and officials raise their arms in 

the shape of a “Y” in support of Yoshukai 

founder Soke Katsuo Yamamoto

Hanshi Kikukawa on behalf of Soke Yamamoto presented Kaicho Mike Culbreth with his 8th degree black belt, and local Yoshukai members also received black belt rankings:  Greg Turnbull (4th degree black belt) and Arlin Ablaza (2nd degree black belt).
The morning’s competition started with Raj Basi from Canada’s Best Karate (CBK) taking 1st place in adult black belt kata while Ethan McKenna, also from CBK, took the gold in junior black belt kata and Shihan Paul Turner from WYKKO in Alabama won the senior black belt division.  Weapons kata divisions featured wins by Nick Graves from Yoshukai Canada in adult short weapons, Kyoka Shapland from Chilliwack Tenshinkan in junior black belt short and long weapons, and Paul Turner once again taking 1st in senior long weapons.
       

    

Ethan McKenna performs the Tonfa kata 

while Tyler Linel works with the Bo

From L to R:  Renshi Greg Turnbull, Shihan Mike Lilley, 

Shihan Paul Turner, Sensei Erin Halstad-McGuire,  & 

Hanshi Masanobu Kikukawa.

Another feature of the morning’s events included  kata and point-fighting divisions for special needs competitors.  The brain-child of local instructor Nancy Puckett, 6 competitors bravely stepped forward in front of the supportive crowds to demonstrate their abilities and inspire others facing the same challenges to do the same. 

The afternoon saw the sparring competition in 3 categories:  point-fighting, full-contact, and “bogu kumite”.  Similar to the morning events, Canada’s Best Karate students Raj Bassi took 1st in adult point-fighting and Ethan McKenna took 1st in the junior black belt division.  David Lee, from Puckett’s Noble House of Karate, placed 1st in both black belt full-contact and bogu kumite divisions.  All competitors showed good fighting spirit and technique along with good respect towards their opponents.

David Warburton receives a left hook delivered 
by Dave Lee in their Bogu Kumite match

Head kicks a plenty during youth 

point-fighting divisions.

Overall, the event was a success with competitors and spectators providing positive feedback to the tournament organizers.
 
Shihan Dai Greg Turnbull, Victoria, CANADA DojoPhotos by Don Osbourne

WYKKO ONLY TOURNAMENT

COMING THIS WEEKEND

APRIL 18, 2015

THE WYKKO TRADITIONAL KARATE TOURNAMENT

IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA

Don’t miss out on this closed WYKKO Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Roswell Parks and Recreation center at 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell, Georgia. The tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. (Georgia time) and will run straight through. Make your plans to participate in this tournament, which will only be WYKKO students. 

If you need accommodations the Roswell Suites at 907 Holcomb Bridge Road and the number is 770-552-5599 and ask for the Yoshukai rate. 

All students should make an extra effort to be at this tournament. There are a lot of other activities that you can do while in the Atlanta area (Six Flags……). 

If you need any additional information, please ask your Instructor.

Kaicho Hiroaki Toyama & Mike Culbreth

 

Update on Soke Yamamoto (March 13)

At winter camp, all of us Yoshukai Students had formed a heart on the beach. Mrs Toyama had taken this picture of us and sent it to Soke Yamamoto - hospitalized with pneumonia - with get well wishes from the whole organization.

On March 13, 2015, Sensei Toyama received a text message from 山元 ミナコ (Minako San) saying that the poster of the posted picture and well wishes had arrived. She immediately took it to the hospital for Soke Yamamoto to see. 

Soke had already been watching the picture from Facebook and asked Minako San to show it to him sometimes, at which point he was tearing up, overcome with emotion for the love and caring shown for him. He was very excited about it and asked that I send this message on Facebook.

Soke Yamamoto wishes for you all to know that he is so grateful for your love, support, and encouragement for him. When he first saw the picture, he was very sick and mentally giving up his fight. His doctors didn't have much hope because of the severity of the pneumonia, along with his already weakened condition from the cancer. When he saw the picture and heard your wishes, he felt a power and strength surge from within. He has continued to watch it and gather strength, and much to the doctors' surprise, his condition stabilized and the fever began to subside. In fact, the doctor told Minako San that it was a surprise and miracle that they hadn't anticipated. At this point, they are discussing possibly releasing him, if he continues improving and they hadn't expected to be able to. 

Soke Yamamoto with his daughter Minako and Nurses.

He wanted you to know that he feels strength and will to continue to fight this and his wish is to be able to come see you all again, one more time. He asked to thank you all again for helping him to be strong and have the desire to keep pushing ahead.

Soke and Mrs Sumiko Yamamoto

Please continue to pray for Soke and his family. His condition is serious, and we know that love and prayers can give strength with God's help. Please feel free to send any wishes to Minako San, or we can provide an address to send by mail. He attributes much of his mental fight and inspiration to all of you guys in WYKKO. Let's keep him uplifted in the way that you are all so special at doing! 

Osu! 

This post was created from information provided by Mrs Toyama