Congratultions are extended to Ashley Banks – junior orange belt, Arshdeep Singh – junior pruple belt #1, Shirley Zavala & Scott Conroy – brown belt #3, Kristyn Wheeler – brown belt #2,  Trevor Silva – brown belt #1, Anthony Curcuruto & Joseph Reinbold – first degree black belt, Roger Pollina – second degree black belt, Jeff Adler – third degree black belt, Edward Grace – fourth degree black belt.

Adam Masur – Third Place Kata,  Scott Miller – Third Place Kata,  Joe Marotta – Second Place Weapons,  Natalie Monone – Second Place Weapons, Third Place Kata, Third Place Sparring,  Lee Gugler – Second Place Weapons, Second Place Kata, Third Place Sparring,   Tony Curcuruto – Second Place Kata, Second Place Weapons,  Ryan Ammermann – Fourth Palce Kata, Fourth Place Weapons,  Frank Henderson – Fourth Place Kata, Fourth Place Weapons. 

A few photos are below in the preview section.

The 2013 event will be in Ohio.

IT IS ABOUT 3 ½ MILES WEST OF HACKETTSTOWN ON ROUTE 46 – - ½ MILE ON THE RIGHT PAST ECONO COURT MOTEL AT THE BASE OF THE HILL IN INDEPENDENCE.

LARGER SPACE

It is hard to believe but another year has started and preparations are already under way for our 26th annual benefit tournament. Each year we work to make the event run smoothly and charge reasonable fees for competitors and spectators, so everyone may attend. American Isshinryu members will receive a $5.00 discount for pre-registering by March 28, 2011.

As always we will create extra divisions if the number of competitors in a division is large to make the competition fair and enjoyable for everyone.

I hope you and your students will be able to attend to help us raise funds for the American Diabetes Foundation and the high school sports program. Diabetes and obesity are growing in this country because of the eating and exercise habits of our population. Because of some more recent media presentations, people are becoming aware of the problem and strides are being made with research technologies. Hopefully a cure will be found in the not too distant future.

We will continue to be a NO CONTACT tournament for all competitors. This includes all students from white belt to black belt. The philosophy that is stressed is that CONTROL should be able to be demonstrated by all competitors. Students must wear protective hands, feet, headgear, mouth guards and groin protection in addition for the men.

Download Forms:
2011 ISK_Tournament_Directions
2011 ISK_Tournament_Package

ANY QUESTIONS – PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL.

Kyoshi John E. Hughes
8th Degree Black Belt
(908)852-5855
karatedo@goes.com

Weather Reminder: As we approach the winter season, listen to WRNJ Radio 1510 if the weather is questionable. I will make class cancellations by 4 pm on days when weather conditions may not be safe.

Our annual kick-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was held November 8 to 13. We have kicked 34,690 times and have raised $1065 so far this year, which makes our grand total $14,940 since we started Kick-A-Thons. WELL DONE EVERYONE and get those final forms in.

SEMINARS – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010
LOCATION: FIT HAPPENS
Panther Valley Village Square (mall)
1581 County Road 517 (off exit 19 on Route 80)
Hackettstown, NJ 07840

TIME:1 pm to 3:30 pm (1 hour seminars with a break)

COST: $20.00 for current AI members
$45.00 for non-members, which includes a lifetime membership

MASTER DONALD NASH, 8th Degree Black Belt

Topic: self-defense moves taken for our kata’s.
Bio: I was exposed to Martial Arts in 1964 with a good friend teaching me Judo. I started training in Isshinryu in the late 60′s, received my Sho-Dan on Janurary 22, 1970 from Sensei John Hendrickson.
Opened the Isshinyu Karate Klub at the age of seventeen – 1982 Hosted Master Kichiro Shimabuku Seminar
- 1984 Travel to Okinawa to train with Master Shimabuku and other first generation students – 1988 winner of the IWKA grand champion Kata – 1988 Isshinryu Spirit award from IIKA – 1993 Received Hachi-Dan from Master Don Nagle

MASTER DENNIS HOARE, 8th Degree Black Belt

Topic: The seminar will be an overview of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and how they locate pressure points and hit them. We will demonstrate how nerve strikes and pressure points will aid in making our Isshinryu self defense and fighting more effective. I will do some explanation and then hands on so it is can be retained. I will also try to back the techniques into our basics or kata so they become more personalized to our style. I do not plan on doing any knockouts or anything like that. All should have a good time
Bio: Began Isshinryu Karate training in the Mercer Street Dojo in Jersey City in about 1963 under Sensei Don Nagle. He was Master Nagle’s second in command, was in charge of running the Central Avenue Dojo. The school was officially handed over to Master Hoare in about 1997 and is still operating today attempting to carry on Sensei Nagle’s teachings

DIABETES KICK-A-THON

While we’re all together, let’s to something good for those suffering from diabetes. We’ll kick for 5 minutes to raise money for diabetes research through the “Martial Arts for St. Jude” program. Get sponsors to donate to the cause. They can sponsor you per kick or just donate a fixed amount for your participation.

