Traditional Karate North Central Region Newsletter
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday with your friends and family.
Sensei Robert Fusaro
It has been a little over one year since Sensei Robert Fusaro passed away on June 29, 2019. Please take a moment to reflect on Sensei’s lifetime contribution to the art of Shotokan karate and how he touched your life. His inspiration will keep us strong and his spirit will light the way into the future. Continue his legacy as you continue your training and staying connected with your fellow karatekas.
NCR Dojo Reopened
Shotokan Karate MN (SKMN, former MKA Mpls) reopened their dojo on June 10, 2020. SKMN is following the MN Stay Safe MN COVID-19 guidelines for gyms which require 6′ social distancing and wearing a mask. Below is a photo of the students training at the Mpls dojo. Because of their larger floor space, SKMN can hold about twelve students while complying with the MN guidelines.
Go to your dojo’s website or contact your club’s sensei regarding the latest on your dojo’s new training schedule.
- St. Paul dojo – Sensei Joel Ertl has implemented a new post-COVID-19 training plan. Go to the St. Paul website for details https://mwkarate.com/. Here is the link to the training schedule.
- Mpls dojo – contact Sensei Al Kotula or Gina Wood at ShotokanKarateMN@gmail.com.
- Northfield dojo – contact Sensei Thomas Meagher tmeagher1@icloud.com.
- UofM Club – contact Sensei Trung Le umnsensei@gmail.com
- WTKF – Check their website for any new events coming up.
Future Dan Examination Dates
The following are tentative dan examination dates/locations. Check with your club’s sensei for eligibility as well as dates/times that may change at the last minute.
- NCR Dan exam – Tentative Fall 2020
- AAKF fall seminar – Tentative – Sept 2020
If you are considering a dan rank test in 2020, you should be preparing for your exam as soon as possible and getting feedback from your club’s sensei and sempais. It takes at least 6+ months of constant training both mentally and physically to prepare for a dan exam. For yondan and above dan tests, it will take longer to prepare since you must write a thesis, present your paper, and do a kata with bunkai explanation.
Students testing must read the following documents for specific dan test requirements and eligibility:
Shodan-Nidan– NCR Testing guidelines handbook.
AAKF Technical Qualification Guide – Rank Promotion – requirements for all dan ranks.
For our region, the dan test cost is $100 times the dan rank you are testing for, e.g., $100 x 2nd dan (nidan) test = $200.00.
Dan Rank Registration With AAKF and WTKF Organizations
Once you passed your dan examination, you must register your dan rank with both the AAKF and WTKF organizations. Cost is $150.00 ($50-AAKF/$100-WTKF). Make check payable to AAKF.
Complete both forms: AAKF Dan reg form. WTKF-APPLICATION-FORM.
Mail your check and forms to: MKA – St. Paul Dojo, E. 7th St., St. Paul, MN 55106.
2020 NCR Upcoming Calendar of Events
- NCR upcoming events
- UofM Tournament rescheduled to Sat. Oct 10, 2020 noon-4pm Van Cleave Community center in Mpls, Get directions here. More information.
- Kumite seminar tentative – noon Saturday Sept 12, Mpls dojo
- AAKF/WTKF upcoming events
- AAKF Fall 2020 seminar – Tentative – Sept 2020, Madison, WI. More details to follow.
- WTKF 2021 World Championships – October 2021, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil. More information.
- WTKF calendar – For additional events – seminar, competition,online training
For More Information and Links
- NCR events and newsletter updates
- NCR Facebook site
- Shotokan Karate MN events (former MKA Mpls dojo)
- St. Paul dojo events
- UofM Traditional Karate-do Academy website. Facebook here.
- AAKF website
- AAKF Facebook
- WTKF website
- WTKF Facebook
Traditional Karate North Central Region Subscription
- Subscribe to the NCR newsletter, go to the bottom of the NCR archive website and click “Subscribe to our newsletter“.
- Past Traditional Karate North Central Region newsletters
Art Wong – Traditional Karate North Central Region Director, Godan