This Is Karate

This is a pretty cool Karate clip, showing mostly Shotokan fighters and a little bit of Kyokushin's hard training. A lot of knockouts here. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCFesU7BU0s

Kyuozo Mifune

Check out this cool clip of Judo Master Kyuozo Mifune

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qerg7l-iwmk&feature=related

Richard Trammell Boxing

Here's an old clip of me in my first pro boxing match back in 1994. It took place in Carrolton GA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WevTwdPMWFE

Keep It Simple

In today's martial arts and fitness worlds, people are always looking for the next best or great thing. We all want somebody else's secrets to make us better. If the Champ does it this way, then I should is the thought. In many cases we can learn from the success of others. What we must remember is that our individual success requires us to travel on our own unique journey. We must apply ourselves and work hard to accomplish our goals. Many people look at the goals attained by others and get frustrated when they have the same right off the bat. They don't see the dues that one has to pay to get to the next level. We always what it right now, or we think we do. I do believe that if you really want something you will get it. Think about things that you didn't get and I'm sure if you take an honest look deep inside, you will find reasons why you didn't get it. Maybe you missed practice, didn't study enough, didn't rehearse your lines, etc. Now look at things you accomplished (not easily) and you will see that you paid the price to get it. Keep it simple folks, just work hard and never give up.

Freddie Roach

Not only is Freddie Roach the trainer of Manny Pacquaio, but he was also a rough and tough boxer. Check out boxing's most famous trainer as young fighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziK1N8uTLas

Judd Reid Completes The Hyakunin Kumite

Congrats to Judd Reid for completing the 100 man Kumite. Here's a clip of bout 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfulWPY3n1E&feature=related

Karate Champion Claibourne Henry

Last month I had the pleasure of watching this guy fight at the Annual Yoshukai Karate Superfights in Oxford Alabama. In the finals he defeated one of my guys. His knock down karate skills were very high. He is a World Kanreikai Karate Champion. Here's a great clip of Mr. Henry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwocuAI0UPY

How Bad Do You Want It

Here's is an inspirational video showing a man pursuing a dream to be a boxer. Spending many years in boxing gyms, I've seen folks from all walks of life work to attain a goal. I've seen guys work construction all day and come in and train for a chance at fighting. This desire is not the same as just wanting to fight for money or fame. Sure we all want to be comfortable, but the desire to fight goes beyond material things. You fight in your chosen sport because you have to. This will motivate you to achieve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i3g-RvC-iA&feature=related

The Greatest!!

Whether Muhammad Ali was the greatest or not is arguable, but it can't be denied that he is all of sports most entertaining athletes. Check out this highlight of "The Greatest".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L8PygvhPYg&feature=related

Jesse Cowell Highlight

Came across a pretty cool highlight video of Jesse Cowell. Jesse is a former bare knuckle fighter under World Oyama Karate. Very good kicker. Check him out. He now works in the film industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhjV6MXKoTw

America's and One of the World's Best Tae Kwon Do fighters

Steven Lopez is the most accomplished Tae Kwon Do player in the US. Here's a cool highlight video of the champ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekpleYP17n4&feature=related

Shidokan Karate's Judo Players

At Shidokan Atlanta we learn all that we can in the world of combat martial arts. Along with Karate, Kickboxing, we include Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Here is some of our guys competing in Judo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhpHBGZBEhc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vwYLhdT-4&feature=related

A Throw Back to the 80s

The PKA was the big item back in the 80s. ESPN Kick of the 80s featured top fighters like Brad Hefton, Jerry Rhome, Rick Roufus, Dennis Alexio and Jean Yves Theriault. American Kickboxing (above the waist kicking) as the premier sport in Martial Arts. Here's a cool highlight clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3oSQkq5OLA&feature=related

Judd Reid

Came accross an interesting Karate story about Karate Champion Judd Reid. I'd seen footage of him fighting in the World Kumite Organizations annual show. He is getting ready to do the 100 man kumite this month. I also saw some footage of him as a teenager pursuing a dream to go and train in Japan for 3 years as a live in student. You see will see in these clips, the present and the past and see a process of following a dream to be the best that one can be.

