Olympic vote for Rugby & Golf and Karate gets a NO!

OLYMPIC VOTE - Rugby, Golf, not Karate

Most of you have heard the sad news:
The IOC voted Golf and Rugby in for possible 2016 inclusion, instead of Karate...

What next?

I have had the prize of Olympic inclusion dangled in front of me as an athlete since 1986!
Now as a coach it is extremely hard to maintain that desire for success in our athletes when we are faced with ridiculous decisions like this one from the IOC.

Is it all over for 2016?

Neither Golf nor Rugby have been confirmed they have only been recommended.
There is a final vote on the 8th of October where the IOC members hear the two "recommended" sports' presentations.
The bottom line is that while Golf and Rugby obviously have an advantage due to the obvious support from IOC President Jacques Rogge, this time it won't be just 14 people in a room voting that can be more easily swayed, but rather a much larger number that will hopefully give us a statistical edge over politics.

Karate could still get voted in for 2016 in October by a majority vote!

A Key factor in the application is that the WKF claims a membership of over 65 million participants worldwide.

So it is now up to the worldwide Karate community to ensure that our sport gets the coverage and hype needed to make it a popular sport for the viewing audience. Snowboarding and BMX worked dilligently to build their profile over the years until they finally achieved IOC selection, nothing is impossible. However the controversial events that happen at every Olympics within the Taekwondo (athlete kicks refereee) and the boxing decisions does make it tough for the WKF to be given an unbiased vote.

Fingers crossed for the 8th of October, however as we learn with our training "success is preparation on purpose". Has the WKF prepared satisfactorily for the bout ahead?

Only time will tell.

Visit our website to keep updated with future developments.

Yours in Karate,

Shihan

BECOME A VIP: A Very Involved Parent of a Karate Student

TOP WAYS TO BE A V.I.P. (Very Involved Parent)

The following is a list of five ways that you, as a Very Involved Parent, can take an active role in your child's journey toward becoming a Black Belt Champion in Martial Arts and in Life!









1. Teach your child the importance of being on time for class.
When it comes to regular classes, my Sensei always reminded us "It's better to be 15 minutes early than 1 minute late." This helps develop a sense of responsibility, with your child getting ready for their Karate lessons.
Help them get in the habit of getting into uniform early, and checking to see that they have all the required items. Such as their belt, targets, weapons or required safety equipment.
When a child comes late for class they experience a negative feeling for the start of their class. They miss out on the meditation and if allowed to happen over time, tardiness will develop into a habit that shows up in every area of their life.

2. Stop in to Watch and Observe your Child in Class.
We are all busy people and it may be tempting to drop your child off to class while you run an errand or two. While this may be acceptable once in a while, it should not become the norm. Your child will perform better knowing you are watching, especially if you are really watching.
Children like to please their parents; staying to watch your child will develop a sense of pride and accountability for their efforts in class.
By the way, PRIDE stands for...Personal Responsibility In Daily Effort!

Maybe you can let your child be the instructor, and you can be the student for a while. Then switch the roles. If children look at practice as something that's fun to do, they will do it without you having to push. Kids like accessories; invest in some hand targets and kicking shields that will allow your child to really get into their practice sessions with you at home. (Any equipment you see us use on the floor can be ordered and purchased at our pro-shop.) Plus it will help save your pillows and furniture in your home.

Follow the Praise - Correct - Praise formula when working with your child.

Getting too critical of your child's technique or detail will only put up a wall between you and them. Understand that with time and training, your child's skill will develop to unbelievable levels.
When correcting, be what we call a Good-Finder. That is to point out all the good you see and sandwich it around any corrections you may suggest.

You know the old saying, "You catch a lot more bees with honey than you do with vinegar!" Your child will respond to the positive praise much better than they ever will by pointing out all the areas they need to work on. Spoon-feed the corrections and smother them with praise and you'll see your child's confidence and skills grow at an amazing pace!

These are just a few ways be a V.I.P. even if becoming a student yourself is not right for you.
Remember to Team Up with us and never Give Up when it comes to keeping your child on track with their martial arts training and progress. Don't forget to visit www.karatebudokan.com for all of our latest news and advice!

Yours in Karate,

Shihan