World Tournament in August 2006

[sabro]

The United States Karate Alliance has been forced to move its world tournament from New Orleans, Louisiana to Riverside, California in the Summer of 2006. My dojo will be assisting with the arrangements and the operation of the tournament. The tournament is "open" with no necessary qualifying rounds. All styles of Karate, and Chinese soft Kata styles are invited. There are huge trophies for all different age and experience (belt) categories from beginner to black belt. Seminars by several martial arts masters are also held at this time. Competative events include Kata, Kumite, Kobudo Kata, Koshiki, and Chanbara.

I would like to extend this invitation to all practitioners of all styles of Karate and Tae Kwon Do... especially those from outside the United States. If you need a contact to assist with arrangements I am willing to volunteer my services. Bring a team and make a big vacation out of it. Please, come visit California this summer.

 

[DoctorP]

Sabro, I misunderstood your PM...this is a Karate tourny? I don't do Karate anymore...only Kendo now! Wish we could come though!

 

[sabro]

We do have a chanbara event and there are seminars. If you have a group I might be able to arrange for you to do a demonstration. Demura Fumio and his group usually attend.

 

[Reiku]

Well, I'll definately be there.

I'm also going to put the word out to people I know who might be interested--although getting foriegn participants might be difficult. Those I've been able to contact expressed concerns about having to wade through the US's post 9/11 security policies.

I imagine it's a pretty bad time to come to this country for combat-related purposes, particularly if you are carrying weapons...

...I know if I was a foriegner I'd be hesitant:

Customs: And what is your reason for visiting California?

Me: I'm entering a martial arts competition...

Customs: >looking at X-ray of my bag< Is that a sword?

Me: It's for the competition, I was going to give a demonstration and...

Customs: SECURITY!

You can see how this could be a problem.

Fortunately, I won't need to go through customs--and Amtrak security is a joke, rather than a minefield.

 

[sabro]

LOL! I was reminded once by the SRO (School Resource Officer)- from Banning PD- that the weapons that I keep forgetting to take out after practice-- especially the nunchaku- are illegal to carry in California.

 

[Reiku]

Hai, sometimes to amuse myself I visit my martial arts equiptment supplier's website and browse through the list of weapons that cannot be shipped to California becasue they are illegal there.

Caltrops? (Basicly sharp metal jacks designed to injure the feet of a pursuer--purely defensive)

No.

Kwan Dao? (A large bladed weapon capable of cleaving a man in two)

No problem!

Seems they watched some kung-fu movies, and outlawed all the weapons they saw in them--it'd be hillarious if it weren't so stupid.

 

[sabro]

Moved again to Dallas Tx.

The USKA World Tournament is August 3-6 at the Hotel InterContinental Dallas.

 

[Reiku]

Oh, man--me...

...in Texas...

...Me...

...Texas...


...Me...



...Texas...




...I'm really gonna' have to train hard...

...'cuz I can't see any way of this happening that doesn't involve explosions at some point.

Ah well, I'll go--but I think for the sake of public safety I'm going to have to keep my opinionated, articulate, half-mexican self as far away from the local Texans as possible at all times.

Otherwise you might end up hearing about it on the news....

 

[sabro]

I'm a little disappointed. Just remember that half the population of Dallas is Latino. It saves my butt from all kinds of Texan mayhem because the locals figure I'm probabaly a big Mexican and not Japanese.

 

[Reiku]

Honestly, I'm a bit dissapointed too--I was hoping to check out the Mission Inn after the tournament. A freind of mine used to live there and told me alot about it.

I guess I'll just have to stop by on my way back from Dallas.

Ironically enough, my mother's side of the family is from Texas...

...not the mexican half though--my mother's side of the family is dutch.