Preliminary Training Camp Report:
The first USA Kudo Winter Training Camp, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a success! (Excepting my CONSTANT travel complications, but that's normal for me).The camp was held at the Colorado Springs BudoKan, and was organized by J.D. Alexander Sensei- USA branch chief, and taught and overseen by two fantastic instructors: Komatsu Sensei- Akita branch chief, and Ito Sensei – L.A. Branch chief. On the first day, most people arrived in Colorado Springs and we gathered for dinner and drinks to acclimate. Before training began on the second day we went out to breakfast, then to the Cave of the Winds for some adventure, then headed out to Manitou Springs to drink from their 8 famous “magic” restorative natural springs. The water is delicious and naturally carbonated! Then in the late afternoon we commenced our training consisting of an in-depth review of Kudo basic technique, followed by boxing drills. After training the group gathered at a sports bar to have dinner and watch Kato Sensei of Kudo fight in Belletor on Television. The next day we started bright and early for over 8 total hours of very intense training. The training was made all the more difficult by the fact that the Dojo is at a high elevation, significantly higher than Denver, and most of us were not used to the change at all. Our 8 hours of training were broken down into conditioning and basics, followed by intense combination work led by Komatsu Sensei, and the second half of the day consisted of throwing, and grappling techniques of all manner led by Ito Sensei. That evening we held a traditional dojo style drinking and social party, enkai, to better get to know everyone. Of course I was coaxed into doing drunken 1 finger handstand pushups for the teachers! After the party we all went to bed, because the next day consisted of the tests. Those testing for rank, and those wishing to participate were put through an intense examination that was filmed (along with the rest of the camp) to send back to Azuma-Jukuchou for review. The exam was 3 hours of intense review, followed by fighting. Bret, from L.A. Dojo, was testing for his black belt and so had to do a 10 man fight. I was 2 of his fights (Standup fighting only, which I won, and Grappling only, which we tied ). He did fantastic, and I have no doubt he will be awarded his belt. To close the camp, those of us who had the time headed up into the mountains to visit the lovely Mount Princeton hot springs to soak our beaten bodies and relax our minds. The perfect end to a perfect camp.
If you can go I highly recommend it. People who wish can sleep in the dojo free of charge, which is of course what I did, and the instruction and camaraderie can't be beat. Osu!
Personal Highlights:
If I did have a show, what would you guys want it to consist of? ...
The first USA Kudo Winter Training Camp, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a success! (Excepting my CONSTANT travel complications, but that's normal for me).The camp was held at the Colorado Springs BudoKan, and was organized by J.D. Alexander Sensei- USA branch chief, and taught and overseen by two fantastic instructors: Komatsu Sensei- Akita branch chief, and Ito Sensei – L.A. Branch chief. On the first day, most people arrived in Colorado Springs and we gathered for dinner and drinks to acclimate. Before training began on the second day we went out to breakfast, then to the Cave of the Winds for some adventure, then headed out to Manitou Springs to drink from their 8 famous “magic” restorative natural springs. The water is delicious and naturally carbonated! Then in the late afternoon we commenced our training consisting of an in-depth review of Kudo basic technique, followed by boxing drills. After training the group gathered at a sports bar to have dinner and watch Kato Sensei of Kudo fight in Belletor on Television. The next day we started bright and early for over 8 total hours of very intense training. The training was made all the more difficult by the fact that the Dojo is at a high elevation, significantly higher than Denver, and most of us were not used to the change at all. Our 8 hours of training were broken down into conditioning and basics, followed by intense combination work led by Komatsu Sensei, and the second half of the day consisted of throwing, and grappling techniques of all manner led by Ito Sensei. That evening we held a traditional dojo style drinking and social party, enkai, to better get to know everyone. Of course I was coaxed into doing drunken 1 finger handstand pushups for the teachers! After the party we all went to bed, because the next day consisted of the tests. Those testing for rank, and those wishing to participate were put through an intense examination that was filmed (along with the rest of the camp) to send back to Azuma-Jukuchou for review. The exam was 3 hours of intense review, followed by fighting. Bret, from L.A. Dojo, was testing for his black belt and so had to do a 10 man fight. I was 2 of his fights (Standup fighting only, which I won, and Grappling only, which we tied ). He did fantastic, and I have no doubt he will be awarded his belt. To close the camp, those of us who had the time headed up into the mountains to visit the lovely Mount Princeton hot springs to soak our beaten bodies and relax our minds. The perfect end to a perfect camp.
If you can go I highly recommend it. People who wish can sleep in the dojo free of charge, which is of course what I did, and the instruction and camaraderie can't be beat. Osu!
Personal Highlights:
- Since one of the instructors doesn't like to speak English and the other one usually stays silent I was translator on many occasions.
- Becoming closer with the instructors.
- Drunken one finger handstand pushups!
- Drinking magic spring water!
- Hot springs!
- New training partners.
- Ito sensei works as a programming director for Fuji television and also develops programs for US television and thinks he might be able to make a show out of me!
If I did have a show, what would you guys want it to consist of? ...
   Drinking Magic Spring Water!    Komatsu Sensei & Nash |       Nash & Ito Sensei |
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