“To enlighten and evolve through the art of Kenpo”
| Volume 12 |
June 2007 |
Issue 2 |
2007 All American Kenpo Karate Tournament
2007 All American Kenpo Karate Tournament
by William Joseph Pemberton
Once a year, as the days grow longer, Kenpoists from all over the southland come to Culver City, California in friendship and camaraderie. They come in all shapes and sizes, ages and backgrounds. They come to share their skills in friendly competition and to honor their common history, their shared present and their bright future. It was just such a time this past March when many of our Kenpo Family came together to share and show and honor the legacy left to us by Mr. Ed Parker, our founding father. It was held, as it has been every year, by Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate and it was a rousing success.
Every year the spirit of Kenpo grows brighter and healthier. Never is this more clear than when the variety of Kenpo is on display as it was this year. It was, by any definition, our most successful year. More schools, more competitors, more spectators, more exposure for our art. As always, the sportsmanship and love were an inspiration. It is always food for thought when men and women of such talent and skill come together and honor themselves and their students with grand displays of respect for themselves, their opponents and their students and instructors. To lose with honor is hard, to win with honor more so. There will always be times when we disagree with a decision and our egos may hurt from a close loss but how we honor one another, win or lose, during the stress and adrenaline rush of competition often defines us in ways that simple training cannot. If we gloat or strut we diminish our victory and dishonor our teacher. If we pout, cry or attack others we lose more than a match, we lose ourselves, our honor.
The level of competition was extraordinary, as was the variety of schools, and all comported themselves with grace and dignity worthy of a Martial Artist. The BKF – Black Karate Federation – is known across the globe as fierce competitors of talent and drive, a fact that was easily on display in Culver City this year. We were honored with one of their founding fathers, Bishop Donnie Williams, whose skill is second only to his piety. His presence brought to our gathering a blessing that only those of true accomplishment can. Also present were Sasha Williams – who brought many of his students, Tom Bleecker dropped by for a visit. Also bringing students were Robert Temple, Tony Martin, Albert Cornejo, Willie Aguilar, Torey Perry, Duane McGee, Steve Baca, James Parsons and, of course, Bryan Hawkins. Also present were good friends Stuart Sobel, Jack Autry, Frank Trejo, George Waite and Howard Silva, and many others who dropped by to say hello and pass a little time amongst us. These visits with our extended family is always one of the highlights for me and if I have missed anyone I apologize.
No tournament would be complete without the people who make it what it is, the students and the schools that produce them. There were many students from several schools sweating and sharing of themselves and to them we must always be grateful for it is they that carry on our tradition of quality Kenpo in the memory of Edmund Kealoha Parker. If he were here today he must surely smile with pride at what has been wrought in his name. To see these students, children and adults, is to understand the greatness of the gift Mr. Parker has left to us and the stewardship of those left behind. It is thanks to all of you that we continue to proliferate the art of Kenpo.
Our gratitude must also extend to the students and families of Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate without whom none of this could be accomplished. Several students arrived the night before to set up and they and others arrived in the early hours of the morning to set up or stayed late to break down the rings and booths as well as running the concessions, sign in and other areas so that this event, our largest yet, could run smoothly. Parents, spouses and students all banded together to help keep score and time or to offer their time and talent in any way that was asked. It is this spirit of extended family that shows how fortunate we are to have an organization that can bring such disparate people together under one roof for one purpose with such cooperation. If this does not reaffirm your faith in mankind then nothing will. Thank you all.
This year, for the first time, our host, Bryan Hawkins, and several of his Black Belts gave a demonstration of Kenpo to the delight and edification of all those present. The demo lead off with some words, both spoken and motion, by Mr. Hawkins himself in which he discussed some of his ideas of the language of Kenpo before he turned it over to his team who then offered some “dialogue” of their own. It was the first of many annual demonstrations promised by one of Mr. Parker’s premier students.
As the sun dropped toward the horizon and the afternoon became the evening many of us dropped in on our own Heidi and Michael Rains whose generosity in offering their house for our social gatherings is simply one more thing for which we must be grateful. The food was excellent and the conversation better. The perfect end to the perfect day.
In the end, a fun time was had by all and the memory of Mr. Parker was felt throughout the day. Lessons were learned and friendships made or renewed. Brotherhood and sisterhood was celebrated and trophies were passed out and people were cheered. Food was eaten and entertainment was had. The work of weeks, even months or years, was rewarded. Such gatherings are, in my experience, rare and it is only the people who make it truly special.
As always, our gratitude must go to Bryan and Melissa Hawkins for the time and effort and lost sleep that goes into organizing such a grand event. Once again, Mr. Hawkins has shown that any organization is only as strong as its leader, quality flows from the top down, and we are lucky to be under the banner of such a man. Thank you for all that you do.
And now we must look forward to next year. See you then.