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2007 “ATHENS KARATE GAMES”
COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS

          The Athens Karate Games is the oldest, annual, I.I.K.A tournament and has been around for a quarter century. If Saturday was any indication of it’s future, it will be around for a long time to come. It was heavily attended and expertly run and hosted by Masters JC and Carol Burris.

          The day began with Master Burris giving a touching and memorable tribute to Master Lee Paul, who passed the Saturday before. It was a bitter sweet memory of an old friend, Master Isshin-ryu man, and one of the true decent people I’ve ever known. Below is a memory of Lee that I had placed in an earlier article. It is not the only way I remember him but it is an Isshin-ryu way.

From Previous Article:
   LEE PAUL, has been around Isshin-ryu for a long time. He is a Minister, and seemed always cut out to be. He was quite, unassuming, hard working, and diligent in his love for Isshin-ryu. As a young guy he wasn't the most physically gifted, was pretty slim, but an ornery little bugger in the ring. On this particular day I was hopefully on my way to Grand. I drew Lee as my third fight. My strategy was to just pace myself with Lee, and not pick up any dings. I was looking way past him. My mistake!!!! He jumped me like a duck on a June bug. I wound up fighting for my life. People were cheering him on, and I just felt lucky to still be in it. Luckily I won??? I won the battle but Lee won the war. He did do me a favor after sticking that bony heel of his all over my arms, legs, and ribs twice. My next two fights thanks to him, seemed easy and I went Grand. But for the position of a judge or two, I would have been watching Lee's next fight from the stands. He physically won that match.

          Master Burris also acknowledged the presence of Master Scott Shamblin and his association. He made reference to the number of trophies Master Shamblin had personally won at the past events. From the looks of him I think he still could.

          Master Joe Laney was welcomed as was Gary Long. Master Burris gave recognition to the first Harold Long Invitational hosted by the Long family and Master Laney, this April 14th. Please see Master Laney’s site for details.

Laney Steel Hand Dojo 

          As you can tell we had a small group. Our Dragon Sen-I training has thinned out the ranks as we expected. I felt the guys gave a good account of themselves with Austin McAdams taking the grand championship. Our seventeen year old, Rahyel Whiley did well in his first men’s lightweight tournament, by finishing second. Leon Scott probably had the best over all day, taking first in his kata division and second in the his kumite division. Because Austin still looks like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz doing a kata, he settled for only Kumite honors. But hey!!! This is me talking. Is that a bad thing!! Ha!

          We were finally able to catch up with two of our three “Dragon Tab” recipients to give them their certificates. That only leaves Master Wayne Wayland who we hope to see at the Harold Long Memorial tournament. 

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

          I felt that the way Master Burris handled the beginning tournament comments set the stage for the good day everyone had. It gave a sense of unity, friendship and what is really important.

          The conduct was good, with only a few letting their emotions and competitive juices over flow a bit. Had some good natured banter with Tony Williams after a call against him, but that was all it was. Tony is no whiner and doesn’t need any help from anyone to win. He already is a winner.

          Had to ride heard on two mavericks in one match, but I expected it and even warned them at the beginning. It was elementary stuff, nothing heavy. These two come from heavy hitting, get it on dojo’s, so I had to Harold Long them a couple of times. That’s where I learned ring management; at the foot of the Master. It suites my style also, so it was an easy method to take to. I must admit that it is harder to judge and keep order now. People feared that their student would ever offend Mr. Long. He was very capable of disqualifying your student and demoting the sensei in rank all in the same call. If you ever opened your mouth once, you were toast. He was also capable of smacking someone on their rear end as I have seen him do more than once. Or, you could take the route Master James Ogle took with one of his black belts who questioned my ethics, not my judgment. He had him apologize to me, then to him, and then kicked him out for life. Here is a guy who places a high value on friendship as well as his own good name and reputation when it comes to dealing with his students. Of course, Master Ogle lives his whole life that way, not just convenient parts of it. Basically, I have no problem inviting someone outside that is bent on showing me up, but none of us have the final say like Mr. Long did. If I did, I would do it just like he did. Now you have safety equipment which makes the fight faster and more reckless. As a whole, the fighters are better.

          Congratulations Chris McElroy on winning his division. I know Old dad Master Phil, was proud. Time sure slips away. The picture below was taken in 1982.At the time, Phil had convinced Chris that I was his grand father. Now who looks oldest Chris??

          Speaking of pictures, Here is one (courtesy of Master Tommy True) from 1974. It was taken at the Nashville dojo after an I.I.K.A board meeting. That was thirty four years ago and with a couple of exceptions, and the passing of Master Wheeler, everyone is still around and active. Mr. Long knew how to pick his future leaders. 

          I talked to a lot of people that had read about our new system on this site. I got a great deal of support and lots of interest. I also was asked some good questions and received some very good advice. Two interesting conversations were with Masters, Wilson and Honeycutt. Master Honeycutt an officer of the law, was relating how little help kumite was to him in the street.  And how street fighting techniques, choke, ect. was his life line. Master Wilson was reminding me that he went well beyond law enforcement techniques and concentrated on things officers couldn’t do. What I am noticing is the growing interest in cross training among Isshin-ryu people. In reality, the first time someone threw a kick to the head in an Isshin-ryu tournament or dojo, they were no longer practicing pure Isshin-ryu and using cross training techniques.

THE GREAT RED TOP SCANDAL

          As everyone knows, the Red Dragons have been wearing red tops for the last eight years. It could be referred to as our trademark. Occasionally we wear black just to change up a bit. Saturday was such a situation. Thank goodness we didn’t wear red, as some imposters were running around the gym pretending to be us. Lo and behold, it was my old friend and former student, Master David Gabbard’s group. Talk about no respect. I’m seriously considering changing our tops, now that we have been copied. I noticed Master Markham’s group had on some pretty spiffy new colors. I suppose the fashion race is on. We will be working on our next ensemble. We may get out fought, but we will never get out dressed.

          But seriously folks……the tournament season is off to a great start. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Harold Long Memorial.