Jordan Tobin and Michi Nagase from our dojo traveled to Montreal to fight at the 5th North American Championships. The event was held as a qualifying tournament to determine several members of the North American team at the upcoming 9th World Tournament. Kancho Matsui, Shihan Gorai, Shihan Stuart and Shihan Andre Gilbert were in attendance and kept their watchful eye on each and every fight.

Jordan fought the veteran fighter, Masashi, from Los Angeles in the 2nd round and lost the match by decision. Jordan came out very strong at the 1st fight but had a difficulty maintaining concentration for his 2nd match against the Japanese. The young brown belt needs to strengthen up his mentality to stay focused all day long. That'll be his biggest homework for a next tournament.

Michi's true goal in Kyokushin at the moment is to win over the superb Dominic Adam whom he lost to two times during the past three years. The spirited Japanese contestant had gone through a strict cardio workout routine for three months in order to achieve the goal at this event. At the final match of the Middleweight division, the two fighters met each other on the mat third time. The first half into the bout looked pretty much even. Then, Dominic shot out the lightening back kick which had knocked out two opponents in the earlier rounds. Michi blocked his mid area but the kick was so powerful that he was pushed out of bounds. Dominic gained strong momentum from it and began charging his opponent.
　

Michi responded well with adroit body punches while Dominic hammered low kicks into the leg. It appeared that Dominic's power brought him a decisive edge over Michi's skillful moves. A score of 4-0 was reached by judges in favor of Dominic Adam letting him secure the title three consecutive years.

The difference between Dominic and Michi is conscious awareness about tournament fighting. It seems that Michi (and most of Kyokushin fighters) takes it as a pure competition while the perspective that Dominic holds is entirely different. Dominic walks up to the ring to take his opponent down as if a samurai warrior determines to kill his challenger. He does not necessarily look for a win by decision. Taking Ippon is his priority. His strong mindset is what makes him a warrior and a true Kyokushin fighter. That must be the key to win over him, and win at the 9th World Tournament for the team Canada.

After the event, a sayonara party was held at a local sports bar with most of the participants in attendance.  It was great to see all the fighters get together and have a good time. Since We began participating in this tournament in 2003, the relationship of the fighters between West and East sides of Canada has significantly developed. In fact, I even had a opportunity to visit Sempai Sylvain's dojo and train with his students on the day after the tournament. We must keep working together and nurture the bonding to be successful as a team at those international events.

Both Jordan and Michi learned a lot of things from this event, and hopefully they will put them into practice for next competition to come. Keep training hard and HARDER! I would like to say thank you to Shihan Andre Gilbert and IKO for letting us be part of the great event. Also, I would like to extend my gratitude to Shihan Stuart for giving us the opportunity to participate in the event. Arigato Gozaimashita! Osu.

Tats Nakamura
Vancouver Kyokushin Karate

At Sempai Sylvain's and Sensei Gi's Dojo in Montreal
with Sempais Sylvain, Dominic, Caroline, Diane and their students.

Tournament Results

Men's Lightweights
1. Yuki Yamashita (Japan)
2. Stephan Beauregard (Montreal)
3. Julio Del Valle (Costa Rica)

Men's Middleweights
1. Dominic Adam (Montreal)
2. Michi Nagase (Vancouver)
3. Koszela Zbigniew (Mississauga)

Men's Heavyweights
1. Masaru Sato (Japan)
2. Victor Potvin (Anjou)
3. Jonathan Aumont (Montreal)

Men's Super Heavyweights
1. Marek Kosowski (Chicago)
2. Michael Martinez (New York)
3. Joe Johnson (Edmonton)

- Official results of all divisions will be posted at the organizer's web site www.kyokushincanada.org
- More photos can be viewed at www.kyokushin.ca