MARTIAL ARTS
BJJ – an overview
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was formed from Kodokan judo ground fighting (newaza) fundamentals that were taught by a number of individuals, including Takeo Yano, Mitsuyo Maeda and Soshihiro Satake.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experiments, practices, and adaptation of judo through Carlos and Helio Gracie (who passed their knowledge on to their extended family) as well as other instructors who were students of Maeda, such as Luiz Franca. BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger, heavier assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground, and then applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent.
BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments. However it can be used in some self- defense situations and does serve its purpose. Sparring (commonly referred to as rolling) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.
Since its inception in 1882, its parent art of judo was separated from older systems of Japanese jujutsu by an important difference that was passed on to Brazilian jiu-jitsu: it is not solely a martial art, but it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people; and ultimately, a way of life.
Oban’s BJJ club is run by Iain (Coogie) Potter who trains under Marcos Nardini. For club info contact Coogie on coogiepots@gmail.com
Kyokushinkai Karate
Caledonia Kyokushin classes teach Kyokushin Karate. Kyokushin is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese Masutatsu Oyama. ‘Kyokushin’ is Japanese for ‘the ultimate truth’. It is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has international appeal and practitioners have over the last 40+ years numbered more than 12 million.
Anyone interested in learning Kyokushin karate should contact Iain Rodger on: 07584 166542 or iain@ikku.co.uk
Shukokai Karate – an Overview
The Argyll Martial Arts classes teach Shukokai Karate. Shukokai is a style of Karate, based on Tani-ha Shitoõ-ryõ, a branch of Shitoõ-ryõ developed by Chõjirõ Tani in the late 1940s, and refined by his students, including Yamada Haruyoshi and Kimura Shigeru.
Chõjirõ Tani was born in 1921 and started his formal karate training under Miyagi Chõjun, who founded the Gojõ-ryõ style, while a student at the Doshisha University in Kyoto.
After a few months, Miyagi Chõjun returned to Okinawa and the founder of Shitõ-ryõ, Kenwa Mabuni took over the teaching. Upon graduating from university, Tani began learning Shuri-te and then Shitõ-ryõ from Mabuni as well.
After many years of training under Mabuni and becoming one of his most senior students, Tani received the certificate of succession from him and became the head of Shitõ-ryõ, enabling him to use the name Tani-ha Shitoryu.
Beginners are always welcome at the Argyll Martial Arts classes and if you are interested please contact Kenny Gray on 07884 183905 or 01838 200419 or Flo McBurnie on 07765 931902
Kickboxing – an overview
The Senshi Do kickboxing classes teach (in addition to fitness and self- defence) K-1 style kickboxing. K-1’s predecessor Seidokaikan Karate was formed in 1980 by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a former Kyokushin karate practitioner who had formed his own organisation to help promote the best stand-up martial artists.
Seidokaikan arranged several successful challenge events against other martial arts organisations, originally using rules based on the Kyokushin Knockdown karate rules, but gradually adapting and changing closer to kickboxing rules.
In 1993, Mr. Ishii founded the K-1 organisation exclusively as a kickboxing organization, closely cooperating with, but independent from Seidokaikan.
Beginners are welcome at the Oban club and anyone looking for more details should contact Wullie Rodger on senshidokb@ gmail.com or 07588 513618.