I am a firm believer in the power of nicknames. They increase the entertainment value of any sport, give the fans an idea of who that athlete is, and allow the audience to connect with fighters in a different way. For sport karate, nicknames could play a small part in helping the sport grow in popularity because of those benefits. Fortunately, looking back through recent and distant point fighting history we already have quite a few great nicknames, so I decided to rank the top five. This list does not include some of the current best nicknames such as Bailey "B-Reel" Murphy or Darren "Dee Stacks" Payne. I also had to make some tough decisions for iconic nicknames like Hakim "The Machine" Alston, Gerald "Awesome" Dawson, and Ross "Turbo" Levine to barely miss the list. Ultimately, I had to choose in favor of names that directly reflected something about that fighter's game, something that few others could lay claim to. I also need to throw out the biggest honorable mention of them all, which is the wide variety of nicknames that the late, great Kevin Thompson had. His iconic pseudonyms include "Little KA" named after his instructor Karriem Abdallah, "The Total Package" for his ability to win every division available, and even "The Eighth Wonder of the World". Now, let's get to the top five. 5. Jerry "Fast Feet" Fontanez and Justin "Hot Foot" Ortiz These two fighters are probably pointing at me in the picture, because they know that I'm cheating by using two nicknames in the number five spot. HOWEVER, how could anyone pick between two fantastic foot-related nicknames? The history of such nicknames dates back to legendary kickboxer Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, who undoubtedly inspired both of these point fighters. Jerry "Fast Feet" Fontanez was renowned for his lightning-fast kicks that helped him earn 8 world championships during his career. He was active as recently as November 2022, when he appeared in the Virtual Fight Tour to defeat Brian Crumb in a hybrid point fighting/continuous fighting match. Justin "Hot Foot" Ortiz was widely considered the best lightweight point fighter in the world at his peak and won the lightweight diamond ring championship at the Diamond Nationals in 2015. He added some style to his nickname by wearing a signature red sparring boot on his right foot that he consistently planted on his opponent's helmet for 2 points. In a sport that is dependent upon skilled footwork and kicking, these two nicknames had to make the list. 4. Jack "The Iceman" Felton When MMA fans hear Iceman , they think Chuck Liddell, but when sport karate fans hear Iceman , everyone knows you're talking about Jack Felton. He earned this nickname from the calm, cool-as-ice demeanor that he fights with. Never too excited when he is up, and certainly never too frustrated when he is down, he is always steady and level-headed. This mentality helped him craft a career as one of the best lightweight point fighters to ever do it. He has NBL, NASKA, and WAKO world championships under his belt, with remarkable longevity. You can find highlights of his back in the days of the World Combat League fighting for the Los Angeles Stars, and most recently winning the overall grand championship at the Compete Internationals in February. Another nickname worthy of mentioning is "Captain Jack", which Raymond Daniels commonly calls him as the veteran leader of Team All Stars. 3. Pedro "The Axeman" Xavier A number of sport karate nicknames were either created or popularized by the WMAC Masters television series. My personal favorite of these has to be The Axeman for Pedro Xavier. This one is pretty self-explanatory, as Pedro Xavier had the gnarliest axe kick the point fighting game has ever see. The way that he could come off a kicking combo, hold that leg what seemed like 15 feet in the air, and slam it down on some of the best fighters in the world was simply insane. The Team Paul Mitchell legend won the WAKO lightweight world championship three times in 1991, 1993, and 1995, among many other prestigious titles throughout his career. 2. Raymond "The Real Deal" Daniels You probably saw this one coming. It doesn't get much better than the man most people consider to be the greatest point fighter of all time being referred to as The Real Deal . This isn't just a great nickname because it shares the "RD" initials with his actual name, or just because it is original. I love this nickname so much because it truly describes Raymond Daniels. If you watched Ray fight for the first time, you would see him dance around the ring, talk to the crowd, and do his signature pre-fight ritual complete with prayer and fanfare. You'd probably be thinking "man, this guy sure acts like he's something, I wonder if he can really fight". The next thing you would see is him nailing somebody with three straight blitzes before backing off so that he can blast them with a signature two-touch spinning back kick. He literally proves that he's The Real Deal . This also applies to the common keyboard-warriors' criticism of point fighting as a light contact sport, suggesting these guys can't really fight. If that was the case, then Raymond Daniels wouldn't have been able to make a successful transition to full-contact including a Bellator Kickboxing World Championship, a knockout-of-the-century highlight with a 720 punch during a Bellator MMA bout, and now being signed to Karate Combat. 1. Steve "Nasty" Anderson How can a nickname not be the best ever when it literally becomes that person's first name? I don't think I have ever heard anyone refer to Steve Anderson as "Steve Anderson", it is ALWAYS Nasty . This dude was bigger than everybody, stronger than everybody, and beat up just about everybody during his point fighting career. If an opponent went down after a clash, he would go down with them just so they would feel his weight and have to expend even more energy to get back up. Not only was he tough, but he had all the skills to back it up. His lethal blitz helped him win a ridiculous 92 consecutive tournaments... AS A BROWN BELT. He was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame in 1982 as the Competitor of the Year. His nickname didn't just apply to his Nasty skills and Nasty toughness, it applied to his mind games as well. Richard Plowden once told me on The Jackson Rudolph Podcast that he would call opponents at 3:00 AM the night before a tournament just to get in their head. You'll have to listen to the whole episode to know exactly what he would tell them, as it isn't necessarily PG-13. We also have to give a shoutout to the mother of his instructor, Orned "Chicken" Gabriel (a great nickname in its own right), who gave Nasty his legendary nickname. All these factors combined, with the fact that he is one of the all-time greats who many argue should even be considered the GOAT, Nasty is the only right answer to come in at number one on this countdown. I know I probably missed some great nicknames during this discussion, and I haven't even covered the forms and weapons competitors yet! I encourage you to share this article on social media and let me know what other great point fighter nicknames are out there. If there's enough support, a countdown of the top forms and weapons competitor nicknames may be on the way!

