When: Saturday, December 6, 2003 starts 12:30
Where: YWCA Centre on McGrigor (at Simcoe)
What: Oshawa Wado-Kai Karate Tournament for kids only (ages 7 -16)

There are several Dojo's (training locations) across the GTA representing the Wado-Kai style. In 1982, the Oshawa location was the first to introduce a children's class created by Sensei Jose-Carlos Garcia, a 6th degree black belt and head of the Oshawa Wado-Kai. These classes are for children from 7 to 16. Since then, Sensei Garcia has extended children's classes from the YWCA into Mary Street School, Walter E. Harris School and John Dryden Public School in Whitby. There was such a demand for classes, in 2002 a newly formed one hour "Introductory" class began at the YWCA location for children ages 4 to 7, held Saturday mornings. These classes teach the students the beginning steps towards more advance classes held twice weekly 1&1/2 hrs in duration each at the YWCA and other locations mentioned. Each student begins with a white belt. There are several steps called Kihon Katas (movements) that the children must learn before they can earn their colored belts. Within each Kata, there are 20 movements. The students are required to learn four different Katas (20 movements each) for each belt color. Students begin with a white belt, then orange, green, blue, brown, shodan ho (brown w/black stripe) finally black. In 1982 Oshawa Wado-Kai introduces the striping ranking method for the children white belts as an achievement for each of the four Kihon Katas required. Since then, other Martial Art styles have implemented the stripe ranking system.

A student must be 16 to qualify for their black belt. In 1993 the red belt ranking was introduced (black belt for under 16 years of age) and was given for the first time to a 14 year old student of the Oshawa Wado-Kai.

DEMONSTRATIONS: The tournament on December 6, will begin with demonstrations from the Introductory classes of YWCA and John Dryden (ages 4-7) assisted by helper teachers called Sempais. Sempai Kathryn Kuczkowski, 10 year old green belt and Keith Munro, 10 year old four stripe white belt and led by Sensei Carlos and Sensei Natalie. Kathryn will also demonstrate a Kihon Kata and take-downs. There will also be Kihon Kata demonstrations from 6 &1/2 year old Michael Kuczkowski, four stripe white belt as well he will demonstrate take-down demos with Sensei Natalie Garcia, Shodan-Ho (brown belt w/black stripe). Medals will be presented to all these participants for their hard work. Kathryn & Michael Kuczkowski help their Sensei's each Saturday at the YWCA and Monday at Walter E. Harris introductory classes in addition to their Tuesday and Thursday regular classes. Keith Munro helps at the Saturday introductory YWCA class in addition to his Tuesday and Thursday regular class.

 

THE TOURNAMENT: Children will compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies in Kihon Kata (movements) and Kumite (sparing - defending).

There are 200 kids expected from across the GTA Wado-Kai style only. Sensei Garcia invites a different style club as special guests (evident by their different color GI) At this point I haven't heard who is coming.

SPONSORS: The Oshawa Optimist Club sponsors all the trophies and medals and Music World sponsors prizes to ALL the participants (win or not)

This tournament is completely FREE to spectators and participants. People are asked to bring a non perishable food item for the needy.

It's great fun. It's great exercise for the kids. And they are so cute, they try so hard.

Susan Kuczkowski