From BJJ to Karate

[uzumaki]

Hello

This is my first posting to this forum. I've been reading for awhile and have learned a lot. A great, informative forum.

I've read a few threads about Karate fighters interested in taking up grappling. I'm on the other side, a grappler who is interested in supplementing my training with Karate. Wondering if anyone else on the forum came from a grappling background before starting to train in Karate?

Aside from some boxing, my MA training has always been in grappling. However, I would like to expand my skills and I find myself more drawn to Japanese Karate than the direction most grappler's seem to go, which is Muay Thai or general MMA.

Any advice on what I can expect when starting Karate classes? Any challenges I should expect? Or just jump in with an open mind (which is what I usually do!)

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

[kyofighter]

Before Kyokushin I practiced Judo for about one year...but I always wanted stand up fighting so I give up Judo...it helped me though with sweeps and landings...now after 20 years of karate I want to restart judo again and practice both...
Just go ahead and try kyokushin for a while , see how it feels.

[sokaiya]

Many of the older generation Karateka's were originally Judo men turned Kyokushin.

[kyofighter]

Yes , I know...Judo was the only martial art allowed in my country (Romania)under the communist regime back in the '80s...so I had no choice really...

[uzumaki]

Thanks for the feedback.

Although I have trained a little Judo, my primary training has been in BJJ. I was nervous because BJJ training is very relaxed and generally more informal than Karate.

Today, I met the Sensei at the school. He is an older gentlemen, very kind and approachable.

He was very open to me taking a step into Karate and he stressed that there is something to learn in all styles. He encouraged me to explore Karate and also said "Do not stop training in groundfighting styles - that is your style and your strength". So, I now feel very encouraged as he seems to understand what I am looking for and where I am coming from - he is very open minded to it. I feel a lot more comfortable after discussing my interest with him.

[World War Cheese]

Hiyo, I'm new here too and have been training in Judo for a few years now. Kyokushin has always had a close relationship to grappling (or so my Judo sensei told me after I asked about Kyokushin) Apparently Kimura trained with Mas Oyama (Oyama even offered to Kill Rikidozen after he cheated Kimura and had to be persuaded otherwise)

I wish you the best of luck both in BJJ and in Karate!

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by World War Cheese

Kyokushin has always had a close relationship to grappling (or so my Judo sensei told me after I asked about Kyokushin)

Yes kyokushin and judo used to be close. Almost all the old kyokushin masters also did judo, and before the knockdown rules were invented, kumite started standing but often ended in grappling. This is where the early shidokan knockdown rules with limited time grappling (and daido juku rules) comes from.

When the knockdown rules became popular after the first world tournament 1975, the judo/grappling mostly vanished from kyokushin sparring.

Apparently Kimura trained with Mas Oyama (Oyama even offered to Kill Rikidozen after he cheated Kimura and had to be persuaded otherwise)

Oyama trained judo at the Sone Dojo 1939 - 1943 under Kozo Sone and earned 4rth Dan. His friendship with Kimura originally comes from when Kimura trained Gojuryu under the same goju master as Oyama (SoNei Chu), and later became a assistant teacher at SoNei Chus Dojo.
Later, Oyama kept up on his judo by training with Kimura.

Before the Kimura/Rikidozan fight 1954, Oyama had actualy trained Rikidozan in standup, and he was famed for his karate punching. The fight was supposed to be well choreographed show in best wrestling style, but Rikidozan cheated, broke the routine and punched the suprised Kimura down to the floor and then KOd him with a kick to the head while down. Kimura had several offers from volunteers to take revenge and kill Rikidozan (oyama being one according to the story), but he told them not to.
Story is that Oyama actually asked Rikidozen for a fight when they met at a nightclub some time later, but Rikidozen started swinging a microphone stative, and that was not the kind of honorable fight Oyama had in mind -he wanted a duel, not a barbrawl, so he walked away.


Good luck to both of you in your karate, but keep training your grappling arts.

[ryudo]

Originally Posted by kyofighter

Yes , I know...Judo was the only martial art allowed in my country (Romania)under the communist regime back in the '80s...so I had no choice really...

Isn't it kind of funny I am from Cuba the large Island in the Caribean Sea. Yeah overthere it was the same story only judo was allowed for every body, karate was for the political operaty KGB
Still a few ex-cuban KGB deflected to the US and now they are teaching it over here.

[uzumaki]

When I first posted I was planning to go to my first Kyokushin Karate class after years of BJJ training. Well, it's been a month and I've been attending Kyokushin training twice per week so I thought I should post about my thoughts on the training.

Quite simply: loving it!!!

Karate training has helped me appreciate the things I'm strong at and also look honestly at my weak points.

The first 2 classes were extremely challenging, not knowing the Japanese phrases and not knowing any of the techniques. I just did my best to follow along - of course always a 1/2 step behind and often with the wrong leg or fist forward!
However, everyone in the dojo was very encouraging and welcoming. Surprisingly, a lot of students expressed interest in grappling - asking about techniques or general concepts of grappling.

After years of grappling, performing kata was really difficult. It was so different. But after 1 month, I can make it through Taikyoku sono ichi and Taikyoku sono san. Of course, I'm not doing them very well, but at least I'm in sync with the rest of the students! 4 weeks ago I NEVER thought it would be possible to make it through even 1 kata! It seemed unimaginable!

I find myself looking forward to every class and thinking about the techniques and practicing on my days off. I'm going to keep up with my grappling but I'm definitely eager to continue training Karate.

[kakatootoshi]

Dear Martin H,
I think it is said that Kimura committed a foul first when he kicked into the groin of Rikidozan, and that made he think Kimura was fighting for real.
And in a biography of Rikidozan, reportedly someone gave him a glass of fizzible drink after an intestinal surgery and it eventually killed him.

OSU!

[World War Cheese]

Originally Posted by kakatootoshi

Dear Martin H,
I think it is said that Kimura committed a foul first when he kicked into the groin of Rikidozan, and that made he think Kimura was fighting for real.
And in a biography of Rikidozan, reportedly someone gave him a glass of fizzible drink after an intestinal surgery and it eventually killed him.

OSU!

Lies, both Oyama and Kimura have spoken on the topic. Riki's attack was because like Oyama, he was a Korean and fealt a real Japanese in the same circuit of high repute would mean the end of him and he wanted him OUT.

Oyama was going to fight him but when he saw him in a bar felt he was a looser and not worth it which came true when he was later stabbed to death in a bar by some guy off the street who "legend has is" was a yakuza soldier.

[ryudo]

I find myself looking forward to every class and thinking about the techniques and practicing on my days off.
I'm going to keep
up with my grappling but I'm definitely eager to continue training Karate.[/quote]

defenitively do not stop training in Bjj or Judo if you can the kyokushin or karate training for that matter will perfect your striking ability enourmously, but you can forget the ground work and grappling.
And about kata if you get lost in any of them youtube.com has a huge selection to pick from, basically all the styles katas are the same with minor differences, the only thing that changes are the names.
Goju ryu seiuchin its not that different from the Kyokushin version well maybe except that part were they perform open handed double blocks in sanchin dachi but that was just Oyama interpretation of Higaona's gojuryu katas. What can I say is a free world!!!...OSU!