Let me tell you something you already know. Every martial art is about more than just physical training. It is mental as well. Even if you study the most battle hardened real world combative system, there is still an emphasis on taking action rather than allowing panic to freeze you in place. Your mind cannot be allowed to hold your body back from what needs to be done. Turn your heads towards the Japanese styles and you'll see not only the same importance allotted to the correct mindset, you'll also see that various terms are coined for the important aspects of the martial artist's mind. While there are several mindsets in martial arts that are crucial for success, the ones we are focusing on today are Mushin, Shoshin, Fudoshin, and Zanshin. Ready to unlock these mental skills? Let's go. Mushin - The Mind of No Mind Think back to a time when you had to urgently make a major decision. There are multiple ways people respond to such a situation, however the worst one is to allow paralysis to settle in. We get afraid of making the wrong choice and thus we make no choice (which is totally still making a choice...). Or we over analyze and, still, stay stuck trying to process everything in front of us. Neither of these options are great. In fact, they are downright terrible. Mushin is a Japanese term that translates to "the mind of no mind." It is a state of mind where one is free from distractions and emotions, and able to act instinctively and without hesitation. It’s a dichotomy of full concentration and release/acceptance of the moment. The mindset of mushin is critical in martial arts, as it allows a martial artist to respond quickly and effectively to their opponent. To achieve Mushin, one can practice meditation and focused training. Cultivate a mind that can obtain stillness when movement and chaos is happening externally. Learn how to turn it on and stay dialed into your body when doing monotonous tasks or abstaining from physical action. Stillness in motion. Motion in stillness. It requires an ability to clear one's mind and focus on the present moment. Not past mistakes or future worries. In martial arts, Mushin is often achieved during sparring or fighting, where the martial artist is fully focused on their opponent and able to react instinctively. The challenge entices the moment of flow. Shoshin - The Beginner's Mind Shoshin is a Zen concept that translates to "the beginner's mind." It is a state of mind where one is open to learning and willing to receive new information without preconceived ideas or biases. This mindset is essential in martial arts, as it allows a martial artist to continue to learn and grow. To achieve Shoshin, one must let go of preconceived notions and be open to new ideas and experiences. In martial arts, this means being willing to try new techniques and approaches, even if they are different from what you have learned before. It also means being humble and acknowledging that there is always more to learn. Step out of your comfort zone and try a new skill. This can be within the realm of martial arts, but doesn't necessarily have to be. It is only a foolish man who thinks he has all the wisdom the world has to offer. Keep learning. Keep growing. Fudoshin - The Immovable Mind Fudoshin is a Japanese term that translates to "the immovable mind." It is a state of mind where one is calm and focused, even in the face of danger or adversity. This mindset is critical in martial arts, as it allows a martial artist to remain calm and focused under pressure. Move with bravery in your heart, especially when the fingers of fear try to seize your heart. To achieve Fudoshin, one must practice discipline and training. It requires an ability to control one's emotions and remain calm in stressful situations. In martial arts, this means staying focused and alert during sparring or fighting and not becoming overly emotional or reactive. When you raise your fists, you must also lower your temper and ego. An upset fighter is one who no longer has control over their actions. Zanshin - The Remaining Mind Zanshin is a Japanese term that translates to "the remaining mind." It is a state of mind where one is aware of their surroundings even after an action is completed. This mindset is essential in martial arts, as it allows a martial artist to be aware of their opponent's movements and ready to respond. To achieve Zanshin, one must practice mindfulness and training. It requires an ability to stay focused and aware even after a move has been completed. In martial arts, this means being aware of your surroundings and your opponent's movements, even after a move has been completed. When you strike successfully, don't lose your concentration by needlessly celebrating. Live in the moment and stay ready for whatever you need to do next. Concluding Thoughts In conclusion, the mindsets of Mushin, Shoshin, Fudoshin, and Zanshin are crucial for success in martial arts and in life. Each mindset has its unique benefits and can be achieved through training and discipline. By adopting these mindsets and incorporating them into your martial arts training, you can improve your focus, discipline, and ability to respond quickly and effectively to your opponent. Remember, martial arts are not just about physical techniques, but also about developing the right mindset to achieve success. Anybody can move their limbs. That's called bad dancing. If you are a martial artist, integrate your heart with your hands and use your techniques to paint a visual for every onlooker. Involve your mind and then you can call what you do truly high level.

It's been reported that Michael DePasquale Jr., a fixture on the East Coast martial arts scene for nearly five decades, has passed away at the age of 70. DePasquale learned Japanese style jujutsu from his father, Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame member Michael Sr. DePasquale Jr. headed up his father's yoshitsune jujutsu system writing several books on the style and other facets of self defense. He was an occasional guest on various television shows providing tips on personal safety and was the publisher of his own martial arts magazine, "Karate International." A stunt coordinator for martial arts scenes in several movies, DePasquale Jr. was known for presenting seminars in fight film choreography through his Action Film Academy. He served for several years as a mixed martial arts judge in his home state of New Jersey having officiated at a number of UFC shows.

Francis Ngannou, the biggest free agent in mixed martial arts history, has finally found a new home signing with the Professional Fighters League . Ngannou is expected to debut in the PFL's pay-per-view "Super Fight Division" some time in 2024. Ngannou abdicated his position as UFC heavyweight champion when his contract with the company expired and the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new deal in January. One sticking point seemed to be Ngannou's desire to also compete outside the UFC in boxing matches. The new PFL deal will allow him the freedom to box and he's expected to have a match in that sport this year. Though heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and former champion Deontay Wilder have been teased as possible foes, so far no opponent or date have been named. Ngannou characterised the new deal as more than anyone else had offered him with reports saying that he'll be guaranteed a high 7-figure purse for each fight with the PFL. Additionally, Ngannou will have the right to secure his own sponsors, will have a role on the PFL's advisory board and serve as chairman of PFL Africa as the company seeks to expand it's operations into that continent.

