On October 11th, American Soshinkan Karate Association’s Team USA participated in the WKO SOSHINKAN III Grand Prix World Championships in Zwiesel Germany.
This was the first time that the United States fielded a team of athletes in a WKO SOSHINKAN international event.
Thanks to the Shihan Jakub Cerny, head of the German Branch of the WKO SOSHINKAN, the tournament was an excellent example of intense competition with the deepest respect and camaraderie of Budo Karate. The tournament included multiple divisions including Kata, as well as different formats of Kumite reflecting the Soshinkan’s dedication to explore the variety and complete expression of combat sport. Shihan Jakub’s team did an excellent job coordinating the teams and athletes from eight nations who came together on this day.
Team USA was lead by Dai Shihan Steve Jackowicz who is the president of the American Soshinkan Karate Association. Shihan Steve’s team had been tested months earlier by Hanshi Andrew Rekunoff, head of the WKO SOSHINKAN, to determine their fitness to compete in international competition. Twelve students qualified for the team, but only 10 endured the months of training. Team USA’s regimen included aerobic conditioning, strength building, endurance training, power training, Kata, and of course extensive Kumite. The Team was supported by private and corporate donations which allowed Dai Shihan Steve to hire a professional athletic coach and a clinical nutritionist to supplement the Budo Karate training that Shihan directly oversaw. The athletes committed to 18-20 hours of training weekly for six months to bring their best selves to the World Championships.
Team USA was composed of 10 athletes with a wide range of ages. The youngest players, Timothy Slivchenko and Vivian Quijano were only seven years old. Timothy is an accomplished competitor in Kata, Weapons, self-Defense Demonstration and Point Fighting, but this was his first foray into heavy contact fighting. Vivian is also an accomplished competitor in Kate, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Fighting, but she is also a champion fighter in Kyokushin Knockdown Fighting. Grace Yunis was nine years old. Grace is also an accomplished competitor in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Sparring, and has seen victory in eight Knockdown Competitions before heading to Germany. Julianna Moore was 10 years old. Julianna also has a decorated competition history in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Sparring, and she brought her experience as a five time Knockdown Fighting competitor to the ring. Nayib Yunis and Jordan Ordonez were both 17 years old at the time of the competition. They are both accomplished competitors in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, and Point Fighting. Nayib was also a four time Knockdown Champion. Jelisa Ordonez then 22 years old, came to the ring without a competition record but determined to prove herself in Germany. Darren Henderson, 27 years old, brough an extensive competition record to the tournament. Darren is a champion in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Fighting, and Knockdown Fighting. He has competed nationally and internationally and brough a strong game to Germany. Natanael Banegas Jr., then 34 years old, was also an accomplished competitor in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Fighting, and Knockdown Fighting. Finally the Team Captain, Kevin Heaney, then 39, was also an accomplished competitor Kata, Weapons, Self Defense Demonstration, Point Fighting, and Knockdown Fighting, bringing age, experience, strength and a relentless spirit to Germany. This team of competitors represented the best in their Dojo, and proudly came to represent themselves, their families, the American Soshinkan Karate Association, and the USA on the world stage. Team USA’s motto is, “Nothing given, everything earned.” That is the spirit they seek to embody at every turn.
Team USA arrived a week early to acclimate to the higher elevation in Zviesal as compared to their home base of New York, USA which is effectively at sea level. It took about four days for the team to adjust and be able to feel comfortable in the thinner air. During the first week before the tournament, Team USA was lucky enough to have Shihan Jakub Cerny head of the German Branch of the WKO Soshinkan conduct a private training session for them. This was a rare opportunity for the team to experience training under the guidance of an accomplished internationally recognized teacher. Although Shihan Jakub also leads Team Deutschland who were competitors to Team USA, he opened his Dojo and his heart to freely teach Team USA as if they were his own students. This is a testament to the character of Shihan Jakub and the brotherhood of Budo Karate which is a cornerstone of the SOSHINKAN. Later that week, we attended extensive rule review in preparation for the big day.
When 11 October came, we were excited, nervous, and determined to do our best in the tournament. Eight nations had sent full teams along with other individual competitors joining the fray. This was the first time the US fielded a team to international competition in the SOSHINKAN. The tournament was intense with multiple divisions; Kata, Point Sparring Kumite, Knockdown Sparring Kumite, Kick Light Kumite, K1 Style Kumite, No Gi Grappling and Submission Kumite, and MMA Style Kumite. Most of our players competed in every division. Though only ten players strong, Team USA represented itself across the mat throughout the day. At every turn, when there was a ring call with a fresh opponent from a team with more bench strength, we drove forward, never retreated, and brought our best game with honor and respect. It was an intense day that demonstrated the highest ideals of the SOSHINKAN; true strength, full commitment and contact in every division, respect, honor, and the exploration of the complete truth within oneself. When the dust settled, Team USA had earned a place with the teams from around the world to stand shoulder to shoulder with them on the awards podium and had proven their worth for a seat at the international competitive table. The count for Team USA was ten first place awards, twenty seven second place awards, and twenty three third place awards! Head Coach Shihan Steve was presented with an honorary first place award for organizing and training the first US team. Additionally, for his efforts in service to the WKO SOSHINKAN and the American Soshinkan Karate Association, Shihan Steve was promoted to Shichidan having his belt presented by Hanshi Constantine Cornel Manolache of Romania, and certificate by Shihan Jakub Cerny of Germany. This promotion elevated him to Dai Shihan Steve, and came with an appointment to become Vice Chairman of the WKO SOSHINKAN. Further, Grace Yunis, who took four first place awards at only nine years old, was awarded “Best Fighter” of the tournament. Timothy Slivchenko, who was only seven years old, and the smallest player in the tournament, was awarded “Best Spirit” since he never backed down although every player in his division was both taller and heavier. Truly Team USA made us all proud!
After the events and awards, there was Dan Grading. Kevin Heaney tested for Shodan. Although he had competed throughout the day, he pushed through ten bare-fisted full contact matches to attain his grade. Darren Henderson then tested for Yodan. He had competed in every division in the tournament but then stood the test of forty bare-fisted full contact matches. As the challengers switched out again and again, Darren stood his ground. The crowd was electrified by his spirit and cheered him on like an old style fight movie. His last two rounds were against his instructor Dai Shihan Steve who ensured that Darren had to fight to the end. As the time on the last match ran out, Darren was still standing. He had shown he had what it took to attain Yodan in the Soshinkan – indomitable spirit. It was with great pride that Dai Shihan Steve tied the belts on these two Dan recipients, whose certificates were awarded by Shihan Jakub of Germany.
Afterwards, there was a grand after party, where we shared stories, food and drink with the leaders and athletes of the branches from the tournament. The intensity of the competition was only matched by the camaraderie and friendship shared at the party. Here the spirit of brotherhood showed itself, where the most ardent of competitors are also the closest of friends.
Truly it was an amazing day. Fourteen hours on the mat. Competing and testing, pushing ourselves to the limit in the truest spirit of Budo Karate. We experienced the greatest gift the Soshinkan approach can provide; we met ourselves and discovered what we were made of. Team USA, like the players from every other branch and nation of the Sohinkan, is made of iron.
OSU!