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Up until I attended the USA Karate Federation National Championships, I was convinced that traditional schools were on the way out. What I learned impressed and astounded me. Even though I had more of a kickboxing school, I competed in kata more than fighting. My instructor Walt Bone instilled a deep appreciation for Japanese and Okinawan kata, even though we were tex - kwon do. I hold that appreciation to this day. I honestly thought good kata was a thing of the past. I don't recognize modern open forms competition as martial arts. I despise it and have never been able to watch an entire "Chat" style form. Open form competitors are often rewarded for gymnastics that wouldn't win them an attendance medal at a gymnastic tournament while it's clear that traditional, sharp martial arts execution is far more of a second thought than a central focus for them. As an all too true example, tell me if you think these dancers would place or win at an open tournament?



Not only would they win, but they would get a standing ovation and most of them are not even martial artists! (on a decidedly anti-traditional statement even these pretty female dancers look fat in a white gi. Still, this easily passes as open forms competition.)

Earlier this month I had the privilege to be a guest at the USA Karate Federation Nationals in Greenville, SC. Even though I'm from Florida, it was steaming hot in Greenville, but that did little to dampen the enthusiasm of this important organization.

Why do I think USA Karate is an important organization? Because they, like other quality traditional organizations are what I call the Stewards of the Museum of Traditional Martial Arts. Fortunately, thanks to their dedication, they take care of a living museum. In other words, they keep the arts alive with hard work and sweat.

At a time when MMA dominates the landscape, these highly dedicated traditional karate instructors and students retain and maintain not only the values and rituals of the arts, but the quality of technique.

While I know that these schools teach traditional values, frankly I think that's the easy part. It's getting kids and teen agers to embrace and practice these difficult forms to a point where they are competing on a national and world level is nothing short of remarkable.

When I walked into the event with my friend Miguel Serrano, I saw these teens competing and I was just floored. I had not been to a traditional event since the Budo Gala in Italy in the mid-1980s. I was so impressed with the lines, the deep sharp stances, the rhythm of the execution and most of all the patience and discipline these kids demonstrated in their kata, I was blown away.

OK, I'm a martial arts geek. I get goose bumps seeing a sharp, snapping, powerful cat-stance knife hand block. Still, you don't have to be a kata nut to recognize these kids are demonstrating some serious skill that only comes from hours and hours of focused work.



The event was big with over 2,000 competitors yet I didn't see nor hear any of the screaming and yelling of protests from parents and instructors that are all too common at an open tournament.

Event promoters Jake Lease and Tommy Hood really did a masterful job. It was great to see them along with many old friends like Tokey Hill, Roger Jarrett, Bill Bly, Derren Myers, Dustin Baldris.

Patrick Hickey and I sat for about 90-minutes watching the kata competition together while analyzing and debating the various versions of the classics. How often do you get a chance to do that? Not enough anymore…

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