In competition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8xvDKitg9k
As a youth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJjUqwsYHrQ
Preparing for the 100 man kumite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGedfB1vO4&feature=related

Traditional Martial Arts Don't Work

Before you get mad (those who are traditionalists) and curse at me, let me explain. The training methodology of traditional martial arts (kung fu, aikido, etc.) compared to modern martial arts (boxing, wrestling, etc.) is very different. In most traditional karate and tae kwon do schools training is done with a cooperative partner. In a boxing or kickboxing gym, training is done with a noncooperative partner. In aikido, techniques (locks and throws) are drilled with a non-resisting partner. In judo, locks and throws are trained against a resisting partner. Commercial martial arts schools are extremely careful and water down the training for liability reasons and so they don't scare students away. Give me a 10 year black belt from a commercial/traditional school and give me a 10 year Golden Glove boxer and I'll pick the boxer to come out on top in a fight. Why, because the boxer is used to getting hit, trains harder, and competes. Some martial arts think competition is unrealistic, but outside of real fighting it's the only way to test skills against an uncooperative opponent. For those who don't think so, go spar with a kickboxer and try your stuff.

Profight Karate

Here's another sport out of Europe called Profight Karate. This event takes professional martial artists from different organizations (Shidokan, Shindokai, Kyokushin, etc.) and the fighters will fight under a set of rules that will keep the essence of Karate. Check it out.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xfvtwt_pro-fight-karate-finale-lourds-toulon-2010_sport?start=25#from=embediframe

Continuing Education

In the martial arts world, there are constant changes in what's popular. In the 50s there was Judo, in the 60s and 70s Karate, in the 80s Tae Kwon Do and American Kickboxing, in the 90s Muay Thai and NHB, in the 2000s MMA and Reality Defense, and so on. As martial artists we have to evolve our skills and not be limited to one methodology. At the same time, we have to study yesterday's techniques and understand that nothing is really new. Even though I have a traditional beginning, I knew that boxers had the best hands and judo guys have the best throws. Muay thai has clinch fighting with elbows and knees, wrestlers have the best leg attacks, etc. Recognizing these things doesn't mean I don't think other arts are less effective (well, in some areas, yes). I appreciate what all arts have to offer, but I also recognize weaknesses and strengths.  Always have an open mind and learn all that you can. In school, we learn ancient history and modern history. The same is the case in martial arts. If any were a waste of time, then they would have disappeared.

Challenge Yourself

If you compete, especially as a professional, you have to always challenge yourself. Fighters are sometime afraid to fight the top guys in their division. If that's the case, then don't fight. You want to fight the best because your goal should be to be the best. Believe in yourself and fight them now. If you lose, you can evaluate what you did well and didn't do well. If you win, then you know that you are where you want to be. If you get lesser opponents, you will get a false sense of security (not really, because deep down you will know). Step up the plate and swing for the fences.

Old School and New School

I guess I'm getting older and I starting to say the stuff I heard from older guys when I was younger. We've all heard, "They don't make them like the used to" or "You young guys are soft". Of course these aren't true statements, I do have good reason to say them sometimes. As a former world champion and forever gym rat, I see a lot of young fighters wanting to be champions, but, they don't want to pay their dues. We see high level professionals and want to be like them. People don't take into account what those individuals did to get there. I was talking to a buddy of mine and we remember when you could go to any gym, walk in, ask to spar or workout and if you were good and represented yourself well, you were welcome. Now a days, dojos and gyms are full of folks who turn their noses at people from other gyms. I see 20 year olds with less than 10 amateur fights working as instructors and coaches. I see guys with no fight experience of any kind working corners and referring fights. You try to show a new guy how to do a jab and he wants to do the spinning back fist. You show him a low kick and he's trying to do a spinning hook kick. Folks are always asking "When am I testing for my next rank" (in the old days, you'd be waiting longer just for asking). Martial arts are a big business, but there has to be some integrity. It's cool to want to be part of the fight game, but pay your dues man. Walk the walk.

This Is Knockdown Karate

Here's an exciting video of Japanese Bare knuckle or Knockdown Karate. This is a unique form of combat and you will really appreciate it after seeing this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF58_mpVOwU

Yoseikan Budo

Here's something a little different to look at today. This style is called Yoseikan Budo. It combines traditional martial arts with modern combat sports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_363C0eRApo&feature=related