American Samurai

NYTKL

A LEAGUE OF SPIRIT, COMPETITION AND FAMILY VALUES

SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
BE SINCERE AND HONEST
SHOW STRONG SPIRIT
PRACTICE COURTESY
PRACTICE SELF CONTROL
BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS

Each time we bow in and bow out of a class, in every dojo and in every style of martial arts I have observed, a similar set of simple principles are recited.  Spoken out loud, said in a variety of ways, all encompass the same underlying values:

Photo left to right: Sensei Leung, Mr. Vergara, Destiny Vergara, Sensei Aschkar Stephen Ali, Mr. Ali and Sensei Villalona.

These principles are not religious or sectarian.  They are not for some or sometimes.  They are not complicated nor require special insight.  Rather, these are principles the founders and teachers of all the martial arts knew were required to master and control the special knowledge and skills they possessed.  These are the principles the founders of all martial arts try to instill in their students.  And these are the principles required of an individual, community or nation, if they are to use the power derived from their special knowledge and skills, for the betterment of the world we live in.  This does not mean that a particular style or perspective is of greater or lesser importance.  Conversely, we must respect each and every honest contribution, realizing that the sum is greater than its individual parts, and compromise is not rejection, but a way to move forward.

Dedication to principles, while maintaining high ethical standards in the face of competing objectives, requires a steadfast belief that our goals are worthy beyond their costs.  Such is the motivation of the NYTKL.  This, our second year as a league, has presented both accomplishments and challenges.  Last year we posed three questions:  “where did we come from?,” “Where are we going?,” and “What is it we hope to accomplish?”  As 2009 draws to an end, some answers to these questions are becoming apparent:

Photo left to right: Sensei Wiles, Bennett, Barksdale, Aschkar, Leung, Ruiz and Clark. 

1. In 2008, our league membership consisted of 5 dojos. Today we have 20, and  are still growing.
2. In 2009 we scheduled 5 NYTKL tournaments.  In 2010 we are preparing for 7
       Tournaments.
3. In 2008 we began with a 12-member Tournament Administration Volunteer Core.  In 2009 we grew to 50 members.  Most of these volunteers attended four instructional workshops to prepare for their duties as tournament administrators.
4. In 2009 we introduced our Coaches Program.  We currently have 20 registered coaches, and hosted our first coaches seminar.
5. In 2008 we began with a handful of tournament officials ( judges and referees ).  We currently have 38 USA National Karate-Do Federation licensed officials, and hosted two official’s workshops and one referee’s seminar.
6. In 2009 we registered 150 competitors who participated in the 5 NYTKL tournaments
       throughout the year.
7. The NYTKL helped sponsor two of our senior U.S. team members and  4 Jr. Team members to the Pan-American Karate Federation Championship in El Salvador.
8. A portion of the proceeds from the 2009 NYTKL events and fundraisers were  donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital on behalf of our league.
9. Asian World  Martial Arts (AWMA), a major supplier of martial arts products and supporter of our league and its goals, has agreed to sponsor two of  our competitors in the July 2010 national competitions, providing airfare, hotel and tournament fees.

On November 21, 2009 a luncheon was given to 230 attendees, celebrating the successful completion of NYTKL’s second year.  There, the founders, officials, volunteers, competitors, and their families, were gratefully acknowledged.  A slide show of September’s picnic, where all the member schools gathered to spend a day just enjoying each other’s company, was presented.  Finally, in gratitude and appreciation, the luncheon culminated with an awards ceremony thanking and honoring all those who made this second season an outstanding success.

As proud of these accomplishments as we are, we cannot rest or be complacent.  Next year the NYTKL is hoping to build on this year’s endeavors.  One major undertaking will be the development of a Young Adult Leadership Program.  We intend to commit time and resources to grooming our future Senseis, so they may pick up and continue what we have begun.

Spirit, competition and the basic values offered at the onset of this article are the driving forces that have allowed the NYTKL to accomplish so much this year.  Let us all commit to aspiring to these principles, so we may all share and participate in its legacy.  Let us be an example to our youth, so they may realize what we set out to accomplish.