Interesting, and completely different from the Shotokan karate I'm used to.

Was the baton in the randori meant to represent a knife or similar weapon? I noticed your "defense" was a lot more aggressive than your opponent's, though I suppose that having the advantage in height and mass makes a big difference there.

That kata looked exhausting.

Thanks for sharing these!

Yeah, it's supposed to be a tanto (knife or dagger). Each competitor has the tanto for half of the match and has to try to stab. It is possible to get some throws when you have the tanto, though.

The kata was exhausting! We also blew it. Ash flubbed a technique about halfway through, turned the wrong way and improvised something. The other pair was way better than us anyway.

Edited at 2009-10-27 03:58 pm (UTC)

This isn't martial arts! I've seen Jackie Chan movies; you can't fool me! ;p

What was that item in your hands in the first video? In my head, your opponent kept saying, "don't tase me, bro!". :D

Yah, I'm curious about the stick as well. Does it represent a knife? Can you use it to "bop" the opponent on the head?

Yes to the knife, no to the bopping. You're only allowed to stab from belt to armpits, for safety reasons (the thing is foam rubber in a leather pouch, but it still hurts if you get it in the neck).

This is closer to Steven Seagal than Jackie Chan. :P

what was your number?

250. I'm the white guy who isn't super tall.