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Post by andyupton on Aug 7, 2015 19:13:01 GMT
There ! I've said it. I now wait to be shouted at by every Karateka in the world ! My favourite Kata is Nijushiho, but not the way Frank does it. At the start of the Kata, the Kokutsu Dachi he gradually lowers himself into is impractical and totally over-exaggerated. As for his "Kokutsu Dachi" - It is NOT Kokutsu Dachi - it is Kiba Dachi with one foot turned to the front. Look at his weight distribution. The same goes for the Kiba Dachi immediately prior to the Tate Shuto Ukes and Yoko Geri Kekomi's. And so on, throughout the Kata. He does these things in every Kata, and it has become the "Normal" and accepted way of performing Kata (in the KUGB anyway) Notice that I am talking about his KATA. Not his Kumite.
No, I am not a Champion at Kata, so please don't start along that route ! I am merely offering my OPINION. Incidentally, I am a 4th Dan student and instructor of Shotokan Karate, having started my Karate journey in 1980.
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Post by gazrichards on Aug 7, 2015 20:57:21 GMT
Here here!!!! I agree with you Andy. The versions be seen on YouTube it looks really rushed and there are incomplete movements to give an impression of speed (a common trick by the current wkf gang it seems). It also doesn't look very strong and again if you compare him to the modern wkf lot (milon, valdesi etc) he lacks their athleticism which tends to make up for their lack of strength (modern competition kata seems to have become more like a gymnastic event than a karate event which is fine in some respects) His kekomi kicks would get most of us a slap on the back of the head if we did them that way in the dojo and to top it all off in one version available on YouTube he doesn't even bow at the start of the kata? ?? And don't get me started on the mini kiai he does every other move!!!!!
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Post by kensei on Aug 13, 2015 19:07:24 GMT
I totally agree with you Andy. While Frank is one hell of a Karate fighter, his Kata leaves me lacking. You should see the spring in the Kata, the build up of opposing forces and while I don't mind his side kicking to much his Kokutsu makes me wince. this is a case of someone that is very very good at fighting not being so good at Kata.
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Post by malk103 on Aug 18, 2015 20:17:47 GMT
I might be so bold as to widen this to include a lot of competition Kata. Long pauses, very slow movements, long Obi, too deep stances, over fast combinations...
When you see someone doing a Kata with feeling - like they are in the fight - you can tell the power is there and the intention is right, when it's done with some of the above things then it looks bad, but unfortunately becomes the norm for competitions.
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Post by garage on Aug 30, 2015 8:18:26 GMT
I think the side kick to the head makes no sense it is done like this because he can easily, instead of a stamping kick which would fit in with the kata.
The noisey breathing seems to be thing in the UK because it is softer in Europe, which always seems odd since it is meant to be from the same instructors in Japan so why the difference?
All the trash talk in the changing rooms, he has never demeaned himself by reacting to it, that is a demonstration of control.
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