2009 Summer Camp Jul 31 - Aug 3, Ashton Creek, BC

Reported by Keegan Wong, Curtis Mason, Tats Nakamura

Mission Accomplished
By Alex Kleschelsky

Summer Camp has always been a unique combination of great fun and hard work. To me Summer Camp of 2009 was special: I had to complete my Nidan test by going through a 20-man Kumite. 

I remember 5 years ago when I had to fight 10 men for my Shodan it seemed like quite a challenge. Now compared to 20 fights, 10 fights are only a warm up. 

Although it is easy to count the fights since we have a short water break after every 5 fights, I couldn’t keep count of them. Most of the time I was on auto-pilot (is that what they call “empty mind”?).  At some point, I asked Sensei Terry how many fights I already did. He shrugged his shoulders: “I don’t know, let me find out”. I honestly thought it was the 7^th or 8^th fight. When he came back, he said, “This one was the thirteenth”. I was so relieved to hear that I already passed 10. After the 15^th fight, I heard people saying, “Alex, 15 fights, you’re doing good”. For a moment, I thought 15 was a good number. Of course it’s not 20, but it’s half way past 10. Then I looked at Sempai Curtis: this 47-year-old man with a broken rib (Curtis broke his rib just a few weeks before the Camp) was still there throwing his injured body onto his opponents’ punches and kicks. How could I give up? 

The final ‘Yame’ felt so good. I won’t deny I was glad it was over. However, the most rewarding part was the feeling of utter satisfaction, the feeling of achievement. It was a moment when one can finally relax and say ‘Mission Accomplished’.  

Later when people congratulated me, they asked how I trained. What can I say? When I came back home from the Camp my wife looked at me surprised,”What? Only two bruises. You have more bruises after your regular class”.  I think this is the best answer. 

On this note, I want to thank my fellow fighters from Vancouver Kyokushin Karate for not going easy on me and for making me sweat a lot. Thank you Sensei Amir, Sempais Michi, Curtis and Kris. Thank you Tsuguo, Tomomi, Greg, Pasha, Peter, Gerald, Will, Ehssan, Jack and many, many others. 

Thank you Sensei Tats for guiding me on the path called Karate Do.  

Special thanks to my first Sensei in Russia Viktor Ushakov and to my first Sensei in Canada Shihan Les Banas.  

In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to all the Senseis and Sempais of IKOK Canada for making every member of the organization feel like a part of a great family. 

Most of all I want to thank Shihans Stuart and Don Corrigal. You are the heart and soul of this organization. We are very lucky to have you as our leaders. 

Sincerely yours in Kyokushin,

Alex Kleschelsky
Vancouver Kyokushin Karate

　

  
Tomomi with Eden (North Richmond Dojo)         Our tents and gazebo

　

Participants from our dojo

     
Shihan Stuart ties Ni-dan belt on Sempais Curtis (left) and Alex (right)

A group photo right after the 20-man kumite

- You can view more photos and write-ups including ones of Sempais Alex and Curtis at: http://www.kyokushin.ca/events/summer_2009.html