USWC 2018

28 January, 2018

On Sunday January 28, Kyokushin competitors from around North America, and some other countries including Japan and Reunion came to Los Angeles California to compete in a high calibre tournament, the U.S Weight Category Championships. The event consisted of 3 parts: the first was kata. The best competitors from around north America come to display their talent. As the competition went on a special guest by the name of Michael Jai White showed up, a pleasant surprise for any fan or competitor. After an amazing display of kata came the children’s kumite (fighting) and the adult kumite preliminary divisions. Children from the ages of 5 to 15 wore gloves, shin pads and headgear while fighters over the age of 15 had no gear. Everyone was placed into a division based on age and weight, to compete against each other in an amazing display of talent and skill. Due to the intense nature of a tournament hearts were pounding and adrenaline was going wild, but once you bow into the ring everything goes away and the only thing you can think about is the match you are about to enter. After all the preliminary rounds was a lunch break, with just enough time to grab lunch and get ready for the main events in the afternoon. Once we returned from a delicious lunch provided for all competitors and volunteers, the audience was treated to a Kyokushin demonstration including impressive board, ice and bat breakings and some basic kihon. Then it was time for the finals. We got to our seats and the competition continued. The children’s final rounds were completed before the adult divisions which reminded us of why we train hard. Many of our Canadian competitors competed in the afternoon and did extremely well. The tournament ended with the awards ceremony where Shihan Stuart, Shihan Gorai and Michael Jai White presented all the awards. After the tournament was a sayonara party in our hotel, where we enjoyed delicious fresh sushi made by the best sushi chef in Los Angeles. Later in the night, Shihan Gorai took the mic and discussed the importance of passing on the Kyokushin way and acknowledging the people who have trained before us. At this time Shihan Gorai presented Shihan Stuart with a surprise cake to celebrate Shihan Stuart’s 50^th year training Kyokushin karate. The sayonara party ended but the Canadians did not, we continued the party in our hotel rooms for an extra few hours until we decided to call it a night and headed back to our room to get a good night’s sleep before our flight home the next morning. I am extremely thankful I was able to participate in this amazing tournament. I am already excited to compete again in the following years!

Osu,

Spencer Gillespie

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