Greek People

[Okashira]

Hi all,
post if you are from Greece mentioning the art you are practicing.

I live in Athens and I practice Jodo, Kendo, Seitei Iaido and Owari Yagyu Shinkage Ryu.

[PRehse]

I'm in Greece right now (Ouranoupolis - next to Mount Athos). Went for AIkido training in Thessaloniki Monday night and yesterday visited the Aikido instructor for Kavala. Last year I trained and taught a bit of Aikido in Athens but decided to avoid that city this year.

[Okashira]

Originally posted by PRehse
I'm in Greece right now (Ouranoupolis - next to Mount Athos). Went for AIkido training in Thessaloniki Monday night and yesterday visited the Aikido instructor for Kavala. Last year I trained and taught a bit of Aikido in Athens but decided to avoid that city this year.

Very smart ove to avoid Athens, especially in August since the measures that are being taken for security etc. make it very difficult for us living there.
And last night I heard the story of a fellow kendoka who was arrested for carrying a shinai (!). They released him of course but for "security" reasons they had to take him to the police station and hold him for a couple of hours.:mad:

[PRehse]

Well at least he got a free ride into the city.

Athens is a wonderful city I will of course meet a friend on my way back to Japan at the airport. This year we went to Crete instead and was surprised to hear that tourism is depressed this year. Seems everyone thinks the whole country is packed.

[spartanmachine]

Hey you guys are sooo lucky to be able to check out the Judo, Boxing and wrestling events at the olympic games. How is the Martial arts scene in Greece? Particularly for Judo and the sword arts? Are there places to train in other than in Athens and Thessaloniki?

[Shitoryu Dude]

Leave Athens, go to Crete.

:beer:

[Okashira]

Originally posted by spartanmachine
Hey you guys are sooo lucky to be able to check out the Judo, Boxing and wrestling events at the olympic games. How is the Martial arts scene in Greece? Particularly for Judo and the sword arts? Are there places to train in other than in Athens and Thessaloniki?

The martial arts scene is quite good, especially the last few years.
We have 4 magazines and quite a few federations.

Judo has a long tradition and is quite know since we have an olympic judo team and we had a winner in previous olympic games.

Concerning the sword arts we have the the EOKIN (greek federation for kendo iaido naginata) which has 14 dojos allover Greece.
Eishin ryu and muso shiden ryu are being practiced, and there is one dojo where kashima ryu is being practice (I haven't seen it my self, but a friend of mine goes there), and in our dojo Shinkage ryu is being practiced.

For attending practice outside of athens or thessaloniki,
EOKIN has dojos in Volos, Kavala, Ksylokastro, Drama, Lamia

For Judo I can't tell but if you want me to check let me know.

Now, I'll list in short some of the other martial arts practiced in Greece:jujutsu,kickboxing,aikido,tai chi, wu shu, ninjutsu, boxing,karate(several systems)
, tae kwon do, hapkido,tang soo do, karate,Hwal Moo Do, BJJ,Kung FU (several systems),capoeira.

There are bound to be more but that's all that comes to mind.

[PRehse]

The Aikido I've seen was half decent the Iaido looked good also.

Harvey - Crete is exactly where we went. First but not the last time. Fantastic hospitality. We rented a traditional Greek house in a mountain village for a few days. Very very nice.

[Shitoryu Dude]

I thought Crete was just fantastic - next time I visit Greece a longer stay in Crete in on the schedule. I found Athens to be, well (no good way to say this), aside from the ruins, an armpit. Dirty, graffiti everywhere, crowded, stray dogs everywhere, everything looked broken......basically everything I had been warned it was.

Advice to tourists in Greece: do Athens in one day and then move on. Other places are much more pleasant and relaxing and are still loaded with mind-blowing historical treasures and sights.

:beer:

[Paul Kerr]

The Greek islands are wonderful. I spent a summer there during my university years, hopping around most of them. Paros and Naxos were my favorites, absolutely gorgeous.

[spartanmachine]

Yeah that's great advice Harvey, the islands are definetely where it's at. Paros, Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu (Kerkira) are the places to go. I'm sure there are major improvements to Athens after the Olympic games but basically land there pass through and go straight to the islands.

Thanks for the info Niko. Do you know who teaches BJJ and where the Academies are? Also where are the top Judo and Kickboxing places?

[Soulend]

I've been to both Rhodes and Corfu a number of times. Bit touristy, but I had a great time. Greece has the most beautiful beaches and water (so blue!) I've seen anywhere.

[spartanmachine]

Ok, that's it then. I vote we throw a big e-budo training conference/party on a Greek isle. List your preferences and we'll start making arrangements. ;)

[Exorcist_Fist]

((No offense guys)), but go to Croatia. It's gorgeous there. Same beautiful beaches and cool islands, nice people. I was there during the war, and it was still awesome.

