NACKC Archives - North American Karate Federation

Pics: First Tufts University Practice of the Fall Semester

NAKFadmin — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:27:08 +0000

Looks like it was a great first workout for the Tufts University NACKC club tonight, with Sensei Jordan Berry back for another great year! Keep at it!

The post Pics: First Tufts University Practice of the Fall Semester appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Remembering the Tufts Club: 1967-1969

NAKFadmin — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:20:29 +0000

We got a great comment on one of our YouTube videos recently and with permission of the author, Martha Grant, we thought we’d share it and a selection of the subsequent email exchange with everyone! The comment was on the video “Shotokan Karate Master Kazumi Tabata Early Footage Partner Work and Kicking” https://youtu.be/bJRDTzVhu0g

“I was in the Tufts Karate Club in 1967 – 69 led by Mr. Tabata, Mr. Muoroka [sic: we think “Maruoka”] and Mr. Kowabura. Mr. Kowabura didn’t know what to do with me, the only girl.”

So we immediately messaged her and asked for any stories she might like to share!

“Stories? I may have a few. Mr. Muroaka was the only one of the three sensei who could speak English well, but one day while sparring, he was kicked in the jaw, breaking it. Instead of speaking well he could hardly speak at all with his jaw wired.

Then there was the time when we were sparring and I missed and actually hit him. He (Mr. Muroaka) just bopped me back right on the nose. I learned my lesson!

The last time I saw Mr. Muroaka was at a good-bye party just before he left in a VW bus with the intention of driving to South America looking for diamonds. I’ve always wondered how far he got.

Several of us went to Mr. Tabata’s apartment one evening and drank sake with him. I clearly remember him rolling the windows down on the drive home so that he could yell at all the pretty girls he saw on the street.

I remember the discipline, standing in a kibadachi stance with someone on my shoulders for fifteen minutes. As the only girl in the club I was very proud when I defeated all the boys in a round robin tournament and got to be Captain of the club.

Unfortunately I left Tufts half way through my third year. I tried other karate classes over the years, but never found a sensei as inspirational as Mr. Tabata.”

Martha, thank you so much for sharing your memories. This is one of the reasons we are still here!

The post Remembering the Tufts Club: 1967-1969 appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Carnegie Mellon University Mumon Karate Club Promotion!

NAKFadmin — Mon, 01 May 2023 21:34:31 +0000

The Mumon karate club at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh conducted a kyu test on April 27. Godan Mark Weingarden, Yodan Chuck Moyes and Nidan Doug Gilbert led the test. Congratulations to the following students: Ela Gulsen-3rd Kyu and Alan EsQuenazi -3rd, yu, Dewang Sun-3rd Kyu, Sebastian Garcia-6th Kyu, Brian -8th Kyu!!

The post Carnegie Mellon University Mumon Karate Club Promotion! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Tufts University Karate Club Promotees!

NAKFadmin — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 01:17:35 +0000

Congratulations to the two new yellow belts and their Sensei. Last workout of the semester. See you in the fall!

The post Tufts University Karate Club Promotees! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Tufts University Club: Pics from Practice Feb. 1

NAKFadmin — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:50:41 +0000

Here are a few pics of the club having a great training at Remis Sculpture Court on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Hope to see even more folks there this next Wednesday!

The post Tufts University Club: Pics from Practice Feb. 1 appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Video: NACKC College Karate Tournament, 1988

NAKFadmin — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 01:29:52 +0000

Thanks to BU alum Steve Kemball-Cook for sending along this video of the April 1988 NECKC (now NACKC) college tournament. What schools were there? We think we see BU, Tufts, BC, MIT, WNEC, ULowell, Fitchburg, UMass Dartmouth…who else? Let us know! The tournament was held at Tufts’ Cousens Gym.

Were you there? Have any memories? Leave a comment on the YouTube video!

The post Video: NACKC College Karate Tournament, 1988 appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Trinity Catholic Academy Kids Receive Their Uniforms and Patches!

NAKFadmin — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 22:18:34 +0000

Congratulations to the kids at Trinity Catholic Academy in Southbridge, MA who got their uniforms and NACKC (they’re college bound, after all!) patches the other day. Congratulations as well to Gregory Cumings who taught this free program on behalf of the NAKF/NACKC. The kids look great!

The post Trinity Catholic Academy Kids Receive Their Uniforms and Patches! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Photos and Video: Tufts University Club Looking Good!

NAKFadmin — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 00:48:00 +0000

Coming back enthusiastic after the difficulties of the past couple of years. Here’s a link to the Facebook post where you can see it all:

The post Photos and Video: Tufts University Club Looking Good! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Shotofun After-Action Report

NAKFadmin — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 00:14:04 +0000

NAKF members, including President Greg Cumings, had a great time at the multi-organizational Shotofun event on Saturday, hosted by the Brown University Shotokan Karate Club, and including folks from Salve Regina University, Gorin Dojo, Shodokan Martial Arts and others. The Shotofun event will be held again at a different location, so stay tuned, and sign up for the Northeast Karate Events Calendar at NEKarateEvents.com to be notified!

Thanks to the Brown University Shotokan Club and Sensei Patrick Chen for hosting! Looking forward to the next session!

The post Shotofun After-Action Report appeared first on North American Karate Federation.

Remembering Special Training in the 80’s!

NAKFadmin — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 19:50:03 +0000

Here’s something special for you. Paul Rubacha, who trained at the Syracuse Club back in the 80’s, sends along a few reminiscences along with the most detailed after action report of one of Sensei Tabata’s Special Trainings that we have ever seen! You can read a description of what was done and for how long through the entire weekend’s schedule! Paul was there and literally got the t-shirt (also pictured).

Paul writes (when asked what happened to the Syracuse Club):

“I regret to say that it closed in the early 90’s. It was a very hard decision to make for the club as enrollment declined. I was in my mid twenties at the time.”
“Looking back, I wish I knew then, what I know now, about Sensei Tabata. What a privilege it was to be a student in one of the many satellite schools that he promoted.”
“The video of the “special training” that NACKC posted, brought me back to a time in my life that served as a source of strength that I never knew I had. (That strength brought me through some very trying times in my life!)…”
About the Special Training he details, Paul writes, “The reason for 1100 squat kicks [Instead of “just” 1000. -Ed.] at the end of Sunday. When Sensei announced training was over, everyone cheered and someone ran over and got a drink of water without permission. Sensei called everyone back out on the floor for 100 more! Needless to say no one took a drink after that until his say so. “

Take a look and ask yourself how you’d fare! We have no immediate plans to run Special Trainings again…for now.

As THE organization tasked with carrying on Sensei Tabata’s legacy, we enjoy collecting and sharing these stories. If you have something that you think might be of interest, don’t hesitate to make contact.

Thank you, Paul!

The post Remembering Special Training in the 80’s! appeared first on North American Karate Federation.