2007
MIDDLE TENNESSEE KARATE
GAMES

   Words of praise for a job well done are in full supply for Tony Williams, and his Lebanon students and supporters. This young man has taken the big responsibility of hosting a tournament, and made it a successful, not to be missed, annual event. If that were not enough, he and wife Melissa, hosted an after tournament cook-out, at their stylish new, country home. It was a beautiful setting with lots of good food and fellowship.

  Tony’s group offered no hospitality at all inside the ring ,as they emerged as the most dominating group there. Although we did well in the trophy department, Tony’s people saw to it that they were mostly second place awards. I must say here that seeing my grand daughter in her first tournament win a kata 3rd and a kumite 2nd, was a thrill I had never experienced. This is my first family member, outside of my son’s brief appearance years ago. I was so nervous for her, I had to work hard to hide it. I kept stressing to her just to get some experience and enjoy it. This while feeling like I was going to throw up any minute.  

Red Dragon Tournament Team 24 Total Trophies; 4 Weapons, 10 Kata, 9 Kumite, and The Kata Grand Champion!
The Red Dragon Creature Corner	Master Shaffer with his grand daughter McKenzie (She placed 3rd in kata, 2nd in kumite)

   Tony, Josh Jessie and Chip Roney nailed down their respective rings, sending us packing. There was some confusion that went against Leon in a match, but that was not the whole story. As I told him afterwards: ”it is your job to take the decision out of the judges hands and clearly beyond doubt, win your fights.” “If you don’t take control of the ring and your opponent, then you are leaving it up to the judges to decide”. If you don’t have good, still training judges, then they are always going to be inferior to the people fighting and get behind the action, instead of in front of it.” You lose with poor defense not blown calls. Josh Jessie was the grand champion and had to keep believing in himself to do it. Josh has been in a slump of late. Some due to his MMA type training, but mostly just a slump. The heart and mind of a true champion stays focused and true to himself while slumps are going on. Josh came out of his slump in grand championship form. The mark of a true champion. I watched Leon do this at the Hall of Fame last year. These guys at the core are all the same. Josh, Tony and Chip put their whole school on their backs and said, “follow me”. It only works if you have the heart to back it up. Congratulations guys. You are now the team to beat.

   Here is a not so well kept secret. I have it straight from Tony Williams himself, that this will be his last year of competition. He feels that although he will miss the competition, it is time to devote a 100% of his time to his students. I will personally miss seeing the Flying Dutchman, streak around the ring, Gi flapping in the wind, eyes wild and riveted, out maneuvering, out smarting and out fighting everyone, nearly 95 percent of the time his whole 20 plus year, ring career. I’m sure that none of his competitors will miss him.

   The bad news for the competition continues, because now he is only going to make the very good (his students) even better. Let me be the first to congratulate you Tony on a great career. It has been a great ride.

   Congratulations Uriah (Woody) Woods. Woody was also in the Kata Grand competition at Kelly’s Tournament. this time he wasn't to be denied. He had to really work for it, as he and Julie Gabbard tied for first and had to run a third kata to break the tie. By a slim margin, Woody won the Grand.

   “Memo to those who have seemed to be so worried that our dojo isn’t doing Isshin-ryu in the “good old traditional way”, due to our cross training (particularly Dragon Sen- I Jutsu). You don’t know what we are doing because you don’t come around to find out. The fact that you aren’t interested is ok too, but you can’t have it both ways. Don’t judge. I have never judged anyone who is still teaching and working. What a guy teaches is no ones business. The product of your teaching will be displayed by your students. So just shut up and show me your students. As a statement of fact,half of our trophies have always been kata trophies. That gets over looked because, we are a fighting school who also does kata. Not the other way around.

   The Thursday night before the tournament, the black belts and I had a meeting to consider some tab nominations from the Monday night before. Based on the requirements, (see Dragons forever page) three people were selected.

They were Sandra Strong, Dave Park and Jerry Sullivan. All were recognized and elected due their leadership, accomplishments, and support of our dojo. Below are the pictures and a brief write up.

Master Sandra Strong

   Master Strong has been a huge help, supporter and advisor to our students for a long time. since I open the Dragon dojo in 96, Master Strong has attended our workouts, events and combined seminars. Her support has been felt in many ways but none more than with Jacob Gallman who nominated her. He commented that she had been an inspiration to him when she was his tournament referee even when he lost. I’m sure there are others around Isshin-ryu who would say the same thing. She is one of my second generation black belts from the Nashville school. My guys felt that Sandra had been very instrumental in keeping my linage alive there when others clearly had not. For her loyalty there, and her friendship here with us, we wanted her to be a Dragon Forever.

Master Dave Park

   Master Park was chosen, based on his support of our schools Dragon Jams, and the support of other friends and tab holders. He is a mainstay of Isshin-ryu and a symbol of consistency. He is a fellow cross trainer and a very knowledgeable jujitsu artist. Master Park also included me in his linage on his patch. I was very honored and privileged to be a part of his sensei mentor program. For this reason, he was also made a part of mine. He will serve as a mentor and friend to my students and remain as long as he wishes, a Dragon Forever.

Master Jerry Sullivan

   One of the better young leaders and teachers in Isshin-ryu, this was a great choice. His hard work on behalf of the Kelly Hero’s tournament, and his faithful Dragon Jam support, won him quick voting acceptance Thursday night. Jerry has been such a steady influence on the Rogersville group, that his personality, attitude and spirit, hopefully will rub off on us. Jerry got a big vote from Mr. Paul Hitchcock our honorary tab holder. Paul got a call from Jerry thanking him for coming to the Rogersville tournament. Mr. Paul was very impressed as he should be. They aren’t making many of them like Jerry any more. That’s why we need him to be a Dragon Forever.

THE ISSHIN-RYU CROSS TRAINERS ALLIANCE

   This is not an association. It has no dues, officers, rank, ect. It is an alliance of people dedicated to progressive cross training.

   I have several commitments from other Masters who are interested in being a part of this group. We will gather to hold seminars and "hands on" training for anyone who is interested in being a better martial artist. "Hands on" means that you will not have to just stand and listen and watch. You will be physically learning the material shown. My plan is to put together four separate seminars (Date and location later). They will cover all Isshin-ryu, aspects as well as, grappling (standing and ground), boxing, and jujitsu. I hope to tie them in with my Dragon Jam and Friday nights before a couple of the tournaments. Again this is not an association, nor is it designed to take the place of one. Hopefully we can work with and within the associations for aspects of the training and support. This is a physical think tank, and all types of thinking is encouraged. Progress is our only unity statement.