North American Wado Kai Karate Championships

UPDATE: the event team met last night to confirm we are still holding the event this summer as planned. The 1st bulletin with all the information to be released in a few weeks. Thank you to those people who sent questions in regards to the current virus concerns. Sincerely, Richard Mosdell Event manager

Team Kumite 2019: Big Steve team "Wa" red vs Big Pete team "Doh" blue, getting into it with a rematch after the previous men's heavyweight division final!

2020 medal design!

Team Kumite 2019: Chloe team "Wa" red vs Tomiko team "Doh" blue, awesome performances then great friends afterwards!

It's happening again! Website to be updated by August 31

For the two "Complete Karate Kata-Wadokai" videos made 25yrs ago that are still the official standard, here is the Champ English order page. They used to have an English voice over by Norma on the old English VHS, so that should be an audio option on the DVDs. Simply ask Champ when you order. https://www.karate-dvd.com/product-catego/dvd/kata/wadoryu/

Former 2x Wadokai world kata champion performing in the first round men's individual kata with Seishan at the 1st North American Wadokai Karate Championships 2019.

Group kata demo of Chinto at the 1st North American Wadokai Championships!

For participants asking about the JKF "shitei" kata videos on sale by Champ in Tokyo, here is the English order website. "Dai-Ichi" and "Dai-Ni" both have the official Wadokai kata, Seishan & Chinto for Dai-Ichi, and Kushanku & Niseishi for Dai-Ni. https://www.karate-dvd.com/product-cate//kata/shitei-kata/

Super engaging Takuya Furuhashi Sensei leading Seminar A on Friday!

Team Kumite 2019: Chloé on "Team Wa" (red/aka) had a spirited match against Tomiko on "Team Doh" (blue/aoi)!

Team Japan, individual men's kata, Chinto!

Update: next year’s 2nd North American Wadokai Karate Championships+Seminars is July 31-August 2, 2020! Tentative schedule July 31: all day seminars then 3rd kyu instructors exam... August 1: all day seminars plus after dan exams 1-5 (pm seminar for those not taking an exam) August 2: Championships & Farewell Party! Instructors Round Table discussion to be included again. The dan exam guidelines are going to be upgraded as for junior & adult dan exams, via Wadokai Technical Committee input. Lots of great feedback, including how participants liked completing the seminars & dan exams before the Championships so that everyone could enjoy the event even more! By September 30, next year’s program will be announced!

Wadokai members from different countries making new friends! "This is why we do it!"

Relaxing lunch then drop off at the Vancouver Airport for our 3 guest Jpn instructors, Shimura, Yanagita & Sasaki Sensei’s!

Big thank you to Bob Nash Sensei (7th dan, 2nd kyu) from Guseikai Karate USA for his warm support teaching, translating and facilitating many parts of the event!

Richard Mosdell, Kiyomi Sasaki, Shunsuke Yanagita, Koichi Shimura & Takuya Furuhashi.

Photo request: planning to upload 500+ hi-res photos to a website service that people can download from for free. If you have some awesome photos of the event you wish to share, please email them to [email protected] . Thank you!

Club Team award went to Meikukai Karate Club for most medal points!! #karate #wadokai

3 Sensei on the Vancouver famous locations tour course!

That’s a wrap everyone, the 1st official NA Wadokai Championships are done & wow, what an amazing day!!! Thank you so much to the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers & parents for helping to create such worthwhile event, almost 2 years in the making. I have many pictures to upload yet, but brief for now it seems having the seminars & Dan exams before the Championships helped everyone relax to enjoy the Championships more.... Club champion: Meikukai Karate, Aichi-Ken Japan Junior Female Kata Athlete: Mio Ono Junior Male Kata Athlete: Dominque Julian Team Kumite: Doh side blue with coach Takuya Furuhashi. More to share in the coming days. Yes, we’re planning the same event for next year at the same time at Hollyburn. Thank you to everyone for making it happen. Sincerely, Richard

All athletes, officials, coaches & volunteers get a certificate!!!! Come see me (Richard Mosdell)

Big thanks to everyone for coming together!

