The 2007 Oyama Spirit Marathon began
with sun and blue skies which was lasted most of entire
day. The event was held in Central Park in Burnaby. All
that was required of those of us who came to train was you,
your dogi, a bo if you had one, and lots of spirit. Four
training sessions were planned for this day-long event
organized and coordinated by Sempai Laszlo.
We began the first training session
bright and early at 7 am. Led by Sempai Laszlo, Sempai
Dean, Sensei Merhdad, and myself we started our first
training session with a warm-up and short run through
Central Park. Our run took us around the duck pond in the
park where early-morning park-goers were pleasantly
surprised to see us passing by. Our first training session
was similar to a general class with an emphasis on ido geiko.
Our second training session was led by
Sempai Dean and the focus was fight training. Sempai Dean
is definitely one of our best instructors especially when it
comes to fight training. He showed us simple, yet very
effective techniques and strategies that can be utilized
during kumite in tournaments. We finished off the second
training with a few group games that really tested the speed
of some of the young participants.
We took a well deserved short break for
food and refreshments. Sempai Laszlo happily worked the BBQ
and provided hot dogs for everyone!
Bo training was on the menu for the
third training which was instructed by Sempai Laszlo. He
demonstrated amazing control of the bo and shared his
knowledge of the various techniques that can be applied with
the weapon. With the bo we touched on kata, ido geiko, and
yakusoku kumite – prearranged sparring with a partner.
Our final training of the day focused
on goshin jitsu, self-defense. We practiced variations of
happo no-kuzushi/kawashi with hand techniques, hand and leg
techniques and one with kicks only. We also spent time on
defending against various wrist grabs and lapel grabs. To
end the final training, we were fortunate to have Sempai
Dean’s wife Sherry complete our day with a yoga session. It
was the perfect way to end our day of training together.
After a final group photo, we finished
off the day with more food and refreshments and spent some
time together to talk and socialize. This event was an
excellent opportunity to bring together our dojos to train,
share ideas and help foster relationships with one another.
A very special thank you goes to Sempai
Laszlo for whom this event would not be possible. It is
through Sempai Laszlo’s hard work and dedication that the
Oyama Spirit Marathon was a success. Thank you Sempai
Laszlo!
Thank you to Sensei Merhdad and Sempai
Dean for sharing their knowledge to us throughout the day.
With their instruction, the participants certainly gained
new insights into improving their training.
Also thanks to the students of the
Collingwood Dojo as well as to their family members for
helping put the event together and preparing the food and
refreshments.
Finally thank you to the students who
came out to train and learn together on that Saturday.
The spirit that was demonstrated by
all the instructors and participants all day long was a
pleasure to be a part of. I look forward to next year’s
Oyama Spirit Marathon and highly recommend that everyone
come out, support and participate in this great event.
OSU!
Anthony Evangelista
Vancouver West Dojo
