Lettera da Minneapolis dell'amico Thomas Maeger del West Bank Karate Club

This summer Minneapolis hosted the American Amatuer Karate Federation
(AAKF) national championships and summer camp. Attendance was good
and the North Central Region (which includes Minnesota & Iowa)
performed very well with Seth Rosenthal form Iowa winning first place
in mens kumite and second place in mens kata. By winning top honors
in both categories Seth Rosenthal will represent the AAKF at teh Pan
American games in South America in October. We are very proud that
one of our karateka from this region will be competing at such as
prestigious level!
This summer also marks first, in regard to the first national
tournament and summer cam held here in Minneapolis without Master
Nishiyama present to instruct and preside over all the activities,
classes and competition. All events ran smoothly, but the the there
was a spirit lacking here as we all missed Master Nishiyama being here
since his passing last fall. There is much discussion and meetings of
the top instructors from each region of the AAKF, but decisions on the
direction of the AAKF for the future is still uncertain.
Here at the West Bank Karate club we are training hard and preparing
for our own celebration as we recognize the 30th anniversary of our
dojo and instruction by Sensei Nina Chemault. Sensei Chenault began
the club in September of 1979 and been the chief instructor since the
very beginning. In teh past few months old faces have been joining
the new as people who have taken time off from training have returned
to join many new people and our club continues to grow and prosper.
We are currently training at our new dojo in Minneapolis, Minnesota
where we have several programs available under the new name of
"Movement Arts Center (http://www.movementartscenter.org/) where
people can train in Karate, Tai Chi, Yoga, Ki Gong and as well as
several youth programs and camps.
Times are changing here and everywhere and what the future holds can
only be guessed at, but in teh mean time we continue to train and
follow the teachings of master Nishiyama and the promotion of Shotokan
Karate.
Tom Meagher
3rd Dan
West Bank Karate Club
Minneapolis Minnesota