If you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet you love martial arts movies. In the 80s and 90s, there were a ton of blockbuster films to hit the big screen. Now we have movies like the John Wick franchise and the IP Man saga to name a couple. However, overall, it seems fewer big-budget martial arts films are making it into theatres. Not to fret though, there are still a lot of flicks being made. They’re just made with lower budgets and find their footing on various streaming platforms. Chances are you may have come across any number of these movies on platforms such as Amazon, Netflix or free services such as Tubi or Pluto. We even have a place for you to watch movies here at Black Belt Magazine (Black Belt +)! Because so many new platforms need content, more and more people are working to make their own movies. Unfortunately, the pay for these filmmakers and all involved is typically much lower than in the “old days,” but the positive is that many more people have a shot than ever would have in days gone by. One of the main reasons people can shoot their own movies is that the cost to make a movie can be pennies on the dollar compared to big-budget films of the 80s. It used to be that “films” were actually shot on film . And you may not be aware of this, but the cost of the film itself was enough to keep many people from ever even considering making a movie. Now, in comparison, most movie shoots are recorded on reusable memory cards that cost very little. Another limiting factor was obtaining a camera. Cameras used to be hugely expensive monstrosities. Sure, there are rental houses, but the cost was still high, and the technical know-how was through the roof. Now, filmmakers shoot movies on either DSLR or Mirrorless cameras that can be purchased for less than $900. There are even filmmakers out there that shoot movies on their Androids and iPhones. As you can see, the cost of the film and cameras have all but been eliminated as an excuse for not making a movie. For those who already knew or suspected this, have you ever thought of building a team and shooting your own marital arts action movie? If so, I’m talking directly to you. If not, I hope you’ll stick around to get a glimpse behind the curtain and see how some films from one of your favorite genres come to life. Before going forward, please understand this is meant to share some broad strokes and give a high-altitude aerial view of the movie-making process. This is not an all-inclusive instruction manual, and I do not claim for this to be the way. Though I have been involved in the entertainment industry in one facet or another since 2000, I know I still have a lot to learn. Today, I simply intend to impart some lessons I have learned along the way as an actor, writer, and ultimately a filmmaker. I’ll be sharing several resources that have helped me on my way in hopes they will assist those who dream of shooting a movie. I would be remiss if I didn’t start by mentioning Dov S. S. Simens 2-day Film School . This course can be completed in person or at home via DVD or streaming. You can check it out here: TWO-DAY FILM SCHOOL As mentioned before, I started acting professionally in the year 2000. I was in the theatre and worked my way into film in Los Angeles. I’ve played supporting and leading roles on stage and in feature films, but I recently decided to start making my own movies. That’s when I began a search for an educational program that could help expedite the learning curve and help me get to making content faster. That search led me to find the Two-Day Film School. Look, I don’t get a dime from referring people to it or any of the resources I’ll be mentioning. My aim is to help people like you fulfill your dream of making a movie. If you’ve never made a movie and are serious about giving it a go, I can’t recommend that product highly enough. Since going through it, I have written an award-winning feature screenplay entitled “Savage Pawn,” as well as an award-winning short film that I additionally produced, directed, and edited called “Unus Polulus.” None of that would have happened had it not been for going through that program. All of this was done during the early phase of the pandemic and completed with very little money. My point in mentioning this is simply if you want to do it, it is possible. Now, let’s take an overview of the process and see if this is a race you want to run…If not, you’re about to go on a behind-the-scenes tour of how a movie gets made. First, you need an idea. If you intend to make a movie, you need to have a passion for telling a story. I imagine that you have an idea floating around in your head. What is that story you want to tell? You may already have character ideas and settings or events in mind. But first, you should boil down what your idea/movie is about into 1-2 sentences. The result is what is known as a logline. The logline should express who is facing what challenge, how they got there, and who or what is standing in their way. Once you’ve established this, you will want to move on to writing your screenplay. Before that step, however, you should write a treatment. The treatment is anywhere from 5-10 pages. It includes the title that you’ve come up with. It also includes your previously developed logline. Then you tell the overarching story. This is written as you would expect it to read as a short story. Characters are described, along with major challenges, and overcoming obstacles are all included in the treatment. After the treatment is completed, now it’s time to write the screenplay. One of the most popular resources for formulating your screenplay is a book called “ Save the Cat .” This is a great read and guide for someone writing their first script. I won’t pretend to tell you how to write a script. Rather, I strongly recommend you read “Save the Cat” and apply what you learn. When it comes time to start pecking away at the keyboard and quite literally write your script, you need to know that there is a specific format and software for writing screenplays. The industry standard is Final Draft . You can obtain it for around $200. Be aware, though, that there are other options you can use. I personally use a paid version of Writer Duet . Before signing up for their software, I used a free screenplay writing online program called Celtx , which worked very well. You can choose whatever software fits your budget. Just know ahead of time that a program like Final Draft is advantageous for some production programs you may wish to use later when scheduling your shoot, etc. However, programs such as Writer Duet can typically be exported to Final Draft format should you want to transition later. Once your script is in place, it’s time to start filling the roles. This is a process called Casting. There are companies that will do this audition process for you. They bring in actors to try out for the roles and present who they feel is best for your project to you. Or you can take control from the beginning. It really depends upon the production level and your budget if you will use a casting company or not. I will say an advantage to using casting services is that they often already know a ton of great people who can help make your movie more successful, but it is an added cost. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not to use an outside professional. Next, you’ll have to choose your locations. This is “where” you’re going to be shooting the scenes. I should also mention that, when crafting a script, people will often write with the understanding of the locations available to them, shaping the script. This is more vital when budgets are small and certain locations can be used for little or no money. I mention this to share that the exact order of these steps can vary depending on the particular situation. Like the availability of locations, you may already have people in mind for playing roles, which can shape how you write the characters. At this point, you have your script, actors, and locations. Before shooting the movie, it’s best to have some rehearsalperiods for the fight scenes you intend to shoot and, if you can, for the basic dialogue scenes. This isn’t always possible, but it saves a ton of time on set. That’s important because when you’re on set, even with a small crew, you still easily have a dozen people waiting around if there is a snafu in a fight scene that needs to be worked out, or an actor is not delivering as they should. Your rehearsals may or may not be at the actual shoot location. It is ideal if they are, but budget and time constraints often make this impossible. In either case, rehearse what you can before shoot days, especially fight scenes . This also allows the DP (Director of photography…person running the camera) to see what will happen in the scene and start thinking of how to capture the action best. Another thing you will want to organize before you’re ready to roll is called a shot list. This is basically a list of everything the director needs to catch on camera and audio to patch together later in the process to complete the movie. You do this by going through the script scene by scene and envisioning how you want it to look as the finished product on the big screen. As you imagine the finished movie, you write down what shots and audio clips you need to gather for each scene. After you have the list, you compile them by cross-referencing location availability with actor availability and figure out which shots to shoot on which days and where. (This is one of those scheduling issues that the previously mentioned production software can be beneficial in using.) This necessity for logistics in scheduling forces the vast majority of movies to be shot out of sequence. And because they are shot out of chronological order, it makes maintaining continuity more challenging and means avoiding injuries is even more important in every production. While we’re on the subject of injuries, it is strongly