KYOKUSHIN, MAS OYAMA and BLACK BELT
by Anthony Evangelista, 1st degree black belt
Essay from the Vancouver Cup 2007 program

As I stood in fudo dachi (ready stance), awaiting my tenth and final fight, I thought to myself, "Osu No Seishin" - Perseverance Under Pressure. It seems so distant to me now that Sunday afternoon on August 5, 2007; the finale of my Shodan Shinsa (Black Belt - Dan test). But the emotions I felt and experienced over the duration of my Dan test from initially submitting my application in January to my 10-man kumite on that Sunday in August still resonates inside me everyday.

Kyokushin translates as "the ultimate truth or the ultimate reality". It is within that simple translation that Kyokushin reveals many aspects of a karateka - practitioner of the martial art that goes beyond just the physical karate training. My journey in Kyokushin began as a child, repeated through my teen years and has continued into adulthood. Through my training I have learned about many characteristics and abilities within me. Beyond just learning to block, punch and kick, Kyokushin develops more intangible skills such as self-confidence, self-awareness, perseverance, and courage. When we train in a Kyokushin dojo, we foster relationships with the instructors who teach and support us and with our fellow students who train alongside us. For me personally, Kyokushin has helped to expose meaningful truths about myself. It has helped shape my identity.

As an organization, Kyokushinkaikan was founded in 1953 by Sosai Masutatsu Oyama. Even though Kyokushinkaikan only formed 54 years ago, Sosai Oyama actually began shaping the art of Kyokushin from his early days as a young boy living in China where he began his own martial arts training. He eventually made his way to Japan and continued his martial arts training. Sosai Oyama studied under such influential karate masters as Gichin Funakoshi (Shotokan) and So Nei Chu (Goju Ryu). He combined many aspects of the various styles and systems he practiced which led him to develop Kyokushin, the world's strongest karate. In the evolution of Kyokushin, Sosai Oyama taught the following:

"The heart of our karate is real fighting.
There can be no proof without real fighting.
Without proof there is no trust.
Without trust there is no respect.
This is a definition in the world of Martial Arts."

To achieve the level of Shodan in Kyokushin is a tremendous accomplishment. Shodan translates as Beginner Belt... and how true that translation speaks to me. I feel like I have come full circle from my early beginnings to achieving my Shodan and I am ready to learn more.

In order to gain the rank of Shodan, the Kyokushin karateka must go through a lengthy testing process which includes submission of a written application, a written exam, a practical exam and a final test, the 10-man kumite. It is the in the final test that the Dan applicant applies their skills by fighting ten fresh opponents one after another. The 10-man kumite is more than just a mere test of physical ability, strength and endurance. It is also a test of spirit, mental strength and will. My own spirit was tested during my 10-man kumite.

In the final training session on the Saturday evening prior to my 10-man, I was performing some roundhouse kicks during a warm-up. Simple and routine movements that I have done for many years, simple until I heard a loud pop and felt a sharp pain in the back of my left leg. My left hamstring gave out on me and I was sidelined for the rest of the evening. I was not able to put my full bodyweight on my leg and I struggled to walk. Up to that point, I had never experienced an injury like the one I received. I was emotionally crushed and did know if this injury had now jeopardized my entire Dan test. I thought about all the time I had dedicated into training for that final weekend. Was it all to end prematurely from that injury? It was a long and stressful rest of the evening. All I could do was hope my leg would improve the next morning. It was not an easy sleep that night.

In the morning, my leg did not improve. I awaited a decision whether or not I would be allowed to fight. Shihan Stuart Corrigal gave me clearance and wrapped my leg with a bandage for support. He reassured me that things would be fine and explained that I would not be able to kick or be kicked by my opponents as a result of my injury. The fights were to begin at 1:00pm.

I remember my emotions building in intensity as one o'clock was fast approaching. In the final hour prior to the final test, I took some time for solace, reflection and meditation. I thought about all my training and preparation that led me to that Sunday. Although physically not 100%, mentally I was ready to give myself to whatever would be the outcome from those ten fights. I told myself, "Just take it one fight at a time... Osu No Seichin." When it was time, I entered the training hall focused and ready.

My first fight set the tone for me and helped settle my nerves. I actually felt good and from there I went into cruise control. Just as I had told myself, "Take it one fight at a time." A few times I got so caught up fighting that I forgot about my leg injury and planted and released off the leg. My hamstring was quick to remind me it was injured by sending sharp painful signals to my brain. But I maintained my composure and kept pressing through each fight... on and on, until the tenth and final one. And there I stood in fudo dachi, telling myself, "Osu No Seishin - Perseverance Under Pressure". I stepped into my fighting stance one more time and... HAJIME - BEGIN! My tenth and final fight... the end which has only led me to the beginning. OSU!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who taught me and with whom I trained with past and present over the years within the IKOK-C. OSU! I also would like to extend a very special thank you to the following people: Sensei Tony Severs (my first instructor), Shihan Stuart Corrigal, Sensei Tats Nakamura and Sempai Katrina Stewart. To each of you thank you for sharing your knowledge with me, supporting me and being very influential in my Kyokushin journey... OSU!