By Jokokan Honbu
The sun shone from a blue sky after weeks of sad and gray winter weather at Storebæltshallen in Korsør, where the Jokokan association held this year's Christmas training with Jokokan Korsør Karate School as hosts. 81 happy Jokokaners from 7 schools had found their way to this annual association event and to three hours of fun, entertaining and different training.
True to tradition - both in Jokokan and in the rest of the world, Christmas stands for tolerance, helpfulness and "light" hearts. This was emphasized by the fact that all the chief instructors showed up wearing pixie hats – the chief instructor host even disguised as “Rudolf with the red spout” to the great amusement of the participating JokoKidz in particular – and the undersigned included :-).
This year's main theme was once again the traditional "Santa's training and Santa's help", which was clearly reflected in the training, which consisted of Ukemi (fall technique), Jujutsu, Fælles Kihon (walking basis), Fælles kumite (arranged freestyle), pillow training and an Adult/Child Elf competition which the children won after fierce competition. The panel of judges were all the schools' head instructors, who unprompted and impartially performed "waves" followed by a "HO, HO, HOOO" salute each time the JokoKidz finished their performance.
The pad training must also be highlighted, as it was carried out with such enthusiasm and big smiles on the faces that the roof of the hall was about to lift. Perhaps it was an extra carrot that there were 9 of the Jokokanen's daily instructors bravely holding the cushions :-)?.
Normally there is no adult graduation during Christmas training. But the year 2003 has been an absolutely fantastic year for Jokokan, where the number of members has doubled, readers on the website per month has increased to approx. 20,000 from all over the world, and Jokokan has unsolicited and happily received sponsorships for significant amounts to the delight of everyone in the association.
The association board therefore decided that this joy and success should benefit everyone in the association, as everyone has helped to create and contribute to the "new" Jokokan. Therefore, the association sponsored all JokoKidz graduation fees, and held an extraordinary graduation for the nominated adults. The joint Jokokan success must of course be praised and appreciated by all - and it was well received, as the pictures clearly show :-).
The atmosphere and mood were rising throughout the entire 3-hour training event, until the roof was about to lift off the hall. This both among the participants on the floor and the committed spectators, which was also strongly emphasized by spectators, parents and participants after the training. Thank you!
55 Jokokaners continued after the Christmas training to a beautifully hosted Christmas lunch at the local Chinese restaurant, which offered both soup, buffet ala carte and Mongolian barbecue. The atmosphere was fantastic. It was very rewarding, educational and moody to "circulate" among the atmospheric Jokokaners, and have a good chat about what is going on locally and personally. Thank you for the trust and the great feedback..
At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Jokokaners and their families, Jokokan's supporters, sponsors and friends, and all our loyal readers, a very merry Christmas, a thank you for the past year, and a very good and prosperous New Year. Thank you for all the joys and good times you have enriched Jokokan with.
