Mid-America Karate
Greer Golden, Chief Instructor
Martin Vaughan, Assistant Instructor
James M. Nelson, Executive Director
9192 Norbury Dr., Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1167
PHONE 810-635-7841 FAX 810-635-2189 CELL 810-252-7696
E-Mail: MidAmericaRegion@aol.com
http.//members.aol com/cldwdiver/sckc.htm
4th Quarter 2006

FALL HIGHLIGHTS

Fall Camp Changes Location

This year’s Fall Camp was held on the beautiful campus of Ohio State University, on October 14 and 15, 2006. Forty-three karateka from nine Mid-America clubs were in attendance. Our special guest instructors included Martin Vaughan, rukodan, (Indiana ISKF), James Oberschlake, godan, (Brown County), and David Talley, yondan, (West Side JKA). All three instructors did an excellent job, and offered great insight on how to improve our kata, kumite, and kihon. Charlotte Hands, 7B kyu (Shotokan Karate of Anderson), thought camp was a lot of fun, and said she learned a great deal over the two day period. The Region is lucky to have such excellent instructors willing to offer their services free of charge. David Talley, said it is his way of giving back all that he has gained from the region and his instructors.

There were two training sessions on Saturday, one at 11:00 AM, and the second one at 5:00 PM. These were held in the new Recreation and Physical Activity Center, in the Tom W. Davis Gym. Sunday’s 11:00 AM class was also held in the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, in one of the smaller activity rooms. After Sunday’s training, veteran karateka like Kim and Jeff Weber, both sandans (Shotokan Karate of Anderson), were commenting on their sore muscles, and wondering which of the trainings was the most beneficial. They both did it with a smile on their face, which comes from knowing they had pushed themselves past their previous limits.
Accommodations at the Blackwell Hotel were four star, and all those who spent the night were given a discount by the hotel, and twenty dollar rebate by the Mid-America Region. Roy Spencer, sandan, (Swartz Creek) was quoted as saying, “This is the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at.”

On Saturday night, everyone gathered at the Buca di Beppo restaurant for an authentic Italian dinner, and a colorful slide show of this year’s ISKF national tournament, which was held in Anchorage, Alaska. By the time we were seated, everyone was starving, which made the savory food taste even better. All the pasta helped us get ready for Sunday’s training.

Special thanks to Steve Mark, and the entire OSU karate club for the work they did to make this year’s fall camp one of the best ever. Next year, Sensei James Field, shichidan, will be our special guest instructor. Mr. Field is the chief instructor of the Southwest Region, JKA Santa Monica, California. The date and location are yet to be determined.

“Perfection of Character”

A Book by Master Teruyuki Okazaki. “I wrote this book because it is critical that Shotokan karate practitioners and other martial artist know that the martial arts are about more than physical development, self-defense, and competition; most importantly, they are about perfecting one’s character.”

This book comes highly recommended by Larry Rothenberg, yondan, (Cleveland). “It is a superb book and should be recommended to everyone...”
Master Okazaki’s book may be ordered online at www.nijukun.com. It is also available through www.ISKF.com. The cost is $19.95, plus shipping.

2006 Fall Shiai Draws Many

Mid-America’s second annual fall shiai drew thirty-three adults and twenty-six youth to Delaware, Ohio, on November 11, 2006. Again, we were honored to have karateka travel from the University of Illinois, Chicago, to participate in this year’s shiai.

The competition started shortly after 11:00 AM, and was completed by 3:30 PM. This was due in part to the excellent work done by Roma Ritchie, Donna Collins, Dalana Henson, Tom Coleman, Jeff Weber, and all our other table workers. One thing which did slow down competition was the lack of black belt judges. Only nine out of eighteen clubs sent representatives to judge or to compete. This number must improve for next spring’s regional tournament. If you are a club instructor, you should take the responsibility of attending or at least sending a representative from your club to judge or to participate.

Competition was open to all Shotokan karateka. In addition to students from UIC, there were also participants from the Ann Arbor, Michigan, karate club.

Because the 2007 ISKF National tournament is being held on November 11-12, 2007, in Phoenix, Arizona, the date for next fall’s shiai will be determined at the 2007 annual business meeting. The regional tournament will be on May 19, 2007, in Delaware, Ohio, and the annual dan test and regional meeting will be held on May 20, 2007.
At the bottom of the page, there is a complete list of this year’s shiai participants and results.

ISKF Membership Dues

All Mid-America karateka are reminded their ISKF membership dues may be paid at four different times each year. If your membership is due on January 1, 2007, please see your club instructor in order to renew your individual membership. It is important that each member take responsibility to keep his or her membership current.