[Shitoryu Dude]

I vote for Santorini.

[SKalogre]

Originally posted by Okashira


Concerning the sword arts we have the the EOKIN (greek federation for kendo iaido naginata) which has 14 dojos allover Greece.
Eishin ryu and muso shiden ryu are being practiced, and there is one dojo where kashima ryu is being practice (I haven't seen it my self, but a friend of mine goes there), and in our dojo Shinkage ryu is being practiced.

For attending practice outside of athens or thessaloniki,
EOKIN has dojos in Volos, Kavala, Ksylokastro, Drama, Lamia


Niko,

Do you know if the EOKIN is also "responsible" for any dojo in Cyprus? I'd love to continue kendo (and hopefully iaido) when I eventually return home...

[costas]

Im training Goju ryu, unforntionly not in greece but in Sweden, but im greek so i hope it counts :)
Im going to thessaloniki this summer and then to athens to watch the olympics.

Does anyone know anything about a Goju ryu in athens or thessaloniki?


take care
costas

[Okashira]

About kendo in Cyprus, I don't think that EOKIN is responsible for Cyprus and I don't personally know any dojo there practicing Kendo, but I'll ask my sensei at Kendo and will inform.

On Goju ryu:
There is a Shihan that teaches goju ryu in Thessaloniki (who was a pupil of Gogen Yamaguchi according to the magazine add).
I can give you the address and telephone if you want (send me a message).

For kickboxing:
There is a place where Mixalis Zabidis trains (he is some sort of world champion but I don't really follow KB).
The link is the following
Another one is a kickboxing academy in Korydallos,Athens.
There are alot of KB places to train because it's popular ,but I really can't say which ones are the top ones.


Concerning the BJJ, I know there are 2 trainers but I can't find any info on them. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Finally for Judo, here's the url for the Greek Judo Federation :
Greek Judo Federation (http://www.sport.gov.gr/3/30q/g30q1.html) www.ringside.gr (http://www.ringside.gr)

[PRehse]

Originally posted by Okashira
For kickboxing:
There is a place where Mixalis Zabidis trains (he is some sort of world champion but I don't really follow KB).
That probably is in Kavala - apparently the Aikido group will shortly move into the same place. The name of the guy wasn't mentioned but his world champion status was.

[Okashira]

There is a dojo that I found information on:
Dimitris Gletzakos is the trainer,
the dojo is found in the corner of Trapezoudos street and Meidias street, in Kallithea (Kallithea is a suberb of Athens).
From what I heard it will be open during August.

[spartanmachine]

Thanks for all the Info, Niko. Mike Zambidis is a world class kickboxer. I'd love to see more of his fights, too bad very little is available on video.
I'll probably be coming to Greece Summer 2005, and I want to visit as many BJJ, Judo, Kickboxing and Kendo places that are close to where I'll be.

[Okashira]

I also found this club:

Adress: galatsiou 81 dorieon 6 galatsi
Tel:2102929890
They teach the following:
kickboxing BJJ Thai Boxing


Fight Club (http://www.fightclubgalatsi.gr/main.htm)

[Sillal]

Someone mentioned a ninjutsu club in Greece? My wife is Greek and we go over from time to time, would be nice to get some training while I'm over. Anyone have info. on this?

[Okashira]

There are several Bujinkan dojos in Athens (and one in Thessaloniki).
You can find their webpages in winjutsu.com

I can recommend you the following, in which I have trained for three years:
http://www.bda-ninpo.com

There was also Genbukan in Greece but it has stopped, it's been 2 years I think.

[Okashira]

...and finally this:

http://www.brazilianjiujitsu.gr/

[spartanmachine]

Thanks again for all the info Niko, hope you're enjoying the Olympics.
Yiasou file.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Shitoryu Dude
I vote for Santorini.
Damn! Harvey suggested Santorini before I did!
Nikolaos: If you're Greek, why is your signature block in Latin? :D

[Ramirez]

Hi Nikolaos, do you have any idea on why are the stands so empty at the games so far? I have been watching the games off and on - mostly swimming, boxing and gymnastics right now - and the crowds look kind of thin.