1. Download a sponsor packet.
2. Find generous friends and family to sponsor you.
3. Bring your completed form and donations the day of the event.

ANY QUESTIONS CALL MY CELL 908-797-0087 – John E. Hughes

Congratulations to the people who earned promotions at our June 19th training sessions at our home.

• Junior Green Belt #1
  • Riley Kamm
• Junior Green Belt #2
  • Arshdeep Singh
• Senior Brown Belt # 3
  • Bridget Driscoll
  • Clairanne Arcaro
• Senior Brown Belt #1
  • Anthony Curcuruto
• Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt)
  • Lee Gugler

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Natalie Montone for completing her first 50 Mile bike ride during the June 13th American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure in Basking Ridge.

Sho Dan, First Degree Black Belt, traditionally is the starting point in a person’s study of a martial art. This seems very strange to many people inside and outside the karate world. The Black belt is thought to be the top of the ranking scales. Growth must go beyond the physical and mental repetition of basics, drills, kata, self -defense, weapons and much more. Growth must become intrinsic and emotional, learning to combine the Body, Mind and Spirit.

Sho Dan is a beginning point, like schooling. Each grade must be earned. Each new experience brings new challenges, stresses and higher levels of learning and understanding. UNDERSTANDING is the key to the puzzle that most karate instructors do not take the time to look at – - because they are more interested in the number of black belts in their schools and the money they make off each promotion. Understanding TAKES TIME, EFFORT, MATURITY AND AGE. Most children (and some adults) cannot understand the responsibility, levels of application and abilities that must be accepted willingly with each promotion (especially with each of the levels of black belt). This is the major reason why from 1979 to today I have not promoted a child to this level.

To begin to grasp this understanding so more may be learned, one needs guidance, friendship, leadership, internal drive, a thick skin, heart and the willingness to know that there is more . . . THE BEGINNER’S MIND. There will not be something new every day or week or even every year. One must be able to keep friendships, loyalties and the duty to the arts separate. In the past 31 years as being a Sensei, I have had students stop training because:

• they thought they had learned all they could
• they thought they had learned all that was necessary
• ego took over the ability to learn and grow.

Do you want to arrive at the first level? Look within and keep a beginner’s mind. Don’t abandon ship. Black Belts are the Ants of the Karate World – - If they truly live life to the fullest. If this is necessary for Sho Dan–what is necessary for higher levels?

DURING THE SUMMER KEEP UP WITH YOUR TRAINING. TAKING TIME OFF GENERALLY SLOWS THE PROGRESS AND MANY PEOPLE RETURN IN SEPTEMBER AND NEED A REVIEW TO GET BACK ON TRACK. WE HAVE A MORNING CLASS THAT IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WEDNESDAY MORNINGS STARTING JULY 7TH. IF INTERESTED SEE KYOSHI.

REMEMBER THE TRAINING SESSIONS AT KYOSHI AND RENSHI HUGHES’ HOME – FRIDAY, August 13th and SATURDAY, August 14th. This overnight camping and training experience is open to all students. Those students, younger than 10, are encouraged to bring an adult for the overnight portion of the event.

You will need:

• A tent (if you wish) (OR make plans to share)
• Sleeping clothes
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Flashlight
• Clothes to change into after the workouts
• Karate uniform
• Toothbrush, insect repellent, etc
• Gym bag to put items in when not being
• Old sneakers & socks – mandatory for the river
• Extra socks – t-shirts – sneakers

LABEL ALL UNIFORMS & GYM BAGS

Parents are welcome to come and watch any portion of the event. Lawn chairs are recommended for the family gathering at the end of the session. We will be setting up tents, etc at 7pm Friday. Organized classes and experiences will be conducted both Friday and Saturday.

We will provide Friday snacks, Saturday breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks and hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as turkey burgers for dinner. All cups, utensils, plates will be provided. Saturday at 3:00 P.M. demonstration and promotion ceremonies for those prepared will be followed by dinner. Please sign up with Kyoshi or Renshi Hughes to bring a cover dish for the dinner. Please put a name on dishes you want returned so we may get them back to you quickly . . . or take them before you leave. The permission slip and fees must be returned by August 10th so we may plan the meals etc for the two days. See Kyoshi for a permission slip.