Thoughts, stories, and ideas from Sensei Steve Gottwirt

Thoughts, stories, and ideas from                  Sensei Steve Gottwirt
Some of these thoughts, stories, and personal history appeared in our newsletter, "Dō Gakuin News". Few members have been with us since our first issue in 1993. As such, ideas on this page may have been printed before, but are worth telling again.

Friday, January 25, 2013

The K Is On The Way - 2020


“The K is on the way - 2020” is a frequently-heard ‘battle cry’ these days.  This is part of the campaign to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include Karate as an Olympic sport in the 2020 Games.  While I applaud the effort and truly hope that Karate makes it to the Olympics on this, the third time it tries for inclusion, I sadly predict: it ain’t gonna happen.

I’ve always been good with concepts and terrible with facts, so I can’t really give much more than my opinion.  The story of Karate’s attempts at Olympic inclusion can be found on the internet, so I’ll just rough it out here.  ‘Karate’ is a generic term for many different Japanese and Okinawan styles with many, many associations.  Different organizations wanted to be in charge of the bid for Olympic status.  The general feeling was, “Everyone, come under my banner”.  Of course, everyone else said to come join them under their banners.  As a result, nothing got accomplished.  Tae Kwon Do (an equally generic term for many Korean styles) got their act together under the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and was introduced as a demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992.  It became a full-medal sport at the 2000 Games.  The Olympics only have ‘kyorugi’ (sparring), and not ‘poomse’ (forms).  Our kumite is almost the same as Korean kyorugi: blocks, punches, and kicks.  We both wear foam sparring gear and score on the same target areas.  As it now stands, there is absolutely no need for the IOC to let Karate into the Olympics.  Nothing to get upset about – Tae Kwon Do simply beat us to the punch (pun intended).

The solution is simple, but karateka seem to be too proud to do it: compete in Tae Kwon Do events.  Sparring is sparring.  Qualify for Olympic Tae Kwon Do competition.  It’s as simple as that.  Ah, but suppose someday they allow forms into Olympic competition?  This answer is just as simple, but again, karateka don’t want to do it.  Learn WTF-approved forms.  But … but … they’re KO-RE-AN, not Japanese!!!  Big deal.  Many karateka are already doing it, just not admitting to it.  The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the international governing body of Olympic Karate; the United States National Karate Federation (USANKF) is the US national governing body.  Many of my Shotokan kin compete with Goju Ryu kata, or change their Shotokan kata to conform to WKF/USANKF standards.  It seems the unwritten goal of international competition is to eliminate different styles and homogenize all of Karate, rather than acknowledge their differences.  I’ve spoken to more than one sensei who tells their students, “This is how you do kata in tournament, but if you do it this way on your test, you fail.”  Students/competitors just blindly accept it.  They don’t think to question, “Why are you teaching me kata two different ways?  Especially if each way is considered 'wrong' by the other’s standards.  What a crock!”

UPDATE - MAY 30, 2013: After a presentation before the IOC yesterday, the decision was immediately reached not to include Karate in the shortlist of sports candidates that will travel to Buenos Aires in September for the final decision of the IOC Session.

UPDATE - AUGUST 3, 2016: It was announced today that Karate will be included in the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan. I don't mind being wrong since this will only help the Karate world.