1st North American Wadokai Championships has started!! Draws & Schedule are on the registration webpage under Additional Info https://www.trackie.com//1st-north-american-wado-k/30465/... Good luck everyone!

Update: Sandan exam (nidan going to sandan) Pass is 1 (not 4)

August 3, 2019 Results: JKF Wadokai 1st to 5th dan exams & 3rd kyu exam Location: Hollyburn Country Club, West Vancouver, BC, Canada... All exam participants were given a corresponding number. The following participants have passed their exams. Shodan exam (1kyu going to shodan) 5 7 9 14 19 Nidan exam (shodan going to nidan) 1 3 4 5 8 Sandan exam (nidan going to sandan) 1 (not 4) Yondan exam (sandan going to yondan) 1 2 5 7 Godan exam (yondan going to godan) 3 3rd kyu instructor exam 1 4 12 Examination System: Always 5 examiners Each examiner can give a final score of 0, 1 or 2 for per challenger, with 2 being the highest. Highest possible total score per person is 10. 6 is needed for a pass. Only those challengers who pass have their numbers announced. Examiner & individual scores are not announced. End of the official result announcement. (Non-official reminders from Richard only:) Good job to everyone who challenged the exams! It takes courage, and the examiners were proud of everyone who stepping up in front of them. It can on average take up to 3 attempts, just keep ‘smart-training and keep challenging the exam Your karate journey is a process, not an end stop with exams. Think Win or Learn, not Win or Lose (Pass or Fail), as we always reflect more with the second result, and now you have more time to get even better for the next challenge. Your self-worth is not based on your dan rank, it is how you honestly try hard on your journey and how you treat those around you. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Championships tomorrow! Sincerely, R

Thank to everyone for creating such a great training atmosphere today for Seminars C & D! Seminar C: With the participants in 3 groups rotating by rank, C was taught by Wadokai technical committee members Yanagita Sensei, Sasaki Sensei & Shimura Sensei, and their depth of karate knowledge was quite revealing. Dan & instructor exams are still going simply because there are more challengers than expected & the examiners are trying to be careful & take their time to fairly evalu...ate everyone. Plus there is lots of paperwork & some of it handed in has incorrect info so double checking everything is also happening. Seminar D: Huge thank you as well to Furuhashi Sensei for running another amazing lesson! Sunday’s plan 8am everyone available arrive at venue to set-up mats 8:30-9am Official’s kata clinic 8:30-9am Volunteer mtg with Nick 9am Officials & Coaches mtg 9:20am Line-Up for opening ceremony 9:30am Opening Ceremony 12pm Group Kata Demo: goal is to get as many people in a karate gi to perform a huge group Pinan Nidan & then higher belts perform Chinto 3pm Closing Ceremony Draws & schedule to be emailed out tonight. Every division & schedule is plus or minus one hour. Seminar E 3:30-5pm only if championships ends on time 6-8pm Farewell Party, Tap & Barrel Restauant Monday - no plan Thank you again! Exam results soon. See everyone tomorrow!! Richard

1-5 dan exam & 3rd kyu instructor test underway. Taking longer to compensate for many more challengers than expected. Thank you for your patience. All results to be announced after the instructor exam ends plus results to be posted here by challenger number of who passed only. Sincerely Richard

Thank you to everyone for an amazing first day with Seminars A & B!! Great atmosphere, very Wado-like! And wow, today’s seminars were taught by the very animated former Wadokai world kata champion Takuya Furuhashi Sensei with support from the super knowledgeable 7th Bob Nash Sensei! Yanagita, Sasaki & Shimura Sensei arrived safely and we had a lively Wadokai instructor’s roundtable chat, thank you to those who participated. Let’s keep the conversation going over the weekend.... Pictures for dan exam: I got many so Peter is printing them tonight & tomorrow morning. (Sorry, I’m not replying, just busy!!) Championships draws & schedule to be emailed Sat am! Saturday- Seminars C & D, Dan & 3rd Kyu exams Seminar C 9:30am-12pm Yanagita, Sasaki & Shimura Sensei Seminar D 2-5pm Furuhashi Sensei+ Dan exams 1st-5th 1-4:30pm 3rd kyu exam 4:30pm *be ready for early or later start & end times because there are many exam challengers Sunday: Championships, Seminar E & Farewell Party 8:30-9am Wado judging clinic in dojo 8:30-9am Volunteers mtg in gym 9am Coaches/Officials mtg 9:30am Opening Ceremony 12pm Group Demos: Pinan Nidan & Chinto, everyone who knows each kata is welcome to join in! 3pm Closing Ceremony +/- one hour 3:30-5pm Seminar Extra! as long as there is time with Yanagita, Sasaki & Shimura Sensei! 6-8pm Farewell Party, Tap & Barrel Restaurant, Norma can still take more names *each guest can order anything on the menu individually for their personal group & settle up directly with their server Monday - extra seminar to be confirmed 50/50 chance