Athens is a beautiful city from what I can see.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ramirez
Hi Nikolaos, do you have any idea on why are the stands so empty at the games so far? I have been watching the games off and on - mostly swimming, boxing and gymnastics right now - and the crowds look kind of thin.
From today's Guardian: (www.guardian.co.jp)

Cut-price tickets? You've got to be kidding
Despite deserted venues, every effort to beg, blag or buy a seat came to nothing
Lawrence Donegan
Tuesday August 17, 2004
---
Tumbleweed blowing across the car parks, under-worked staff in the box offices and empty seats in the stands. Welcome to Athens 2004.
"We will not be giving tickets away, and we will not be offering discounts. To do so would be unfair to those who have paid full price," an Olympic games spokesman, Michael Zacharatos, said yesterday, denying there were plans to, in a phrase used most commonly by failed theatre impresarios, "paper the house".
Mr Zacharatos's sentiments will have been welcomed by anyone who spent €60 (£40) to watch the likes of China play Spain at basketball, but with 5.3m tickets available and only 2.9m sold by yesterday morning it seemed a safe bet there were a few spares to be had. The question was where to find them, though surely no-one was better placed to help out than the woman who invited the world to come celebrate the Olympics in the place they were born, the mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyannis.
"Excuse me?" a spokeswoman in the mayor's office said.
We were wondering if the mayor had any tickets she didn't need? Something in the front row for the women's weightlifting would be great, because Britain's Michaela Breeze was in with a real medal chance.
"Don't be silly. This is the mayor's office. We don't have any tickets for you. That would be ridiculous."
So much for the Olympic spirit. Undeterred, the Guardian spent the rest of the day seeking out the great, the good and anyone else we could find, asking them if they could help.

The British minister
The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, has been ubiquitous around Athens over the last week; shaking hands with athletes, talking up London 2012, meeting the movers and shakers of the Olympic world. Surely someone must have slipped her a couple of briefs they didn't need?
"The minister has her own accreditation for events. She has no reason to need any tickets. Why would we have any spare tickets for you or anyone else?" said an aide.

The corporate sponsor
"Of course we've got tickets - what events do you want? We've got basketball, beach volleyball, fencing, gymnastics."
How much?
"Oh, I don't know - how about a nice big mention in your newspaper would be very welcome."
The Guardian doesn't do that sort of thing.
"Well, in that case, I'm sorry we can't help."

The shoemaker
Over at Adidas, the official supplier of Team GB's equipment, the staff have had to buy all their own tickets for the games. "But don't worry, I've got a couple of spares I bought that I can give you," said spokesman Jon Deacon.
Terrific. Are they for Michaela Breeze in the weightlifting?
"Sorry. They're for the hockey," he said. "I bought them and then I realised it was on the same day as Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe race in the swimming. We're going to the pub to watch that on the telly."
Who's playing?
"Holland and somebody. It might be Korea, I don't know. I'll come back to you."

The competitor
Greek lifter Kastritsi Chariklia was competing against the British hopeful in the 58kg division at the Olympic weightlifting hall. Surely she had a few spare tickets?
"Sorry," she sighed, waving across a table crowded with proud, happy Greeks. "I have my family with me today, and even they had to buy their own tickets."
Full price?
"Of course, full price. Can you buy half-price tickets?"
There was only one place to find out.

The box office
As stony-faced as the statues in ancient Athens, as immovable as the Parthenon, the woman behind the box office had clearly never heard about the law of supply and demand.
"Half-price tickets?" she said. "No."
But there's only five minutes to go before the event begins and there's no one here - are you expecting a last-minute rush?
"We do not sell discounted tickets to anyone. If you have a student card maybe. Are you over 65? I don't think so."

The triple gold medallist
Haili Mutla won his third gold medal on Sunday. He is the greatest weightlifter in the world, a legend in Turkey, and he happened to be sitting in a cafe across the street from the weightlifting hall. If anyone could lay his hands on a few spare tickets it was Mutla.
"No," he said through his interpreter.
Surely, the organisers must give a few extra tickets out with their gold medals?
"Go away," he said through an interpreter.
We don't even need two; one will do.
"Leave the guy alone. Can't you see he's drinking his coffee?" said his interpreter.

The non-existent touts
Charlie May, a schoolteacher from Geneva, has travelled the world watching the Olympics; Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney - the four-yearly holiday is even written into his contract. "I've never seen anything like it before. Usually, you turn up at these things and you'll find a bunch of English touts with a handful of tickets. You move, you groove, you make a deal and you're in. This is a bloody desert," he said, looking across the meagre line of people waiting to get in.
"The Guardian doesn't have any spares, does it?" Sorry Charlie.

eBay
At last. It's not tickets for the weightlifting events, but at least its something; two tickets for badminton for sale on eBay; highest bid, £1.05. The Guardian bids £1.24. There's one minute to go. We're in; the highest bidder.
Are there any Brits in the Badminton?
There's 30 seconds left.
What time does it start?
There's 15 seconds to go.
We'd better phone for a taxi.
There's three seconds to go.
Sorry you have been outbid.
Winning bid: £1.46.