advised to have production insurance in case of any mishaps. Things can happen, no matter how careful you are, so you should have a policy in place. Now, we will move on and assume you’ve completed shooting your entire movie. It’s “in the can,” as they say. Make sure to back up all your video and audio files, and then you’re ready to edit. Of course, if your budget permits, you can hire out to make this happen. If not, editing today is much easier than in the old days. Back then, they literally “cut” film and taped together the pieces to make a flowing movie. Now it’s usually done on a computer and is extremely easy compared to back then. The industry standard for editing is Final Cut or Premiere Pro . That said, there are many other options that can be had for less than $100 or even nothing. I edited my short film with eight-year-old Sony Vegas Studio software that was about $50 on a nine-year-old $740 laptop. Was it the best option? Of course not, but it was my only option. Did it get the job done? Yes. (And mind you, this was all done during lockdown in 2020). My point is that you probably have a cellphone with camera, a laptop and $50 for some software. Can you see how it really is possible if you’re driven and creative? Once you finalize the edit it’s time to hit festivals, get distribution, and release your movie. (It is wise to have distribution plans in mind before, during, and after shooting your film if you plan to make money with your project.) Festivals have many benefits, including being a way to see your movie on the big screen. They are also an excellent way to incentivize actors and get others to help with your project if you cannot pay much up front. If people know they’ll see the fruits of their labor on the silver screen, they’re more likely to step up and lend a hand, building their body of work in the process. A great place to check out potential festivals is https://filmfreeway.com/festivals . You’ll find festivals worldwide and some that may even cater to the niche of your project. That said, festivals are optional. The biggest thing I’ve discovered from festivals is that they can be great networking opportunities for those done in person . When you complete your festival run, if you’re doing one, it’s time to get your movie distributed. That will likely be the biggest challenge. One place that is a common go-to for that purpose is at the American Film Market or AFM for short. AFM is an event where filmmakers try and sell their movies and get distribution, along with various networking events. Admittedly, I can’t tell you exactly how to make that happen, as that’s the step I have yet to personally master. I will, however, say that should you be unable to get a distributor and get your film on a platform such as Netflix, Tubi, or similar, you can always release it yourself on a platform like YouTube. Sure, it doesn’t have the clout or bragging rights like the others, but your work and your team’s work are out there. You will have made a movie for the world to see. You’ve created art for all to enjoy. Now, to make a living at it, you’ll need to master the final step of distribution. There you have it. Now you know the basics of how to make your own martial arts action movie. It’s a grueling and exciting process. Many people think about it, but few actually do it. Are you one of the few? Salute, Ian Lauer Acting Experience 3rd Degree Black Belt American Kenpo 1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do 1st Degree Black Belt Hapkido 1st Degree Black Belt Coszacks Karate Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Ever since I joined the adult (women’s) division in 2015, the winners of the CMX (creative, musical, extreme) divisions and the winners of the traditional division have competed head-to-head. To give a little bit of background, all the “CMX” divisions are high intensity, fast paced, and depending on the specific division won, could be done to music as well as incorporating acrobatic type movements. The traditionalist either showcase a wushu, Korean, Japanese, or kenpo styled routine. In the traditional forms the movements are generally performed slower (but with equal power) and have a specific set pace and moments for yells (kias). It’s safe to say that the two categories are extremely different and deserve their own sperate grand champion division and spotlight. In fact, in the men’s division (for both forms and weapons) the categories are separated. This also gives the male competitors who chose to do both CMX and traditional forms (and weapons) more of an opportunity to earn more prize money. This doesn’t seem too fair to me. Besides the points mentioned, another reason they should be separated is because they don’t get the respect they individually deserve. From a CMX competitors’ perspective it is very difficult to execute an “extreme” type form- you have to worry about stumbling out of tricks, making sure the cleanliness of your lines are on point, pointing toes on tricks, and keeping the intense pace for over a minute. Not to mention staying on beat with the music if the competitors choose to use music. If you have a weapon in your hand, you must worry about not dropping the weapon during a release, roll, or manipulation or else you will be automatically disqualified. In my younger junior days, I used to compete in traditional forms but not to the level like they are performed now. When executing a traditional form however, the competitor needs to make sure they are following the proper pacing the routine is designed to performed. They also need to make sure that they are sticking their stances for long periods of time (a real leg workout). The traditional forms showcase both grace and intensity. This leads me to my next point, separating the two negates the thought of “it’s a traditional night versus and extreme night.” What I mean by this is that given the panel of judges for the night time grand champion divisions, sometimes a judge may favor a traditional form over a CMX form and vice versa. If it becomes a trend throughout the course of the night show that the judges are picking a certain type of competitor over the other, then it becomes either a “traditional night” or a “CMX night.” If NASKA separated the categories, it would give the competitors a fair chance and like mentioned earlier be appreciated for the elements each bring. A quick comparison would be judging a hip hop dancer against a ballet dancer. The two are totally different but ironically do a good job of symbolizing what I am trying to convey. With the help of sharing this article with your friends, family, and fellow competitors, I hope it brings light to the situation. As a competitor myself, this is one of the changes I wish to see. This article in no way states that one is harder than the other, nor should be reflected in that case. This article is simply written from an adult female competitors perspective who is a martial arts competition lover that wants to help make the sport grow.

There are some incredible action stars that showcase amazing martial arts skills and display serious acting chops. Their fights are believable and technically impressive. On top of that, you believe what they’re saying and their emotions are genuine. I’m here today to tell you that achieving that combination of fighting on film proficiency and expression of emotional truth is much harder to master than many give these folks credit for. Look, there are tons of well-known actors that you would likely agree are “believable.” When you see them on the screen, what they’re saying seems to be their thoughts, and the emotions that come with the dialog ring true. You can probably name dozens of actors and recognize over a hundred that you would even say are good. They may not be your favorite, but you can agree they are at least believable. Now, I want you to think of all the martial arts action stars you can. Although you love martial arts action movies, you probably have only a handful that comes to mind. You have Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Cynthia Rothrock, and Jean-Claude Van Damme to name a few. Of course, there are others, but it’s likely you won’t get past a dozen martial arts movie stars that arestrong at both acting and fighting on filmbefore you can’t think of anymore. How many were you able to think of that are both proficient martial artists and strong actors? Why the mental exercise? My point is finding people that are both strong actors and incredible marital artists is a tall task. This could be due to a small pool of people that do both, but I believe there is more to it. There is a situation I refer to as “conflicting duality,” which makes being a good marital arts actor harder than most any other genre. I use this term “conflicting duality” to express the idea of living through two diametrically opposed expressions simultaneously. You may wonder what this has to do with being in a “karate movie.” Well, in martial arts films, one of the main focuses is fighting. The fights should be exciting, believable, and often technically precise for those wishing to display their art on film. And when performing these fight scenes, one of the main focuses is necessarily the safety of all involved. This means that the actors must be in complete control of their physical actions. The slightest error or unplanned improvisation can lead to disaster. You may have heard of the term “continuity” in the movie world. It’s easiest to explain by sharing what broken continuity looks like when watching a movie. Let’s say you watch a movie where a character is wearing a red ballcap and glasses, and then when they cut to the next angle, he’s wearing a cowboy hat and no glasses. In that moment, you have witnessed a continuity error. Now, if you take that lesson and know that movies are almost never shot in chronological order, a broken nose for an actor can ruin continuity in a flash and weeks of work can be destroyed. Just imagine if