My Karate Project

The History of Karate

Almost impossible to verify due to the secrecy surrounding it and the lack of written records.

Influences Various Chinese sources India

History beginning 520 A.D.

Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, or Daruma Taishi Traveled to China Taught Chan (or Zen) Buddhism to the monks at the

Shoaling Temple in Henan province Taught the monks a systematized set of exercises

designed to strengthen the mind and body The beginning of the Shoaling style of temple boxing.

The teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts, the Shoaling monks eventually gained the reputation of being the most formidable fighters in all of China. Their fighting method became known as Shorinji Kempo. As they travelled to teach about Zen it influenced

numerous other Chinese fighting styles.

Karate styles

There are 4 styles that stand out as the most popular, theses styles are:

Kyokushin ShotokanWado ryuShito ryu

Kyokushin FoundingFounded by Mas Oyama in 1953

1956 the dojo moved to a permanent location

1957 opened as the Kyokushinkai which translates as the “Home of Ultimate Truth”.

Every 4 years since 1975 the Kyokushin World Knockdown Tournament has taken place

Kyokushin Karate

Kyokushin karate means Ultimate Truth.

Similar to other styles with White uniforms Color belt system Grading syllabus Dojo etiquette Kata Kihon Kumite

Multiple Kumite Continuous full contactOpponents of 50-100 Only 17 have defeated 100 Mas Oyama has a record of 300

Kyokushin training

Continuously and rigorously tested. Senseis uses three main teaching

points

Tameshiwari

Breaking solid objectse.g. wood, ice and concrete Also used to decide fights

Knockdown Fighting

Defeating by knockdown including kicks to the head no simulated combat

Shotokan Founding

The founder was Master Gichin Funakoshi from Okinawan He synthesized the elements of all

Karate techniquesA very competitive sport

Several competitions each year Dojos schedule regular friendly fights

Shotokan Karate

An intense physical mind-body exercise. Decisive method of self-defenseBenefits

A way to develop self-control Discipline for kids Manage stress for adults.

As it is so popular and competitive there are thousands of dojos around all training people in the way of Shotokan karate

Wado ryuWas founded by Japanese Master

Hironori Ohtsuka Trained in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Ji Jitsu,

Ohtsuka began to study a mixture of Karate styles that eventually became known as Shotokan Karate.

Translated into English means ‘The Way of Peace’.

Wado-Ryu

Wado-Ryu is one of many styles of Karate now being practiced in the United Kingdom.

You don’t have to be ‘young’ or ‘fit’ to be able to enjoy Wado-Ryu Karate, as the nature of the style allows for students of any age or ability to take part.

Shito ryu Shito Ryu Karate was founded by Kenwa Mabuni

Kenwa Mabuni brought his style of karate to Osaka in 1929 and concentrated on teaching it in universities in West Japan.

The style uses many short, low stances as well the stance known as "shiko-dachi" is common throughout many of the kata. "Shiko-dachi" is a stance similar to that the sumo

wrestlers assume before they face off with each other before they put their knuckles to the ground.

Most popular in west Japan The traditional karate weapons: bo staff, sai,

nunchaku, and tonfa are also taught at the higher levels

Tournaments and Championships

As there are so many types of karate, there are many different tournaments and championships. Some of these will take place each year while others will take place every 2-4 years

There are tournaments for both adults and children

WORLD KARATE FEDERATION

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTSThis year, the 21st World Seniors Karate Championships took place in Paris 116 countries competed There were 876 male competitors, 567

female, 1443 total entries and 990 total athletes,

2 were Welsh 19 English 6 Irish 5 Scottish

World Karate Federation Championship Categories

62 medals were awarded in the Championship. They were awarded to the top 4 in each category. These categories are: Male/Female kata Female Kumuite,

• -50kg, -55kg, -61kg, -68kg, 68+ kg Male Kumuite,

•-60kg, -67kg, -75kg, -84kg, 84+ kg Female Team Kumuite Male team Kumuite

Male/ kata winnersAntonio Diaz from

Venezuela won the male category championship for the second time in a row this year after making his time in the top three a decade long

Championships Date Category

Place

21st World Seniors Karate Championships

11-21-2012

Male Kata

1st

20th World Seniors Karate Championships

10-27-2010

Male Kata

1st

19th World Seniors Karate Championships

11-13-2008

Male Kata

2nd

18th World Seniors Karate Championships

10-12-2006

Male Kata

3rd

17th World Seniors Karate Championships

11-18-2004

Male Kata

3rd

16th World Seniors Karate Championships

11-21-2002

Male Kata

3rd

Female kata winnersRika Usami from

Japan won the female category championship for her first time after finishing third in 2010

Championships

Date Category

Place

21st World Seniors Karate Championships

21-11-2012

Female Kata

1st

20th World Seniors Karate Championships

27-10-2010

Female Kata

3rd

Summary

Karate is an ancient art that has developed in many ways over the years as it has increased in popularity.

Karate helps people develop greater discipline and self-control

It is now a world recognised sport that has many competitions and contestants from all over the world

Sources http://www.dynamic-karate.com/japanese-karate.html http://www.budo-seishin.com/history-of-wado-ryu-karate.aspx http://seitoshitoryukarate.org/History.htm http://syossetmartialartscenter.com/what-is-shotokan-karate/ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miyagi_Chojun.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/t4llberg/5828882565/ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tonfas.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sai.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mabuni_Kenwa.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Funakoshi.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mas_Oyama.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hironori_Ohtsuka.jpg http://www.wkf.net/index.php/championships.html http://www.karatevid.com/article-history.htm http://www.theshotokanway.com/shotokanhistory.html http://www.karateinternational.net/history.html