Sensei
Brian Herbert, 7th
Dan,
Chief Instructor of Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association, opened the Seminar and
Competition by welcoming both students and spectators to the Annual
International. He then invited Sensei Vince Bull to take over the microphone
as compere and to make the introductions. These included Sensei Steven Van
Hauwermeiren, 6th
Dan,
Sensei Leslie Ottoey, 8th
Dan,
Sensei Ricky Izod, Sensei Chris Shepherd, Sensei Graham Sergeant, Sensei Colin
Humbles, all 5th
Dan.
Sensei Vince then invited Sensei Grant Wakeman, 4th
Dan,
to take the Warm Up. Wearing his very fetching Blue Gi and on a raised
platform so we couldn’t miss him, he donned the headset and enthusiastically
took us through a series of drills encompassing kicks and punches and more so
we were warmed up and loosened up for the seminars to come. Our gratitude for
Sensei Grant’s routine was even greater when he didn’t make us do 100 Press
Ups, 100 Crunches and more that usually form the Conditioning enjoyed in club
training. It also meant we had sufficient energy for the morning seminars and
the afternoon’s Competition.
Onto Black
Belt 2 mat I joined Sensei Trevor Wickett and Sensei Mick Morrison and espied,
amongst many others, Sensei Steph Mindel training with Sensei David Tedora,
Sensei Rick Alder, 4th
Dan –
an imposing sight – training with anyone close to him. The virtue of the
seminar work is to enthuse the student and invite his or her Imagination to
take flight while trying to emulate the techniques shown by the many Sensei.
This also prompts thoughts to oneself, usually along the lines of: How did he
do that? It’s a thought that frequently comes to Mind as I watch
something I can’t do: yet it is taken into the Imagination and often emerges
later on in club training as part of a similar technique or as element of a
Locking Set or Wrist Application. So, the student has already been prepared
but unaware. By chance, this occurred in the seminar. A Stick Technique in
which a Block and Strike developed into a
Throw
was demonstrated by a senior Belgian Sensei. I was agape as it was exactly
that which I had executed in a past Grading. Clearly my technique was not
unique to me as I thought it was – though it did signpost that I was on the
right track, so I take comfort in that. Also that nothing is “New” and others
have been of a similar mind on their Ju Jitsu journey.
This almost happened again when Sensei Chris Shepherd took that mat and demonstrated an Escape from a Double Wrist Grab. I say, “almost” as I have had a similar idea in mind but only in outline. Sensei Chris actualised it in a Complete Technique and Finish, which I had only sketched out in rough thinking. So, I’m grateful for that and it gave me a technique to take from the Seminar. Remember, you’re lucky to take 1 or 2 techniques from the welter of instruction. Incredibly, the course gave me 10 (I think…). I only now need to practise, practise, practise in club with someone gullible enough to let me – sorry, generous enough to lend me their person to practise. What else did I try to take in? Well, Sensei Steven VanH demonstrated a Ground technique from a Strangle between the legs. He took a light hold (always a warning sign from those who understand Groundwork – Sensei Willie Murley told me that sometime ago). It bore fruit. Sensei Steven controlled the Attacker and working through an evolution of Checks, Holds and more, ended with a Classic Finish of a Triangle. How did he do it? The Answer is: Cleverly. This is not a Teach Yourself manual.
A
very affable and good-humoured Belgian Sensei stepped on and asking for a
volunteer Uke. From a Roundhouse Right Punch, he issued a Left Swan Block and
moved into the Devil’s Handshake. Hmm, there was something missing from what I
could see. What was it? He then repeated. No, something going on. Still don’t
know. He repeated. Ah, I heard something. He repeated. Have you got the idea
yet? No? Well, now you know what I was thinking. In fact, he had consistently
issued a Distraction Slap/Strike to the Face as he did the Swan Block. He was
so fast that I could not see it but I had heard it. Wow. An invaluable
lesson for all of us.