a character in a movie wakes up with a broken nose and in a scene later that night it’s unblemished. As you can see, being in complete control of oneself is of the utmost importance for the safety of the actors and for the overall success of the movie. Now, on the flip side, actors frequently try to let go of all inhibitions and allow themselves complete freedom to react genuinely in any given moment. Different actors, of course, have different approaches, but letting the emotions run rampant and allowing one’s reactions to be genuine are imperative for a strong acting performance. In other words, the actor works to be completely out of control of his emotions and reactions , allowing them to be as real as possible. Can you see how the out-of-control emotions fly directly in the face of the complete control needed for the physical aspect of the acting? At this moment, the actor is in a situation where he must completely let go of the emotional control and maintain complete mastery of the physical. Not everyone that can step up to this challenge…to this conflicting duality . This is one of the main reasons it is hard to find actors that are both extremely proficient at their art and believable emotionally. Not only are they forced to live as someone else, but they’re also now tasked with being that person and simultaneously performing two completely opposite actions. That said, there are some amazing martial arts actors out there. They amaze us with their technical skills, draw us in, and make us feel all that they experience in every moment of the movie. The take-home message today is simply to appreciate these amazing artists. They find a way to walk that line and do the near impossible all the while inspiring each and every one of us to give it our all both in and outside of the dojo. Salute, Ian Lauer Acting Experience 3rd Degree Black Belt American Kenpo 1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do 1st Degree Black Belt Hapkido 1st Degree Black Belt Coszacks Karate Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What movie has martial arts, a famous Asian martial arts-action star, and is about a multiverse? If you guessed Everything Everywhere All at Once , you would be right, but there was another movie with those same credentials back in 2001, The One , starring Jet Li. If you missed it, it’s no wonder, it may have gotten lost amid two big franchises releasing their first installments, TheLord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Heck, I missed it myself when it initially came out. It wasn’t until I started studying the art of Xing Yi Quan, that I was made aware of it. A friend of mine that studied internal martial arts said, “Hey, you want to see some great Xing Yi? Check out the movie The One with Jet Li.” I did and he was right. In The One , Jet Li’s character, Yulaw, is trying to bump off the other versions of himself that exist in other parallel universes. When he is the only one, he will be the most powerful. While there are wormholes, special agents trying to stop him, and a lot of exposition about the rules of the multiverse, the main thing to watch is Jet Li, as he exhibits some remarkable Xing Yi and Bagua Zhang techniques. Xing Yi and Bagua Zhang Two martial arts that you don’t hear about as often as some others are Xing Yi Quan and Bagua Zhang. Both are internal martial arts and along with Tai Chi Quan, make up the three main Chinese internal martial arts styles. While most readers are likely familiar, at least in passing, with Tai Chi, the styles of Xing Yi and Bagua may not be as well-known. Speaking broadly, the main characteristic of Xing Yi is its linear approach. The motion is straightforward and striking is done with explosive energy. Bagua is characterized by a circular motion and its use of palm strikes. Both styles have a long and rich history. I studied Xing Yi, and as a practitioner, I am delighted when it occasionally shows up on the screen. To see the explosive punching and varied applications of the movements is always a treat. Except for The One, I have only ever seen Xing Yi or Bagua used specifically in Asian action films, most notably in The Grandmaster (2013) and the Ip Man films with Donnie Yen. Jet Li’s Greatest Enemy Is Himself For Yulaw, (The evil Jet Li) to become all-powerful, he must defeat the last version of himself that is left, Gabe (The good Jet Li). There are some great fights with cops trying to stop Yulaw and even a couple of skirmishes with cars and motorcycles, but the set piece is the match between Jet Li and himself. A stunt double was used, and their face was digitally altered and replaced with Li’s. For the main fight, the differences between the two characters that Jet Li plays are further distinguished by having Yulaw use the explosive and aggressive style of Xing Yi and Gabe use the more circular and sophisticated, Bagua. It is interesting that a conscious decision was made based on each character’s personality, rather than just random techniques that look good. The action in The One is crisp and precise, and my friend wasn’t lying, it is some of the best Xing Yi I’ve ever seen on film. (It is Jet Li, after all) And the same goes for his Bagua Zhang. Jet Li uses the techniques in applications that show their power and that both arts, while often heralded as being great for exercise and health, are at their core, combat arts: They are for fighting. If I have one complaint about The One , it is that costar Jason Statham is underutilized. He is mainly the exposition vehicle for the explanation of the multiverse and the rules of the game, as it were, but I would have loved to see him do more in the movie. We do get to see Statham and Li together again in War (2007) , which is worth checking out if you haven’t seen it. Tidbits from the Multiverse The DVD version that I used to own, was packed with extras and had some interesting features and documentaries on the making of the movie, and you can find many, but not all of them, on YouTube. For The One, the martial arts choreography was done by Corey Yuen, no stranger to martial arts action or Jet Li movies for that matter, having directed Legend (1993) withJet Liand Transporter (2002) with Jason Statham, to name a couple of his films. Incidentally, to bring everything back to the beginning, and the idea that maybe we are in some kind of multiverse, Mr. Yuen’s assistant for the film The One was Ke Huy Quan, who just won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once .

Martial arts is a discipline that requires focus, dedication, and continuous learning. To take your skills to the next level, you may consider traveling overseas for martial art training. Speaking personally, training overseas was one of the most impactful decisions I made in my martial art journey. But enough about me! Overseas martial art training can be surprisingly affordable. In some countries, the cost of living, and also the cost of training, is lower. Additionally, many training facilities offer discounted rates for long-term training and sometimes even lodging. This can make overseas martial art training a cost-effective way to take your skills to the next level. Improved Physical Fitness Traveling overseas for martial art training can also help you improve your physical fitness. Training in a new environment can challenge your body in new ways and help you break through plateaus. Additionally, some countries have a more active lifestyle, which can help you stay active and healthy even outside of training. Meet Other Martial Artists from Around the World Overseas martial art training provides a great opportunity to meet other martial artists from around the world. This can be an incredible experience where you can make lifelong connections with people who share the same passion as you. You will have the chance to exchange techniques, learn from each other, and even train together. This can also be a great opportunity to learn about different cultures, languages, and customs from other martial artists. Break the Routine Traveling overseas for martial art training can help break the routine of your daily training. Training in the same place with the same people every day can become monotonous, and this can lead to a plateau in your training progress. By training overseas, you expose yourself to new environments, training styles, and techniques. This can keep your training fresh and exciting and help you break through any training plateaus. Learn a New Language I won't lie...Traveling to a country where the native language is not your own can be an extremely daunting idea. With that being said, it can also be the push you need to learn a new language. It's no surprise that learning a new language can be beneficial for both your personal and professional life, and it can also enhance your martial art training. You will be able to communicate better with your training partners and instructors, and you will also be able to read martial art texts in their original language, giving you a deeper understanding of the art. Gain Confidence and Independence Traveling overseas for martial art training can be an opportunity to gain confidence and independence. Being away from your familiar surroundings can be challenging, but it can also be empowering. You will learn to navigate new places, communicate with people who speak a different language, and make decisions on your own. Talk about injecting a super boost to your self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Conclusion Traveling overseas for martial art training can be a transformative experience that enhances your martial arts skills, broadens your knowledge, and deepens your understanding of the art. It provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet other martial artists from around the world, and develop valuable life skills. If you are looking for new ways to take your martial art training to the next level, consider traveling overseas for an unforgettable experience.

