Congratulations to Brigette Callahan and Lori Bartel for their participation in Nisei Week. One of our former students, Greg Metzger, also fought. Brigette and Lori were the finalists in the Women’s Division, with Brigette winning their match. She is the 2012 Nisei Week Women’s Division Champion. Lori is the 2nd place winner. Greg took 3rd place in the overall Nisei Week tournament.

The competition was excellent. All fighters usually are pleased and not-pleased with their performance. This is part of karate. Even if you win, you consider how you could have done better.

Please make sure that you congratulate Brigette, Lori, and Greg — as well as the other participants. Andrae Miller trains with us periodically. He is the 2012 Nisei Week Champion. Trung Pham took 2nd place.

We are off to Vancouver this weekend for Canada Shotokan’s 40th Anniversary event. Wish our US Team well. Lori and Brigette will be fighting, along with Bridgette Ho from Garden Grove dojo on the women’s team and individual competition. We have a tough men’s team. All we want to do is fight strongly. Winning is secondary. The team has trained very hard for this event.

Just wanted to let you know that Lars Hansen, a former Lake Forest dojo member, is fighting on the US Team, as well. We are pretty well represented! Lars also competed in Nisei Week as a former Nisei Week champion, and did well.

All of the US Team fighters were trained by Greg Scott and Gary Shockley. I strongly suggest that you take advantage of training with these seniors, whenever the opportunity arises. To improve, just follow what they recommend — exactly. No deviation. No ego. Just follow the specific direction and your practice will improve, guaranteed.