Newsletter from American Amateur Karate Federation

Dear AAKF members and friends,

The 2007 AAKF Southern California Winter Training, consecutive 6-day early morning training, finished successfully January 13, 2007. This year we had a chance to study techniques of body shifting in addition to basics.

At the end of the the training, Nishiyama sensei spoke about "kokki". In Japanese, "kokki" literally means "challenge and overcome self." In a regular sense, it is understood as the importance of self-control, and also is one of many values of Budo. The winter training is a part of Japanese Budo tradition to enhance the skills and spirit of "kokki." As starting a new year, it gives an opportunity to refresh the practitioners' enthusiasm and aspiration.

The members who attended this year’s training were:

  1. Ty Aponte,
  2. Assaf Dekel (Israel),
  3. Robert Dobes,
  4. Taichiro Kaijima (Japan),
  5. Kamil Kroczewski (Poland),
  6. Daizo Matsumoto (Japan),
  7. Satsuki Nakamura (Japan), 
  8. Avi Rokah (Israel),
  9. Nicolas Salcedo,
  10. Reuven Sharf (Israel),
  11. Lisa Silver,
  12. Ron Vance,
  13. Susan Vance,
  14. Michael Weiner,
  15. Luc Mayrand,
  16. Thomas Paolucci,
  17. Robert Sharon,
  18. Michael Elias,
  19. Baruch Zohar,
  20. Tom Scott,
  21. Cloe Jazwinski,
  22. Peter Grondahl, 
  23. Paul Dehaven,
  24. Tony Sopys,
  25. David Holland, 
  26. Robert Wang,
  27. Kelly Tysick,
  28. Besty Hough,
  29. Jack Zwierzchaczewski,
  30. Frank McCarroll,
  31. Benjamin Halcewiez,
  32. John Gierach,
  33. Sean Davis.

Some people drove very long distance from Ventura or San Diego, while others came from other states like Texas and Nevada. Among them, 20 people attended the training four days or more and received training certificates.

  Satsuki Nakamura

AAKF Member – Public Affairs