2025 leftover thoughts...

And just like that, the year is coming to an end triggering the annual, unwanted 2025 leftovers of my thoughts…. Apologies in advance.

Promoting Okinawa Karate through the next world tournament?!?

Recently, some Okinawan instructors have been touring the US to promote next year’s 3rd World Okinawa: Demonstration & Tournament. Honestly… whyyyyyyyyy? Only competitors aged 6 to 13 can enter, and the demonstration section will statistically speaking, feature a parade of overweight foreigners, and a huge number of karateka flown in from India, enthusiastically windmilling their national flag in every direction. Does anyone genuinely believe Okinawan karate or culture is being preserved or promoted through this circus? Or is it just branding, tourism, and self-congratulation dressed up as tradition?

Travel the world to promote a kiddies tournament - hmmmm

Let’s talk signage

Go to a basketball court - do you see a framed sign that simply says “Basketball”?

Go to a tennis court - does it proudly hang a sign saying “Tennis”? Of course not. So why do foreigners insist on hanging signs in their dojo that just say “Karate”, as if the walls might forget what’s happening inside? This is peak gaijin brain damage. Stop it, stop it now! (This applies to you too Sue - hope you’re reading haha)

"Look at me - I have 2 signs that say 'KARATE', just in case I forget what I think I'm doing"

Is one year not enough time to get at least one stance correct?

If not, how long do we need…two years? Five? A decade? In all seriousness, if after a full year someone still can’t work out where their feet go, should we really keep pretending there’s hope? At some point it stops being “learning” and becomes a very committed misunderstanding.

Returning things to where they came from

Hojo undo gear. Chairs. Your mum’s hot friend. Anything your hands made contact with. Why does putting it back feel like an advanced kata? At home, do you leave every switch on and just hope for the best?

More meaningful than the dojo kun!

The future of Okinawan Karate

Can Okinawan karate realistically be preserved if competition is the main thing attracting kids? If there were no competitions, would no kids train at all? Or would it simply mean the dojo fills up with more pensioners who are simply trying to avoid their partners they long fell out of love with? The future looks grim!

100% polyester shirts 

Why does this synthetic abomination exist? The Okinawans seem to love wearing them during summer training, but at our year-end Christmas party the other day, every Jim, Bob, and Harry were sweating like a spit roast. Performance fabric my itchy buttock!

Ok some positive notes (yes, it happens):

Three Brains, One Thought

This year, the three of us didn’t train together much. But when we did, and student corrections were handed out, they were always consistent. Same points, same feedback, basically same shit and no mixed messages. Almost suspiciously aligned like we actually know what we’re doing. Definitely something to be proud of. Well done gents!

Karate Bonds: From bowing to burying

Can you imagine meeting someone barely two years ago, and then somehow ending up bowing together in the dojo, barrowing absurdly heavy granite tables and benches onto a ute, and finally burying your fur baby next to their home dojo? Yeah, neither can I. Those granite slabs weren’t moving themselves. Impossible by myself, impossible without the right ute, and absolutely impossible without someone equally stupid enough to help on their workday. Training does strange things to people. Bonds get tight, lines get blurry, and suddenly major life events are happening because you wear gis with the same gold badge. Thanks, matey…. genuinely couldn’t have done any of it alone.

Super Heavy lifting.............

... just so these fat bastards could relax under the sun.

The Okinawa Itch that never goes away

It’s genuinely great seeing our students fired up about heading back to Okinawa in the new year. Keen to train, learn, and soak up everything that beautiful island offers. Strangely enough, I think I’m happier watching them experience it all again than going myself. Which either means I’m evolving… or just getting old.

More positive points? Yeah… Nah. That stops right here. I’m not going to force anything…just like karate, if it has to be forced, you’re probably doing it wrong. So on that note, Merry Christmas everyone!! Stay safe, hydrate well, and unleash a feral “Osssssu Power Baby” whenever you can.