A Humble Slap to the Face

A slap to the face isn't always the most enjoyable feeling in the world, however everybody needs one every now and again. I only say that because throughout my short time in Okinawa, my world came crumbling down as I realize that I am nothing but a speck in the Martial Art Universe.

And I know what you're thinking, "obviously it's big!"

But for someone who's never gone further than the dojo he's been training in for the last nine years, to witness the consuming mass which took the floor was mind boggling!!! The picture below is just a glimpse.

But the experience... the experience is something that I am glad I will be able to talk about for years to come and will hopefully be able to experience again. Training with Sensei Matayoshi and the other Masters taught me more than I think I could learn in three months; the obvious points and then the points that you would never even consider.

Now I would share but I have to keep quiet... karate secrets and all!

As for the tournement, I am glad to say that I made it through to the second round. However, I did lose against a very skilled opponent from Okinawa who could blow a lot of the others out of the water. But at least I made it through round one!

As for the other's, the one who stuck out the most was Sensei Trevor Sheppard who lost to an Okinawan for a spot in the top eight. Funny enough a lot of people disagree with the judges decision and found it very biased since the winner was from Okinawa like the judges themselves.

BUT!

There were quite a few Okinawan's who believe Sensei Sheppard should have won that round. So it goes to show what really matters. And I am sure he feels the same about sharing the experience rather than winning the competition.

(Sensei Sheppard on the left)

Though, we are now back home and it has been a week since we've come home. What seemed like forever now feels like a blink in my life. I am happy to bring home whatever wisdom I can muster; and it all begins tomorrow as we start our first chapter in our new dojo.

And there shall be more pictures posted eventually as I write about the city of Naha the birthplace of Goju Ryu Karatedo.