Whilst this was going on, Sensei Colin Humbles was assailed by loads of kids. Yes, he was teaching all of them and from the peals of laughter, they were enjoying their discovery of ju jitsu. Sensei Ricky Izod took the mat and using Sensei Rick Alder as Uke, accepted a Double Punch which he turned into a Double Armock similar to Variation of Shoulder Throw from Green Belt. He then turned and locked both Arms whilst retaining with his Right Hand so freeing his Left Hand for a Strike at his choosing. From a second Double Punch, he issued Double Swan Blocks and in a controlled manner, placed the Uke in a Stack, Reversed him and then moved through a variation of Double Shoulder hold-down into a Crucifix Finish, with Strangle/Choke. Superb.
Do
you want to know how he did it? Well, go to his Club and train. You’ll thank
me afterwards. Sensei Graham Sergeant took the mat. I was grateful for this,
as I thought I might “borrow” any Hojo (Belt/Scarf) techniques he might show.
No, this didn’t happen. I was completely caught out as he did a terrific Take
down in which he then Fixed the Uke with a Reverse Back Hammer using his Leg.
From this, he then executed some 11 Locks in sequence in which he turned the
Uke…well, I dunno, multiple times and in multiple ways. While I was agog at
this flowing sequential locking set, I was thinking something along the lines
of “this is far too complicated to write this one down”, Sensei Graham bounded
over and with a smile on his Face and said, “Try writing that one down!”.
Well, I freely admit Defeat to that. Great Stuff, especially when he repeated
it on others who were not me. Sensei Brian did a very fast Hands set from a
Strike and then moved in a Takedown. Now, this looked like a standard double
wrist lock allowing use of Pressure to fix the Uke. In fact, it turned into a
Masterclass by Sensei Brian. The grip he employed allowed correct use of
musculature so as to minimise his effort to retain Control of the Uke. This
let Sensei Brian evolve into a Finish, whilst NEVER losing Control. For many
of us, we had not realised or had forgotten the antagonistic nature of certain
muscle groups. This meant that when we tried to emulate Sensei’s technique we
were unable to retain a complete maintenance of Control and so relied on Speed
or Strength to fudge our transitions. Sensei’s master class was worth the
price of admission on its own.
A
short break for a quick lunch was followed by a March-In of the many clubs of
Jikishin. This also heralded the start of the afternoon’s Competition. Sadly,
your Writer once again went out to a Hair Grab. I mean, really, it’s happened
before. I would have much preferred being punched in the face. Anyway, I still
fluked a Bronze so I’m well content. Watching the many mats, I saw an
excellent Okinawan Bo 2 kata from Sensei Sandy Mackay, 4th
Dan,
and he rightfully won Gold. Sensei Carrie Bywater did a splendid Sai 3 and
there was more. All did equally well in the Empty Hand mat as well. It was
busy so this can only be the briefest snapshot. The children’s mats were
buzzing with Weapons, Random Attacks, Sparring and more. Some great
sportsmanship was also displayed. The Adult mats were equally enjoyable, I
know ‘cos I had to judge some of them. The enduring memory is of high
standards, high commitment and an enjoyable atmosphere. I also noticed Sensei
Earl Walker, 4th
Dan,
with camera in hand to record as many aspects as possible.
You can see his work on
the Jikishin website. Code 06NOV
As
the medals were awarded to the many winners (well done to you all), the
International
drew to a close and I went to Bas Vegas. Well, it fooled me, cos I originally
thought I had heard “Las Vegas” and wondered how we would get there from
Southend. “Bas Vegas” is in Basildon. In fact, many of us met up in a Club
called Chicago. It was great fun and I was forced to leave at 3AM. I look
forward to a Return next year. My word, those Belgians can Dance! Great
enterntainment and thanks to
everyone who made it such a memorable event for all their efforts (yes, I know
about the mats, Sensei Lee Bywater, Tony Park – and the Stock table, thanks,
Sensei Lorraine Egleton, Wendy Hobday, Steve Hobday all 3rd
Dan)
and the many helpers/stewards on the door and more. Thanks for you all. Here’s
to 2011.
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