Seminar A has started!! Thank you to everyone for coming! Furuhashi Sensei teaching basics & kata!!... Seminar A 9:30-12pm Seminar B 2-5pm Round table discussion for instructors 5-6pm (To be confirmed) Saturday Seminar C 9:30-12pm Seminar D 2-5pm More info later!!

Sat Seminar D 2-5pm is still on with Furuhashi Sensei!

NEWS UPDATES Thursday, August 1, 2019 6:30pm Participants have now arrived from all over the world, including New Zealand, Ireland and Japan, for the 1st North American Wadokai Karate Championships+Seminars! New events can also hit speed bumps with some arrangements.... Due to an unforeseen circumstance, Japan instructors Senseis Yanagida, Shimura and Sasaki will now be arriving tomorrow (Friday) afternoon in time to teach the Saturday seminars & run the dan exams. Therefore, for Fridays seminars we are now thrilled to announce that three-time Wadokai world kata champion Takuya Furuhashi Sensei (7th dan, 2nd kyu) is the main instructor! Furuhashi Sensei is one of the most engaging instructors we’ve ever met and everyone is going to learn an amazing amount about Wadoryu, dan exam preparation and performing Wado kata in tournaments! In addition, Furuhashi Sensei has the support of several other JKF Wadokai 6th and 7th dans who should also be able to help you pass any Wado tests! There may also be an extra seminar at no charge on Monday, August 5 with Yanagida sensei, Shimura sensei, and Sasaki sensei from 9:30am. This is still to be confirmed. The JKF Wadokai is a wonderful community and this weekend’s events are going to be jam-packed with knowledge & action! Friday 9:30-12pm Seminar A - Furuhashi Sensei (basics & kata) 2-5pm Seminar B - Furuhashi Sensei (kata+) 5-6pm Keynote Speaker/Roundtable TBC ** to be included in the Sunday Farewell Party, please add your name to the reservation list on seminar wall by Friday 4pm! Saturday 9:30-12pm Seminar C - with Senseis Yanagida, Shimura and Sasaki, with support from Furuhashi Sensei. (dan exam prep + extra) 1-4pm 1-5 dan exams (1hr early) 4:30-5:30pm 3rd kyu instructor exam 2-5pm Seminar D - Furuhashi Sensei (review key points from Seminars A, B,C) Sunday Championships - draws & schedule to be emailed to all participants 24hrs prior 8:30am Volunteer meeting 8:30am Official’s Wado kata review 9:00am Offical’s & Coaches meeting 9:30am Championships Opening Ceremony & start 12-12:15pm DEMOS: group kata to a count! PINAN NIDAN - every athlete welcome to perform on the floor!! CHINTO - every athlete who knows it welcome to perform on the floor! 5pm Championships Closing Ceremony 6-8pm Farewell Party - Tap & Barrel Restaurant - to be included, add name to reservation list on seminar wall on Friday by 4pm! Monday, August 5 9:30am-12pm Senseis Yanagida, Shimura and Sasaki - To be confirmed Sincerely, Richard Mosdell Event manager

The beautiful & huge trophies + medals have arrived! We took out Invitational and put in Open as the event is open to any worldwide JKF Wado-Kai member!!

