New Shodans at Shotokan Karate MN

Congratulations to our newest shodans: Henri Hatch and Cosette Hatch! Both students passed their shodan test on March 24, 2021 at the Shotokan Karate MN dojo in Minneapolis. Their many years of dedicated training under Sensei Kotula and Sensei Gina Frances and their persistent determination paid off when they passed their shodan test. Savor the moment and then help others achieve their goal, like your Senseis helped you achieve your goal. Again, congratulations!!

AAKF 2021 Spring Seminar April 17, 2021  

The AAKF Technical Committee’s Saturday, April 17, 2021, 2-hour Zoom seminar begins at 11:00am Central. Click here for more details regarding the Zoom seminar topics, instructors, and dates/times. This is your opportunity to engage with the AAKF organization and fellow karatekas from around the US. Come learn and have fun! A second AAKF Zoom seminar is scheduled for May 15, 2021

AAKF Dan Test – May 15, 2021

As part of the AAKF 2021 spring seminar, the AAKF Technical Committee will be conducting Zoom dan test on May 15, 2021 at 1:00pm CDST. If you are interested in taking a dan exam, contact Art Wong NCR Director at director@ncr-aakf.org no later than April 30, 2021 to start your dan test registration process. Details on the dan fee, form, dojo location where you will perform your dan test, and date/timeline will be provided by Art Wong.

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

COVID-19 – Dojos Can Expand Class Size – April 1, 2021

Minnesota (MN) has been doing a great job in getting more people vaccinated and controlling the spread of COVID-19 virus. Effective March 15, 2021, the state of MN will relax the restrictions for in-person gym and dojo attendance. This is great news for the Traditional Karate North Central Region clubs and students!  Contact your club’s Sensei regarding your dojo’s expanded in-person attendance dates and plans.

Here is an excerpt from the MN Stay Safe Plan:

Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.

* Gym capacity is capped at 50%, maximum capacity remains at 250.

* Machines and people should maintain 6 feet of distance.

* Indoor classes are limited to 25 people, assuming distancing can be observed.

* Outdoor classes are limited to 50 people.

* Masks required

Beginning April 1, gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, or martial arts spaces with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance.

For more information on the MN Stay Safe plan click here

AAKF 2021 Spring Seminar April 17 – July10 (update)

The AAKF Technical Committee has organized a series of four 2-hour Zoom seminars from 11:00am-1:00pm CDST on Saturday starting April 17 to July 10, 2021. Click here for more details regarding the Zoom seminar topics, instructor, and dates/times. This is your opportunity to re-engage with the AAKF organization and fellow karatekas. Come learn and have fun!

AAKF Dan Test – May 15, 2021

As part of the AAKF 2021 spring seminar, the AAKF Technical Committee will be conducting Zoom dan test on May 15, 2021 at 1:00pm CDST. If you are interested in taking a dan exam, contact Art Wong NCR Director at director@ncr-aakf.org no later than April 30, 2021 to start your dan test registration process. Details on the dan fee, form, dojo location where you will perform your dan test, and date/timeline will be provided by Art Wong.

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

AAKF and WTKF Championships Postponed

The 2021 AAKF National Championships and the 2021 WTKF World Championships have been postponed to 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As more details become available, we will let you know. Also, Sensei Trung Le’s Traditional Karate-Do Academy at UMN club has postponed their spring shia to November. As more details become available, we will update the 2021 NCR Upcoming Calendar of Events, see below.

AAKF Annual Membership Renewal – Deadline Extended to March 31, 2021

Your individual AAKF membership expires March 31. If you renew your current membership before March 31, the renewal cost is only $25. After March 31, a new AAKF membership is $35.  Click here to read about AAKF and WTKF membership benefits.

See your club’s sensei for registration instructions, preparing the check and returning the completed form. click here for the AAKF individual registration form.  Your club’s sensei will register your renewal on the AAKF portal and will mail in your fee and form to the AAKF organization.

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

Upcoming Calendar of Events and Registration

• Upcoming events
  • TBD
• NCR 2025 plans
  • January 25, 2025 NCR/SKM winter Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 1, 2025 NCR/SKM kata seminar at SKM. More details to follow.
  • March 29, 2025 NCR/SKM spring Shiai at SKM. More details to follow.
• AAKF upcoming events:
  • 2025 – AAKF National Champtionships and International camp. Madison, WI More details to follow.