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Nelson at 810-635-7841, or at MidAmericaRegion@aol.com

Club Membership Fee Increases

This year’s ISKF club membership increased to $100.00. That is a $30.00 increase from last year. In the past, the Region has charged $85.00, to each club. $70.00 went to ISKF headquarters, and $15.00, went to the Region. This extra charge was used to help support the ISKF National team. Last year, the Region donated $400.00, to the national team. This year, the Region is going to absorb the cost increase; however, if you or your club would like to make an additional donation, feel free to do so. Please make checks out to Mid-America Karate, and send it to regional headquarters.

Master Okazaki Visits Mid-America

On December 9, 2006, Master Teruyuki Okazaki, Chief Instructor ISKF, visited Mid-America to give a clinic, dan test and instructor training class. It was held in Delaware, Ohio, at the Willis Middle School. There were over eighty-one karateka in attendance. This is the largest turnout in many years, which is great considering that six clubs had no one in attendance.

The instructor trainees worked on nijushiho and a variety of basic techniques. Master Okazaki stressed the importance of kihon (basics), and the principles which govern shotokan karate.

Following the clinic, a dan test was given to fifteen students. Passing their shodan exam were Karen Bennett (Kentucky), Dawn DeBrocco (Kentucky), and Sam Utley (Indiana). Nidan promotions were given to Terry Cooley (Dayton), Steve Mark (OSU), Raymond Moore (Butler County), Hiroshi Nemoto (Swartz Creek), and Brett Riedel (Dayton). Those passing their nidan exam have been invited to join the Instructor’s Training Program.

After the dan test, everyone was invited to the Brown Jug restaurant for a dinner celebration with Master Okazaki, Sensei Golden, and Sensei Vaughan. Over thirty people had a chance to listen to some great stories from Master Okazaki and our own Sensei’s Golden and Vaughan. In addition, Master Okazaki autographed copies of his new book, “Perfection of Character:”.

Master Okazaki was deeply touched by the warmth and generosity he received while visiting our region. He wants to thank everyone for the hospitality and karate spirit displayed by the entire Mid-America Region.

Next year’s clinic, dan test, and instructor training program are scheduled for the same weekend in December. We hope everyone will make a concerted effort to attend.

Karateka is Diagnosed With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

This year, the Marsh-Pry family has been hit hard with bad news. Brian, Tracy, Jared, Lexi, and Josh all train at the Swartz Creek dojo. In early December, Tracy’s mom died of cancer, and three weeks later eight year old Jared was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Fortunately, he has received excellent care at the Detroit’s Children Hospital, and has a very good chance of recovery. Brian, Jared’s dad, feels he owes a great debt of gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and care providers at the Children’s hospital. “Without them, Jared’s chances of recovery would have been greatly reduced. The speed and
efficiency of the doctor and his staff has been remarkable.”

Jared still has a long recovery period ahead of him and must undergo additional treatments over the coming year.
To make things worse, while they were away, their roof leaked, and did a great deal of damage to their home. Brian is going to have to replace the roof as a result.

Swartz Creek Karate Club members have donated food to the family, and will be having a fund drive to raise money in order to help pay for Jared’s medical cost and treatment.

If you would like to make an additional donation, please send it to Jim Nelson at: 9192 Norbury Dr., Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1167. Even the smallest amount will be appreciated. Make checks payable to the Swartz Creek Karate Club.
In a related story, Ahren Peplow, West Side JKA, also lost his father to cancer. Bill Peplow was a friend to everyone who knew him, and will be greatly missed by all. If you would like to help his family, please contact David Talley at: 1838 Overlook Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509

Forth Annual Winter Training Coming Soon

On January 13, 2007, Sensei Martin Vaughan will host the Region’s fourth annual “Winter Training” in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Ben Davis High School. It will start at 12:00 PM, and finish at 2:00 PM. If you are planning on testing, please get your registrations to Jim Nelson by January 10, 2007. The cost of the clinic is $20.00, youth kyu test are $21.00, and adults are $26.00.