1-5 dan exam & 3rd Kyiv instructor’s requirements here! https://canadajkfwadokai.org/index.php/dan-requirements/

4th update: registration deadlines extended & dan exam requirements updated! Seminar deadline: Friday, August 4 Championships deadline: Monday, July 29 Registration: www.northamericanwadokai.com 1-5 & 3rd kyu dan exam requirements listed here;... https://canadajkfwadokai.org/index.php/dan-requirements/ See more

Will you also be there at Year 1?? All info; www.northamericanwadokai.com

Registration deadline extended to July 26! 1st North American Wadokai Karate Championships & Seminars, August 2-4 See website for details!... northamericanwadokai.com

Organizing committee has been working hard behind scenes including having sent the Wadokai Japan head office the Japanese translation of the event brochure for all Japanese club instructors. This includes a super easy registration system using the Japanese banking service so Japan clubs can use yen. The buzz right now is around 50 Japanese athletes from different clubs are going to participate, including former Wadokai kata world champion Takuya Furuhashi Sensei & his students!

Japanese title translation! Dai-ikkai: The First Wa-doh-Kai: Wadokai Yubei karate-do: North American karatedo... Senshu-ken: Athlete Championships Taikai: Tournament # # # #karate #wadokai

The JKF Wadokai has announced the 3 senior Japanese Wadokai instructors coming to teach the dynamic seminars plus run dan & instructor exams! New technical committee chair: Shunsuke Yanagida, 8th dan Wadokai & JKF... Kiyomi Sasaki, 8th dan Wadokai Koichi Shimura, 7th dan Wadokai Come join this amazing event this summer in Vancouver, BC! https://www.trackie.com//1st-north-american-wado-k/30465/

Reconfirming the good news!

2 sample medal designs for the Championships! Which style might be better??

Online registration for the North American Wado Kai Championships & Seminars is now live!!! www.TrackieReg.com/northamericanwadokai

Major update for North American Wado Kai Championships in Canada 2019: The Japan JKF Wado Kai head office has just confirmed 3 central technical committee members are coming to this event to teach the 2-day seminars as well as hold 1-5th dan exams and a 3rd kyu instructor exam! This is big news and the local organizers are delighted to receive this awesome support from Tokyo! On March 26 the 3 Japanese instructor's names will be announced. They will be supported by several ov...erseas instructors as well. Please kindly share this event info with your clubs since it offers benefits to karate participants of all levels. Online registration begins February 1. www.northamericanwadokai.com

Update: the Hideho Takagi Sensei Memorial Cup will be presented to the winning club team at the event to honour Takagi Sensei’s memory. Feb 1 info package to be ready.

Tournament package is coming, just waiting for Japan Wadokai reply on how many instructors are coming. All news ready by February 1 for sure!

UPDATE: tournament package and online registration ready by January 11, 2019!

New venue in Vancouver, Canada now confirmed. Tournament package to be ready in November!

Why hold a North American Wado Kai Karate Invitational Championships? In comparison to the JKF Wadokai of Japan holding the annual Wado Kai National Championships in addition to prefectural tournaments, and the numerous multi-national Wado Kai Championships in Europe already, there has been a missing Wado Kai themed event in North America to bring together branch clubs of our style association. Therefore this new event will be an annual 3-year project in the same city on the ...same weekend to offer exciting Wado Kai learning and competition experiences not just for North American branch members to participate in, but for any JKF Wado Kai branch club worldwide. The goal is to elevate the Wado Kai style with seminars, dan exams and a championships that any local club can enthusiastically promote to their dojo members. NEW VENUE IN WEST VANCOUVER, CANADA: HOLLYBURN COUNTRY CLUB! Further information will be updated on the website from October 1, but we are sending a request to the JKF Wado Kai head office for senior instructors to come teach seminars and to run dan, instructor and official’s exams alongside overseas instructors. Online registration to go from February 1 to July 1, 2019. Ideally we hope to see club members & club teams from across North America interact and compete with other club teams from all continents. This new championships is being founded by Richard Mosdell of Kenzen Sports Karate (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada). We will kindly be asking for assistance as officials, instructors and volunteers from our club members and our style associations since we hope the 1st Annual North American Wado Kai Karate Invitational Championships can become a positive and friendly destination event for our JKF Wado Kai tribe in a world expanding with more martial arts. To be added to our mailing list, please email us! [email protected] We look forward to hearing from our community and seeing everyone August 2-4 in Vancouver, Canada! -Richard