Training with Sensei Chad Merriman

On the first of this month, Hanshi Chuck Merriman brought his son, Sensei Chad Merriman, to the Arizona Budokan for a special training session. Like his father, Sensei Chad is an accomplished traditional Goju-ryu practitioner ranked directly from Okinawa. He received his sixth dan from the staunchly traditional Okinawan Jundokan in 2008.

Goju-ryu is known for its practical, explosive, close-in fighting moves--which unlike more sport-oriented fighting arts, it takes directly from traditional kata. After some classic Goju warm-ups, including sanbon kumite exercises, Sensei Chad took us through the kata Saifa while unpacking its devastating bunkai and oyo applications.

 

Saifa is a kata that is shared between the Goju-ryu and Shito-ryu syllabus, so our intermediate and advanced students were familiar with a very similar version of it. It was wonderful to get a chance to learn and practice the close-in fighting applications that the Goju stylists derive from the form.

 

Sensei Ed DiNardo accompanied Sensei Chad and Hanshi Merriman to the dojo that night, 

and was an invaluable resource in unpacking some of the alternate and more advanced 

moves for the brown and black belts.

Everyone gained useful and interesting knowledge that we'll add to our growing tool box of kata bunkai knowledge. A warm thank-you to Hanshi Merriman, Sensei Chad, and Sensei DiNardo for sharing their expertise and experience with us.

We are grateful to have such a warm relationship with our traditional Goju-ryu
cousins and looking forward to having them back soon!!

WKO World Championships

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The 7th World Karate Organization World Championships were hosted in Phoenix this year by Hanshi Chuck Merriman, one of the most senior traditional Goju-ryu practitioners in the US. Hanshi Merriman taught an exclusive bunkai clinic at the Arizona Budokan last year, and you can find more about his history and accomplishments on our blog post from that event.

 

This was the first time in recent memory that a full-fledged world championship event was held right in our backyard, and five competitors from the Arizona Budokan took advantage of this amazing opportunity. Though none of us knew what to expect from an event of this caliber, we were delighted that our students came out as strong as ever.

Little Rose stole the show by placing second in weapons and third in kumite in a tough division--even more impressive since it was her first ever competition.

We are so proud of her, and looking forward to many more 

awesome performances in the future.

 

Sarah gave a solid showing as always, beating out everyone in her 

tough kobudo division except her dojomate and sempai Matt.

 

She finished with a third place medal in kata and second in kumite 

in addition to her second place medal in weapons.

Matt took two gold medals--one in kumite and one in weapons--

in addition to a strong second place in kata.

  

We're so proud of how he's coming along and know that he'll make an excellent AZB black belt before long.

 

This was a landmark tournament for Brianna, who was competing as a black belt for the first time ever. The double step-up in competition--first to black belt division and second to international tournament--didn't seem to phase her much (not that we were that surprised).

Brianna performed an amazing Saijutsu Shodan for the gold in weapons, and showed off her recent dedication to sparring practice by taking first in kumite as well. She rounded out her three medals with a second place in kata.

 

Brianna is wearing her new black belt well and serving as an excellent example for the other kids and teenagers in the dojo as she continues to zoom ahead in her training--as hardworking and cheerful as always. Way to go, girl!

  

Another hearty congratulations to Bri, Matt, and Sarah--

the rising teenage stars of the Arizona Budokan.

 

In adult black belt competition, Sempai Dawn took first in weapons with Miyazato no kon nidan, as well as earning a second place medal in kata, and third in kumite.

Our little group of five competitors came back with no fewer than FOURTEEN medals from this high-caliber international event. Everyone did a fantastic job. You are a fine example to your juniors and outstanding representatives of one of the most exacting traditional dojos in the world. Omedeto gozaimasu!!! Thank you also to Shihan, Sensei Ed, Sempai John, and everyone who helped us train for the event. We'll see you at the food drive tournament next month!