AMAPS Tournament News
AMAPS Pocono Farms Karate Club dojo in Pennsylvania attended the 16TH ANNUAL WORLD KARATE UNION HALL OF FAME tournament this past weekend – JUNE 12TH, 2011 at the Chateau Resort & Conference Center in Tannersville, Pa.
This was Sensei Papa’s first tournament as the Sensei of the Pocono Farms Karate Club and he and his student performed as expected from one of our group. We are all very proud of Sensei Papa and Mudansha Joe Rollo.
Brown belt student of Sensei Anthony Papa, Joe Rollo competed in Empty Hand Kata and Weapons Kata placing 1st in each division. Sensei Papa said that Mr. Rollo normally takes 1st in Kumite as well but due to the amount of competitors and the delays in running the event both men had to leave for work obligations and could not stay for the kumite rounds.
Photo One: Empty hand kata – Joe Rollo
Photo Two: Bo Kata – Joe Rollo
Photo Three: Sensei Papa, Grandmaster Leon Wright who is a private contractor and teaches self defense to our troops overseas in Afghanistan. Shihan Frank Williams of Universal Martial Arts Association in N.C. and teaches Isshinryu. He is retired USMC.
(Nice shirt Sensei Papa!!! Wear it with pride!!!!!.)
Congrats to your students Mr. Papa. I like the shirt also. Where can a man get one of those?
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Everyone, I have personally met Mr. Rollo. He is a really nice person. He trained in shorin-ryu in the same dojo as Sensei Papa. If he continues to follow the directions of Sensei Papa, His kata and weapons will continue to improve dramatically. He has a strong foundation and with only small (but super important) corrections, he will be able to grow to be the best martial artist he can be. As we all say, winning first is important to us. However, overcoming ourselves and constantly finding something to work on to improve ourselves is the true path to being the best martial artist we can be.
As everyone knows my opinion of Competitions:
Tournaments do not tell us how good we are. They only show the shortcomings of the training of others. As Mr. Long said we do not go to tournaments looking for the competition, because…WE ARE THE COMPEITION!!!!! I feel Mr. Rollo fits right in with our group of winning champions.
Everyone also knows my philosophy about training:
Our goal should be to perform the movements and techniques exactly as our instructor asks us to do. First place in a tournament means you were better than the other competitors were in your division that day, as judged by the panel in charge of your ring. It does not mean that you are a quality Karateka. You should always strive to meet the expectations of your Sensei. A good sensei will see your ability and push you to be the best martial artist you can be and that will make you a Quality Karateka.
I think Sensei Papa’s classes are the right place for Mr. Rollo to get the honest feedback required to take him to the next level. I am sure that Sensei Papa is excited to have a student with such potential, as Mr. Rollo, as proven by his multiple wins that this event. Let us all welcome Sensei Papa’s class and Mr. Rollo to our group with open arms….
Remember:
If you want to be the best martial artist, first you must be the person that works the hardest and be open to your sensei finding all of your shortcomings in stance, body mechanics, eye contact and focus. Fix all of those and you will be a Master Level Martial Artist.
I look forward to hearing all the positive and negative feedback to these comments.
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I have not had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rollo but look forward to it in the future ... I know he's in good hands with Sensei Papa!!
I have to agree with you on your tougest competition being yourself ... most of us would have walked away long ago if it was only about besting the other guy ....
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Thank you very much for all the kinds words. I will share this with Mr. Rollo. Your comments just support everything I was taught over the last 30+ years. This is why I am honored to be affiliated with Master Seiber and other instructors of Isshinryu- following in the steps of Master Mitchum.
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Sensei Papa,
I met you at this tournament last year. When I heard that the amazing Master Doyle Seiber may show up I didn't even want to compete because I didn't want to miss any time with him.
Your humility left a lasting impression on me that day, and it has not changed.
As a Teacher I would rather see my students win than for me to win. I know you feel the same way.
The World Karate Union H.O.F. Tournament was a great time last year and I am sure it was again this year as well. I did not go this year because of the drive, but if I would have known that you were going to be there I would have made the trip.
Congrats to you and Mr. Rollo all the way from Georgia.
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Maybe, Mr. Rollo can accompany Sensei Papa to Mike Taylor's tournament in October. Since it is an Open event, Shorin-Ryu would be a great addition to the Isshin-Ryu,Kung-fu,and Tae Kwon do stylist.
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