How is social media relevant for growth of the organization. Are Martial Arts Associations relevant anymore? I wrote an article for Black Belt Magazine where I tried to determine the relevancy of today’s Martial Arts Associations. By relevancy, I mean what value do these associations provide to their membership. The days of simply providing or acknowledging rank are far behind us with most association members (re: customers) demanding more for their involvement … and their disposal income. While there are several levels of Martial Arts Associations, in this article we are referring primarily to those associations which for the most part have no governmental relationships, are founded, and run by high ranking, long time Martial Artists. These associations usually come about due to some dissatisfaction with the politics of a previous association and look to likeminded schools and individuals for membership purposes. While ranking and setting grading standards will always be the focus for most martial arts associations, they are finding that in order to provide additional value to their members, more content and support is now required. Determining what type of content and support will be a daunting task and could require a major paradigm shift in how martial arts associations operate going forward. When trying to determine how best to utilize social media for the purpose of keeping a Martial Arts Association viable, we first looked at how martial arts schools are presently leveraging online resources. Since the pandemic, martial arts schools have turned to a variety of tools like social media and customized websites to grow their business. In my research, I watched MAIA Consultant Cris Rodriguez’s webinars on how best to leverage social media for martial arts schools. I was both impressed and intrigued by her excellent (and very detailed) strategy on using Facebook and other similar social media platforms in order to garner more business for the martial arts school owner, regardless of the style being taught. What really interested me the most was whether this martial arts school strategy could be used by Martial Arts Associations in order to broaden their appeal. Coincidently, while I was researching for this article, I was asked by the head of the WJKA Martial Arts Association to write a business blog on martial arts for their WJKA Member Newsletter. This then made me wonder if a Social Media strategy could be developed for Martial Arts Associations. Extensively leveraging social media is now a necessity for any business especially considering its overall influence on marketing trends. For this reason, I reached out to both Cris Rodriguez and the Directors of the WJKA in order to get their perspectives. Cris was generous with her time and was able to provide an excellent overview on how Martial Arts Associations should leverage social media and their general online presence. My session with the WJKA Directors was just as enlightening, especially considering their struggles in modernising their association’s focus and marketing strategies. Will leveraging social media provide value? When examining social media strategies for associations as opposed to school owners, we see the main difference being the solicitation efforts of the associations which is more business focused. With associations, their main solicitation efforts are towards schools more so than individual memberships, as opposed to schools who are looking to sign up new students. In our interview, Cris mentioned that while the main social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are used extensively, this is not true of You-Tube, especially where businesses are concerned. Whereas Facebook videos average anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, the average You-Tube video is just under 15 minutes, making it ideal for lectures or training videos, which is where associations can provide great value. CR: Not only is it possible for Martial Arts Associations to use social media, I feel it is a necessity for them to focus on social media. There are so many different and positive aspects to it. And the main one is that it is free. Having Facebook accounts, TikTok accounts, Instagram accounts or a You Tube account does not cost you anything and in fact You-Tube is one of the platforms Associations do not properly leverage. You Tube is great for teachers, for coaches or even consultants. Seeing that Martial Arts Associations deal primarily with schools more so than individual members, they must ensure that all marketing and solicitation is directed towards the proper audience. For potential new member schools to consider joining your association you need to use existing member testimonials where the prospect school sees the benefits of joining your association. Today, using social media is by far the best place to focus your marketing so associations must leverage the vast experience of their existing membership in order to place your association at the “top of mind” of your potential new member. Content is where Associations can provide the best value to its membership. There should be a well-defined and documented effort to ensure proper content is posted. Of course, some posts simply do not attract much ‘engagement’ so it’s best to reach out to the membership to determine what today’s member wants to see or read. WJKA: We try to use social media where we can and while we review social media sites daily, we don’t post much as we don’t know what our membership wants from us. So, while we struggle with content, we feel this is because of a lack of communication as we don’t know what the membership wants us to post about. We also feel that some of our membership may be a bit intimidated by the breadth of senior karate-ka within the WJKA, so they are hesitant to submit materials to our association newsletter. CR: There are just so many positives to using social media and the fact that it literally only costs your time, it makes it an absolute necessity…and this is true for any business… in order to stay relevant. One of my favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein, who said “don’t try to become a person of success but try to become a person of value,” and one of the biggest aspects of social media is content creation. For associations to properly leverage social media, they need provide such engaging material that the membership reaches out for more. As ‘value engagement’ is the primary goal for associations, a cohesive online presence is essential. WJKA: We feel using social media and a more interactive website may allow us inroads into the member school’s student population. While the WJKA initially focused on having organizations as a member, in today’s tech savvy society, we now feel we need to focus on the individual members as well, and we can do so by leveraging social media. There may be individuals who are interested in the WJKA even though their school may not. CR: Being able to provide educational and entertaining content is very important. We use the term “edutainment” when we are teaching young children. There are a lot of different types of posts you can do. Whether it is motivational quotes, sharing stories or simple answering frequently asked questions, you can use social media to share experiences. You can do Facebook live, you can do webinars, podcasts or even interview school owners. The reputations of martial arts associations have taken a hit over years due to the normal state of ego politics that is the martial arts industry. This requires the well-established associations to make themselves known to potential members. The best way for these respected organizations to promote themselves, to build their “Brand,” is to provide quality knowledge and experience via the various online platforms. Brand awareness is paramount to today’s sophisticated Consumer. People must recognize your name, your logo, your business paradigm or whatever your association is using to identify itself by. Most associations need to carefully segment their prospective “customer” and then make themselves a consideration based on how the prospective member perceives your associations ’s value message. WJKA: This is the main problem we have here in Europe in that the WJKA affiliate schools/organizations do not wish to enroll their students nor provide us with their email address for newsletter and notification purposes. We at the WJKA must figure out how to overcome the school owner’s biases and allow all their students to sign up to the WJKA so they also enjoy all the benefits the WJKA can offer. CR: In regards to an Association trying to get new members, you can’t get members if they are not aware of you. So, you’ve got to get “Awareness” and that’s where we have our different marketing strategies. From the awareness, you’re not the only association out there, so what are you going to do to make me consider your association versus other associations…and one of the best things to do is to have case studies, and testimonials of success stories of your current members. We’ve got to get you to become a member and we do that by showcasing the value. How to overcome communications issues and increase influence? Providing value through ranking, in-person seminars and tournaments are the obvious avenues, but as we have stressed throughout this article, an online presence will be the future for associations. As to what additional value could an association provide their membership, we have