Originally Posted by
Markaso
Mr. Gilbert
I now teach Karate at a major university here in Japan. Most if not all university karate clubs in Japan are considered sports clubs. Yes, you are right as the differences between "sports Karate" and "real Karate" .... But you still need to be an athlete of sorts to be good at it. Yes, Karate is a life long persut and there is soooooo much to find and be taught. I try to teach both the sports side as well as the Budou side ...... Life is Karate and Karate is life.
Nearly an esoteric point. Isnt it the case the ART is taught in a sports environment ? That doesnt make it a sport.
Also, I disagree you have to be an athlete of sorts to be good at it, there are plenty of disabled people who are, because of their condition, not as fit as they might otherwise be (I'm not even considering paralympics type disabled athletes here) but, say downs syndrome. Leaving disabilities aside, I know plenty of people who have been practising the art for many years who are not physical specimens but can still wipe the floor with those who are.
Anyway, I see we are drifting off bunkai and the mods dont like drift, so good to speak to you and good luck with your fabulous opportunity to take coals to Newcastle.
osu
Trevor
Trevor Gilbert
("If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying "Here goes number seventy-one" - Richard M. DeVos)