Group shot

Shotokan Karate Institute - Summer Camp 2012

www.shotokan.com

My sensei, Hanshi M.A. Sharifi.

Taken at the old dojo of the Shotokan Karate Institute.

Winning wazaris to take gold at the recent tournament.

First match:

Second Match:

Good timing on the second gyaku-zuki although his heel came off the ground. His technique is getting very strong.

Went to the tournament today. The S.K.I. team did very well and brought home nine medals. I did not place in kata, and was disqualified in kumite for knocking my opponent out with a mawashi-geri. I had never knocked a person out before, and honestly I was ashamed at myself for lack of control. However, it happened very naturally and it was an odd experience to say the least.

Francis working with my brother on Nijushiho

The Dojo Kun lays the rules for karate-ka to abide by. But are the principles of the Dojo Kun unique to karate? I wrote a post pondering this subject :

karatenisentenashi.tumblr.com/post/17225882283/

Fliers for a few of Hanshi Sharifi’s seminars.

The seminar with Master Nishiyama would have been his last at our dojo. It was unfortunately canceled, and he passed away on November 7th, 2008.

Hanshi Sharifi and some of his top students. In the top right picture (left to right): David Ebrahemi, Sensei Madjid Shamsahmar, and Sensei Gholam Shirpanjeh.

Senpai Mehran, 1980

Tournament years ago. The disk between the bones in my arm slipped out while blocking gedan-bari.

I Love Karate

Tekki Shodan. I’m trying to figure out how old I was in this pic…..

From left to right: Kyoshi Rick Llewellyn, Hanshi Vincent Cruz, and Hanshi M.A. Sharifi.

This picture was taken at the dojo on the day of a suprise visit from Hanshi Cruz, along with Kyoshi Llewellyn and a handful of his top students. Hanshi Cruz presented Sensei with the honorary rank of eighth dan, and the title of “Hanshi”, from the ISKA. Both Hanshi Cruz and Hanshi Sharifi were longtime students of the late Master Hidetaka Nishiyama.

Hanshi Cruz is sixth dan under Master Nishiyama. Hanshi Sharifi received his fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh dans from Master Nishiyama as well.

Hanshi Cruz is the founder of the International San Ten Karate Association (ISKA). Kyoshi Llewelan runs the Shotokan Karate Academy in Benicia, CA, in association with the ISKA.

Shotokan Karate Institute —> www.shotokan.com

International San Ten Karate Association (ISKA) —> http://mariposa.yosemite.net/ISKA/index.htm

Shotokan Karate Academy —> http://www.shotokankarate.net/