already listed a myriad of options, nevertheless an association should still regularly survey their membership, due to ever changing considerations of what constitutes value. WJKA: We (as the WJKA) can provide our members with our knowledge and experience. Unfortunately, when we do share our knowledge and experience, we get almost no feedback from our members. So, we feel that the problem is that there are no real communications. We have almost no contact with the membership. It is hard to get the schools to change their way. CR: Using social media will help associations increase their “Brand” awareness. It allows them to establish themselves as experts within their community. Posting on social media allows you to stay “Top in Mind” because people are constantly seeing you. There is a Customer Journey that Cris Rodriguez emphasizes where “awareness” is the first step in that journey. This part of the customer journey is where martial arts associations need to emphasis their new prospect solicitations. Awareness to a martial arts association is the degree to which a potential member sees benefits in belonging to a community of likeminded enthusiasts. This lack of awareness can even occur within an association’s existing membership. In order to retain commitment from an association’s member schools, a coordinated marketing effort would allow both the member schools as well as the association itself to solicit for new students and members respectively. This coordinated level of commitment on the part of the association to provide a foundational infrastructure (e.g.: Syllabus and Ranking criteria) as well as support for the member school’s business requirements will ensure the viability of an association for years to come. WJKA: What we at the senior level of the WJKA realize is that we are not good managers. We may be quality instructors, (sensei), and extremely knowledgeable about the karate we teach, unfortunately as business managers, we are not so good. We feel associations like ours need to hire a professional Manager.” With all this experience within the WJKA community, we need someone to catalogue this experience and use it to organize seminars, lectures, gradings and tournaments. Too many of us dedicated long time martial artists have great experiences, but most of us cannot write about it. We must be honest with ourselves so; we need someone to help us write up our experiences for the newsletter or even for lectures we could put on. In fact, even trying to put out a regular newsletter can be both difficult and time consuming. Once you start falling behind, you can never get caught up, so we feel an experienced business Manager would be able to ensure everyone submits their article on time, etc. The position would follow up with each member school for information about their school and its events over the upcoming year. Just keeping on top of the various asks of the member schools is a full-time task. The position would have huge responsibilities managing all the business requirements of the association’s local and international affairs . Summary and Next Steps In reviewing the relevancy of well-established martial arts associations, the consensus is that if value can be conveyed continually to its paying membership, then associations have a place in the ongoing dissemination of time-honored martial art traditions. Ranking and syllabus development should remain the primary focus of martial art associations. Since social media has become such an integral part of our lives, it is imperative that martial arts associations leverage this new paradigm in order to expand this focus, to expand its relevance, to become more transparent to its members, and leverage this new philosophy in its ongoing marketing strategies. As mentioned, associations will need to develop their brand by leveraging the knowledge, experience and reputation of their founders and leaders. While using social media will allow for associations to market this, unfortunately many well-established associations do not maintain a proper business infrastructure which has resulted in a lack of awareness of an association’s potential. The hiring of a manager with extensive business experience (communications or social media) should be a priority consideration if these long-established associations wish to remain part of the tomorrow’s martial arts industry. Making the decision to implement a comprehensive social media strategy starts with an equality all-encompassing marketing plan. Here are five standard business steps that should be included as part of your association’s new member solicitation marketing plan. Step One: Determine your Business Goals Before you put money and effort into your marketing plan, you must determine what you wish to accomplish. Some examples are Increase number of affiliates schools. Increase number of individual members. Establish association brand awareness. Expand to new markets. Generate new source of revenue. Step Two: Develop KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) Once you have decided your goals, you must now determine what constitutes success. This success can be both numerical (e.g., add 10 new schools) or simply to promote brand awareness. Whatever you define as success, be realistic in your goals. As a banker, I saw a lot of projections and forecasts which were unrealistic and had little chance of success. For example: considering the economic climate, a realistic goal of signing up five new member schools for the year should be attainable. If one of your goals is revenue based, then determine the number you wish to achieve and then work backwards from the number of new schools and individual members you feel you can sign up. Track these goals carefully and adjust where necessary throughout the year. Ensure you document both your successes and those KPI’s that need further review. Step Three: Build your perfect Avatar Most martial arts associations are style based, (e.g.: Shotokan, Taekwondo, BJJ) which means they are focused on a subset of the martial arts and their marketing strategy should reflect his segmentation. To ensure each marketing dollar is spent effectively, associations need to fully define who they are looking to attract as members. Developing this perfect potential member is called building a “Buyer Persona” or an ‘Avatar.’ CR: I think it is important for associations to identify who is their ideal client. We have a full sentence that explains that this is our ideal client for our company. Does that mean that is the only client you are going to attract? No! but it does allow us to put together marketing campaigns that can attract that type of client. Obviously for a martial arts association, they need to define not only the style of the school or individual but what value or solution these potential new members are looking for from your organization. This is where social media and other electronic platforms like email and SMS texting can generate a sizeable amount of engagement from an associations’ solicitations efforts. Step Four: Create a Budget While most social media can be leveraged for free, to create the biggest impact or the highest potential return on your marketing effort you will need to spend a bit of money. Whether these funds are used for buying software or actual advertising costs, ensure you have budgeted some funds to allow your marketing efforts to have the best chance of success. Step Five: Market your Uniqueness The final step is to fully define what makes your association more desirable than another association. You must document your competitive advantage which articulates why a school or an individual would want to join your organization. This is what is formally called your ‘unique value proposition’ or what I define as your “differentiator.” Develop your association’s “mission statement” and articulate it in an easily understood sentence that describes your organization’s services and benefits. WJKA: Our solicitation issues revolve around how best to properly word our communications. This again is where a professional manager could be of great value. We are planning to distribute our latest newsletter as an introduction to WJKA to any potential individual member or organization. We are also planning to use social media to post portions of the various books that the WJKA has available, which hopefully will result in interest to buy the books or possibly joining the WJKA, if not already a member. Our society is still redesigning itself post pandemic and regardless of how it turns out, we can guarantee that social media and having an on-line presence will be a major part of it. If you are a martial arts association looking to expand into new markets or simple trying to stay relevant to your existing membership, invest into social media. Put the time and effort needed to provide your expertise and knowledge to a whole new generation of martial artists. There is value in what you do, let everyone know about it using the best medium you can, which today is social media! Disclaimer Although every care has been taken by the MAPS Advisors Group Ltd., in the preparation of this publication, no warranty is given by the MAPS Advisors Group Ltd. as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained within it and the MAPS Advisors Group Ltd. shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising by virtue of such information or any instructions or advice contained within this publication or by any of the aforementioned.