Facts and figures
· Athens organisers have sold 2.9 million out of of 5.1 million available tickets.
· If Athens can achieve between 3.1 and 3.4 million sales, it will break even. Organisers were expecting to reach this figure tonight.
· The cost of a ticket to the opening ceremony was up to £636.
· As of Sunday, only eight sessions out of 44 across all events had sold out. These included the US basketball team's shock reverse to Puerto Rico.
· The lowest sales for any event were for the weightlifting Group B finals.
· Between 5,000 and 10,000 UK citizens have bought tickets to events in Athens.

[Okashira]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Damn! Harvey suggested Santorini before I did!
Nikolaos: If you're Greek, why is your signature block in Latin? :D

..because... if it was in greek you wouldn't know what it means:D
besides it wouldn't be a pallindrome any more.

As for the tickets, there are certain sports that are sold out, but certain others are completely unpopular in Greece.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Okashira
..because... if it was in greek you wouldn't know what it means:D
besides it wouldn't be a pallindrome any more.
True about the palindrome, but most people here wouldn't recognise a classical quotation if it bit them on the arse.
Originally posted by Okashira
As for the tickets, there are certain sports that are sold out, but certain others are completely unpopular in Greece.
Did you read the Guardian article above?

[Okashira]

Yes I did (after I posted my reply :D )

It's very easy to understand why people waited until the last minute to buy tickets;
nothing was ready until the last minute.

Also, concerning greeks, we've been through hell for more than 8 years for these olympic games, and there are mixed sentiments concerning them.
There have been many scandals concerning the works that had to be done :mad: :mad:

Anyway, it's fine to watch them on TV for free I guess :o

[Ramirez]

Originally posted by Okashira
Anyway, it's fine to watch them on TV for free I guess :o [/B]

Good one! Shows the intelligence of the Greek people, too smart to get taken in by the propaganda of the Olympics.

[Kimpatsu]

From today's Guardian: (www.guardian.co.uk)
Even sex can't sell the Games
Having confounded the sceptical world and actually built the stadia for the Olympics, the Greeks now cannot be bothered to turn up for the Games.
Four years ago the Australians packed out even the most obscure events, such as Honduras v Finland at baseball. But the 10,000-seat beach volleyball stadium has only enjoyed any real kind of crowd when the Greeks themselves have been competing. And given that beach volleyball is about sex, and sex - I read somewhere - is an international language, this apathy is almost perverse. There is now talk of giving tickets away.
What's the problem? One theory is that the Greeks are scared of terrorism. But everybody knows, from the history of security at Athens airport, that they don't care at all about being blown to pieces. In any case the "too-scared-to-travel" stereotype belongs to the Americans.
I think the truth may be that the Greeks never wanted the Games at all. They are not a sports-loving nation, not like the mad Australians or the perpetually disappointed British. And Greece winning the soccer Euro Cup was just an aberration, like France winning the 1998 World Cup.
No, the Greeks, being a nation of builders, just tendered for the biggest building job going. Having (unusually) completed most of it without leaving all those iron struts sticking from a hundred unfinished second floors, they now have other things to do, such as eating, dancing, fleecing tourists, playing backgammon and reading the poems of Cavafy.

[costas]

You cant blame the greeks for the small amount of visitors!

Blame the media and not the greek media, the only thing the wrote about was, terrorism, that the arenas wasnt ready etc etc.

Nothing positive, like in the EURO 2004. Complaining complaining all the time, that the greeks didnt earn the title cause the didnt play good football. !!!!!!!!..

Im going to Athens on friday to watch the 100m finals and some soccer games

The whole nation stands behind the olympic games!

You know in greece they say.

The grapes the fox cant reach to eat, she calls them rutten grapes.

I mean that the medie from countrys that didnt get the games calls the greek games sucky cause the are jealus.



thats all for me

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by costas
You cant blame the greeks for the small amount of visitors!
Blame the media and not the greek media, the only thing the wrote about was, terrorism, that the arenas wasnt ready etc etc.
There is that.
Originally posted by costas
You know in greece they say.
The grapes the fox cant reach to eat, she calls them rutten grapes.
This is one of Aesop's fables. In English, the phrase is rendered as "sour grapes".

[costas]

thanks
i couldnt translate grapes :)

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by costas
thanks
i couldnt translate grapes :)
They're better eaten, instead, Costas. ;)

[gilda]

hello i am from athens doing kendo and aikido.basically i just got here coz i was living in thessaloniki studying 4 yrs.there i practiced at yudokan dojo,kendo and aikido.
maybe we ve met at some kendo seminar and i dont know your name:) where do you do kendo in athens?

ah and another thing.where do you suggest to do jodo?

[Okashira]

Geia sou Eva,
I train at the Kage Dojo in Agios Dimitrios, where we do Kenodo, Jodo & Iaido. Training starts again next week, if you want the adress and schedule send me a pm.

And remember to sign your posts with your name ;)