Belgian Summercamp 2009

Belgian Summercamp 2009

July 2, Shihan Yasuhiro Shichinohe and Sensei Takeshi Miyagi gave a special training in Vosselaar for higher Kyu and Dan-grades from several Dojo's.
The program consisted mainly of Kihon, Ido-Geiko and Kata and gave the participants already a good idea about what to expect at the upcoming Summercamp.
Shihan focused on correct posture & stances and decisive execution of techniques with power and speed.
He also spoke about the importance of correct basics in order to become a good fighter!

July 3, after a visit to the Turnhout Beguinage (UN heritage site) and a stroll in the city we left for the Bloso Sports Centre in Herentals.

At exactly 8 p.m. the first training of the Summercamp was started by Shihan Shichinohe, giving the traditional Ikebekuro-Honbu warming up of Sosai Mas Oyama, followed by Kihon Keiko. Hereafter the candidates for grading were picked out and went to the Dojo's 1 and 2 for the technical part of the grading test. IkKyu and Shodan-applicants went with Shihan Yasuhiro Shichinohe and Shihan Roel Wildeboer, the other Kyu-grades with Sensei Lu Eekhaut and Sensei Stefan Boden. Meanwhile Sensei Miyagi took the rest of the group with Ido-Geiko and ended his session with the Kumite Renraku he teaches at his own Dojo in Okinawa.
Miyagi Sensei stressed the importance of a relaxed yet determined execution of the combinations resulting in a smooth movement of the fighter controlling the bout.
This first training session ended with the Dojo-Kun echoing through the training hall.

July 5, 6.30 a.m. the beautiful sun welcomed us on the grass field for an intensive Kata-training. Once again the traditional warming up given by Shihan Shichinohe waked up all participants that were divided afterwards in 3 groups. Shihan Shichinohe took over 30 Yudansha and went trough the basic Pinan Kata, Yantsu and Garyu. Brown belts practiced under the leadership of Shihan Wildeboer and the others were taught by Sensei Miyagi. After 1,5 hours of very intensive practice under the beautiful sun everyone was tired yet satisfied!

The next training started at 10 a.m. for an in-depth study of some Kyokushin Kata, that were rehearsed over and over again (some of them were practiced 20 times consecutively). Black belts were taken by Sensei Miyagi whilst Sensei Lu Eekhaut and Sensei Koen De Backker took the Kyu grades.
At noon the whole group was left breathless by the teachers and all Karateka looked forwards for a good meal and period of rest.

At 3 p.m. everyone gathered again in the main training hall that in the mean time became very hot because of the extremely good weather outside. In this grueling atmosphere Sensei Miyagi started his famous Kumite training with partner and ended this session with 10 consecutive rounds of tough sparring.

Meanwhile Shihan Shichinohe took the teachers and senior Yudansha for a tough and in-depth rehearsal of Sushi-Ho, the most advanced Kyokushin Kata. Almost one hour and a half was spending on the bit by bit analysis and practice of Sushi-Ho, over and over again.
At 17.15h Shihan Shichinohe called it a day and everyone went to the sports hotel in a wet Dogi soaked by sweat. No doubt the next day would start with a fresh one!

After dinner everyone went to the swimming pool for refreshing. This was necessary whilst the next event would be the Karaoke evening that took everyone in the recreation room to sing and dance until 2 a.m. The ambiance of the party even took another sports group of cyclists, also staying in the Sports hotel, to join us on the dance floor.
The good atmosphere and camaraderie over the boarders of groups and fractions made everyone very happy. Kyokushin is Kyokushin, Osu!

Sunday 5th of July once again at 6.30h the IKO Referee Seminar started for the Brown and Black Belts interested. Sensei Miyagi conducted this activity under the supervision of Shihan Shichinohe.
Shihan Wildeboer took the rest of the group for an intensive running and stamina outdoor training on the running course. Afterwards everyone seemed to be very tired!

The morning session was divided in two sessions. After warming up by Shihan Shichinohe, the first session took the whole group for training with the “mits” by Sensei Miyagi. In the second session Shihan Wildeboer demonstrated once again his Goshin-jitsu, or self-defense based on Kyokushin Karate Kihon. Anyone who did not experience his teaching before was amazed by the power and effectiveness of Shihan Roel’s techniques. It seemed hard for Shihan Roel to find volunteers for his demonstrations, how to act against other martial artists. All of a sudden nobody appeared to train Boxing or Thai-boxing … Luckily Shihan’s students who are familiar with his realistic approach of these horrifying techniques helped Shihan.

In the afternoon the last part of the Summercamp took place, the Kumite-test. Shihan Shichinohe and Sensei Miyagi divided the Kyu and Dan-candidates in different groups each to fight 10 or 5 round of Kumite with a referee. Every time a fresh fighter stood up, so it was really a strong test to overcome.

After these tests were completed a Sake ceremony was conducted for Shihan Roel’s rokudan promotion of last year and the Dojo Kun sounded through the training hall.

The last part of the camp is always the proclamation of the candidates that succeeded in their Dan or Kyu test. Not everyone passed and for them the “Never Give Up Spirit” of Kyokushin will hopefully lead them to a new attempt after extra training in the spirit of Osu!
Then the camp was closed by the delivery of the certificates of participation and the photo sessions.

After the camp about 25 people went to the Sayonara Diner for a last gathering in camaraderie of the big Kyokushin family.
See you all next year for the 7th Edition in Herentals Bloso July 2, 3 & 4 2010!