• WTKF Events
  • WTKF calendar  – Click here for more upcoming WTKF events.

Click here to view NCR’s photo albums.

More photos here from the U of Mn club photo library.

Dan Examination Schedule

• NCR and AAKF dan exam schedule
  • tbd
• Dan examination testing requirements shodan-sandan – click here
• Dan rank registration required when you pass your dan exam – click here

WTKF New Announcements (new)

The World Traditional Karate-do Federation (WTKF) has announced several new, high-level promotions: “It is with great pleasure to announce the promotion of Dr. Włodzimierz Kwieciński to 9th Dan, Mahmoud Tabassi to 9th Dan, Nelson Carrion to 8th Dan, and Nilton Aurimar De Souza to 8th Dan.” Read more. Congratulations!

Take a moment to read the 2021 new year greeting from WTKF President Dr. Włodzimierz Kwieciński: “Dear WTKF Members: I would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season and a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.” Read more.

 A new book written by Albert Cheah Sensei  “Karate-do: the Art Beyond Techniques”. Beyond the cliché of learning martial arts for fighting, self-defense, or competition, “Karate-do: the Art Beyond Techniques” takes the reader into understanding the etymology of budo, karate, and the significance of how training can be applied in daily routine.  Read more. It is available for purchase on Amazon

 

2021 International Tournament – Poland – (short video)

The WTKF organization is holding their annual youth and adult level 2021 Wratislavia Cup in Poland March 18-21, 2021. For most of us, it is a bit expensive and faraway to travel, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. But the link below has an embedded short video [3:52] from last year’s 2020 Wratislavia Cup (video is located just below the city map). This link allows kids in our region to view a video that highlights kids of their age and rank competing against each other. Enjoy. https://www.wtkfederation.org/poland-international-tournament-of-traditional-karatedo-wratislavia-cup-2021

Shotokan Academy (Brazil)

Beyond Training – Connecting Families and Community

As a member of the AAKF and WTKF organizations, you are automatically connected to the worldwide interest in Shotokan karate with information brought to your door step! Your membership will expand your interest in karate and show you how other countries worldwide have developed and embraced a passion for Shotokan karate.

José Humberto Sensei of Brazil, 7^th Dan, has been involved with Shotokan karate since the 1970s. His dojo is in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Many of our current and former regional competitors and judges, who traveled to the international WTKF championships and seminars, will recognize Humberto Sensei and remember how they enjoyed his Shotokan karate teachings and wisdom.

Karate is more than just learning techniques and achieving black belt status.  Follow the link to the magazine article that reveals how Humberto Sensei’s Shotokan Academy forms “Champions and Citizens of Good”.  Humberto Sensei has applied the philosophical principles inherent in Shotokan Karate to connect family, schools, community, and expand and enhance many social programs in his community. Shotokan Academy 38 years of forming champions and citizens of good.  The article states that “More than 20 thousand people have already been directly benefited by the social projects developed by it (the Shotokan Academy)”.

Humberto Sensei and his organization continue an excellent job in reaching beyond his dojo into the community to help children and families. Follow the link and you will enjoy reading an article from Humberto Sensei written in both Portuguese and English:  Launch of the Karate-Dô Sport and Citizenship Project biennium – 2019/2020.

Thank you to Sensei Le Traditional Karate-Do Academy at UMN  for obtaining the PDF articles.

Dojo Training and COVID-19 (update)

As of January 10, 2021, Minnesota updated the Stay Safe Guidelines. Read more. “Gym capacity remains capped at 25% but maximum capacity increases to 150. Machines and people should maintain 9 feet of distance. Classes increase to 25 people, assuming distancing can be observed. Everyone must be masked.”

Each sensei is keeping his/her students up to date on when the dojo will re-open. Governor Walz has published the December 23, 2020 Minnesota’s guidelines for group training in gyms. It is important that you verify with your sensei the exact re-opening date, training times, and COVID-19 rules. Click here to see the latest update on the MN Stay Safe Plan and restrictions guideline.

As you know, COVID-19 vaccines are now being distributed to priority locations. Visit the MN Department of Health Website to view the latest information on the inoculation schedule, click here.