ADULT Kata Kumite Club

Adults 10 Kyu-6 Kyu
Esz, Greg 2 2 Brown County Y
Kuo, Bob 1 1 UIC Karate
McGreevy, Paul - 3 Brown County Y

Adults 4 Kyu-5 Kyu Women
Graham, Laura 3 2 Brown County
Stahl, Stacey 2 3 Anderson
Williams, Katie 1 1 Athens/OU

Adults 4 Kyu-5 Kyu Men
Dalal, Pratik 2 2 UIC Karate
Faust, Gerry X - Brown County
Grigore, Liviu 3 3 UIC Karate
Venka, Ram 1 1 UIC Karate

Adult Brown Belt
Bowe, Audrey 3 2-W Swartz Creek
Bruce-Keller, Annadora X 1-W Kentucky
Jones, Larry 1 2-M Brown County
Marsh, Brian 2 1-M Swartz Creek

Adult Senior Kata
Bare, Chiho 1 - Swartz Creek
Gordon, Len 3 - Anderson
McVicker, Wendy X - Athens/OU
Nemoto, Hiroshi 2 - Swartz Creek

Adult Black Belt Men
Gordon, Len X X Anderson
Gunn, Eric X X Athens
Hoplamazian, Greg 3 3 OSU
Lawrence III, Morris 1 - Ann Arbor
Moore, Christian X X Brown County Y
Nakamura, Tony X 3 UIC
Nemoto, Hiroshi X - Swartz Creek
Riedel, Brett X X Dayton
Rotnem, Dan X X OSU
Ryu, Tatsuun X 2 Kentucky
Talley, David 2 1 West Side JKA

Adult Black Belt Women
Bare, Chiho X 2 Swartz Creek
Brown, Kate X X Brown County Y
Doolittle, Thu - 3 Ann Arbor
Hofmann, Debbie 1 1 OSU
McVicker, Wendy X X Athens/OU
Ryu, Rachel 3 X Kentucky
Weber, Kim 2 3 Anderson

Adult Team Kata
2 Chiho Bare, Audrey Bowe, Carol Glenn-The 3 Mom's
1 Kim Weber, Len Gordon, Christian Moore-Two Guys & a Chick
3 Nathan Leigh, Gerry Faust, Laura Graham -Brown County
X Kate Brown, Thomas Giordano, Greg Esz-Brown County Y

YOUTH Club

Youth- Age 7-10-Rank 10-6 Kyu
Bickel, Faith 1 1 Brown County Y
Clawson, Dennis X X Ashtabula
Jones, David 3 2 Brown County
Keller, Hannah 2 3 Kentucky
McGreevy, Brendan X 3 Brown County Y
Parkhurst, Robert X X West Side JKA

Youth-Age 8-11-Rank 5-4 Kyu
Esz, Jonathan 2 3 Brown County Y
Marsh, Jarred 3 2 Swartz Creek
Weber, Tabbitha 1 1 Swartz Creek


Youth-Age 9-12-Rank 3 Kyu & Above
Jacobs, Garret X 1 Brown County Y
Malachias, Cheyenne 2 3 West Side
Weber, Jesse 1 3 Anderson
Weber, Lexi 3 2 Anderson

Youth-Age 12-13-Rank 10-4-Kyu
Drake, Amiee 1 1 Brown County Y
Pry, Josh 2 2 Swartz Creek
Ratliff, Ryan 3 3 Dayton


Youth-Age 13-15-Rank 3 Kyu & Above
Bickel, Jr., Scott X X Brown County Y
Leigh, Nathan X 3 Brown County
Parkhurst, Jr., Michael 2 3 West Side JKA
Peplow, Ahren X - West Side JKA
Saidoo, Sydney 1 X Swartz Creek
Suryan, Danielle 3 2 Swartz Creek
Zeleny, Cody X 1 West Side JKA

Youth-Age 16-17-Rank 3 Kyu & Above
Coleman, Chyni 1 2 Ashtabula
Giordano, Thomas 3 1 Brown County Y
Pry, Lexie 2 3 Swartz Creek


Team Kata-Youth
1 Sydney Saidoo, Danielle Suryan, Lexie Pry -SC Brownies
2 Tabbitha Weber, Jared Marsh, Josh Pry -SC Purple Machine
3 Garret Jacobs, Rachel Esz, Scott Bickel, Jr.-Brown County Y

X = Participant

2007 Calendar
January 13, Winter Training
12:00 PM Ben Davis High School
Indianapolis, IN
February 17, Regional Training
11:00 AM Willis Intermediate
Delaware, OH

March 17, Regional Training
11:00 AM Willis Intermediate
Delaware, OH
April 14, Spring Camp
11:00 AM Willis Intermediate
April 14, Spring Camp
05:00 PM Willis Intermediate
April 15, Spring Camp
8:30 AM Delaware Hotel, Delaware, OH

May 19, Regional Tournament
11:00 AM Willis Intermediate
Delaware, OH
May 20, Dan Test & Meeting
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Delaware Hotel
Delaware, OH
June 8-15, Master Camp
Camp Green Lane Lansdale, PA

Editors Note
If you would like to make a contribution to next quarter’s newsletter, please forward it to regional headquarters for printing by July 28, 2005. Thanks to all those who helped with this newsletter. Jim Nelson