Thoughts for the year 2000

For those who were unable to attend the World tournament in December last year I would just say that you missed a good tournament, full of action. Of course there were disappointments, not everybody can win. Being able to represent your country in itself is a fine achievement, so for those who felt a little sad after the tournament I would like to say well done.

Another year has gone by for all of us, young and old time moves on, this is something we all have in common. We are all supposed to have one other thing in common and that is Sosai’s philosophy. We tend to forget what we have learned or even taught? It is easy to tell people what they should do, or how to behave, doing it is another matter. Manners and discipline are just two things that I believe can improve our life style, ” The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.” The first of Sosai’s mottoes. Genuinely courteous, not just acting, there are always people who act in order to further their own ends, for a better job or even grade.

The person who pretends to be something they are not will always be found out, just be yourself do not pretend to be someone or something you are not. I started my comments with the World Tournament, so I will end on the same subject, although not about the World Tournament.

Over the past few years some competitors in tournaments have forgotten their manners, very often you see them jumping and screaming if they have scored a point or even lost. Before the match their team members gather round in a circle and perform some kind of ritual, ending with a big kiai? Is this Kyokushin? I do not think so; stop it before we degrade the name of Kyokushin.