First Half: Novels with Insane Fights, Weapon Delights and Crazy Plot Plights It’s 1976, Cornell University, and I’ve had a first conversation with a new friend who becomes the best man at my wedding in Taiwan in 1981. Topic? Martial arts and Bruce Lee. When he says words like Jiang Hu , Wu Lin and Wu Xia , and has no English words to describe them, he tells me about a must-see movie sponsored by the Chinese Student Association that’s playing on campus, Shui Hu Zhuan (1972; aka The Water Margin, All Men are Brothers , and Outlaws from the Marsh ). My first seen w uxia film is based on one of the most famous wuxia xiaoshuo novels in history that was completed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It blew my mind, man. After learning 1000 characters in two years in Taiwan, it was also the first wuxia novel written in simple Chinese that I could read. (Photos of Chinese and English versions are included below). Every martial arts movie ever made in the world owes its existence to one thing, Chinese Wu Xia Xiao Shuo (commonly written today as WuxiaXiaoshuo ( Wu (martial arts), Xia (chivalrous hero) Xiao (little), Shuo (story); Martial Art or Kung Fu novels). They’re epic tales of wuxia heroes that first appeared during the Zhou Dynasty’s Warring State Period ( circa 481 BC–221 BC). It was also during the Warring States period when Daoist sage Zhuangzi coined the term Jiang Hu ( Rivers and Lakes ; maybe the Yangtze river and Dongting Lake), free world rural areas where anyone can hide and do what they want without worrying about government intervention. Sounds like the puritans on the Mayflower coming to America seeking religious freedom. Zhuangzi also envisioned a place in the free world, Wu Lin (Martial Forest), where martial artists could train in peace so their martial families (not to be confused with birth families) could grow. Yet wuxia pros reached heroic proportions over a thousand years later during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907). Some folks may recall Jet Li’s film Shaolin Temple (1982) where he played one of the 13 Shaolin Heroes that helped Tang Dynasty co-founder Li Shi-min’s rise to power. Yet like many folding dynasties, near the end of Tang rule, China was in disarray, political upheaval and social chaos were on the rise, and the country needed a new brand of wuxia heroes. My English version of All Men are Brothers Novel Thus, wuxia prose gained prominence when stories began to romanticize wuxia heroes by combining altruism, exceptional martial arts skills and magical powers. Originally shared by song and oral presentations, wuxia hero stories hit the press, per se, during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), where stories appeared in what might be compared to written liner notes used by traditional Chinese storytellers during their presentations. By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), fleshed out wuxia fiction hit their written stride with the release of two major novels that became required reading in schools, The Water Margin and The Romance of the Three Kingdom . The nature of wuxia literature can be gleaned from the meaning of its Chinese characters, 武 俠. It's important that Westerners understand that although Wu is translated as martial , it does not align with Western thought, which explains why many martial arts practitioners around the world refer and infer that martial arts are war and fighting arts. Chinese Ge Battle Axe The character Wu ( 武 ) is divided into two parts, Zhi (止), which means to stop or halt , and Ge (戈; note the axe-blade looking outline) refers to fight or spear , more specifically to stop the ancient Chinese dagger-axe (above photo). Philosophically, if you must fight, it implies that it takes fighting to stop fighting, it’s akin to Bruce Lee saying his martial art is the art of fighting without fighting, which aligns with the Shaolin tenet, training not to fight. Though xia (俠) may loosely be translated as chivalrous hero , it’s more a concept than a title. Anyone with virtues such as righteousness, loyalty, generosity, faith, courage, truthfulness, honor, altruism, justice, and contempt for wealth can be described as xia. Therefore, wu with xia, explores virtuous people who accomplish good deeds via their fighting abilities and their codes of ethics, which are developed out of superior martial skills. Yet something incredibly happened by 1901, wuxia novelists reimagined Jiang Hu and Wu Lin, into glamorous fantasy worlds. Jiang Hu became an alternative society made up of beggars, martial art heroes and villains, and outcasts who coexisted with normal society yet lived by their own laws, systems of brotherhood and a morality code of ethics. The Wu Lin world became a strict martial artists subdivision of the Jiang Hu underworld that adhered to their own unwritten and respected ethical codes of righteousness, loyalty, chivalry and gallantry. My Chinese version of Water Margin Novel The rich literary tradition of wuxia became typically serialized novels that revolved around the adventures of wuxia heroes with exceptional martial art skills, often set in ancient or mythical China. They became known for their vivid descriptions of martial arts techniques, intricate plotlines, and themes of chivalry, honor, loyalty, love, revenge, and the pursuit of justice. Protagonists with extraordinary abilities engaged in epic battles against formidable villains. These novels incorporated fantasy elements like supernatural powers, magical weapons, and mythical creatures. The stories often follow the hero’s journey as they navigate a complex web of relationships, encounter various challenges and adversaries, and strive to achieve their goals. The novels are typically characterized by a distinct martial arts culture, depicting different kung fu styles, schools, and philosophies. Sometimes they’ll address social-politico issues of the time they’re set in and reflect the values, customs, and beliefs of Chinese society. The Legend of the Condor (2020) novel cover Arguably the most popular and important wuxia author in modern history is Jin Yong (aka Louis Cha), most notably known for his Condor Trilogy, a serialized novel written and published between 1957 and 1959 split into three parts: The Legend of the Condor Heroes ; The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber . Yet undoubtedly the biggest commercial boost for wuxia novels began in when the Chinese film industry opened their doors in 1905 and the first martial arts film in history was shot at the Fengtai Photography Studio in Beijing. By 1925, there were 175 movie companies in China’s major cities, 141 of them were in Shanghai. The three major films genre were martial arts, love stories and Confucian morality tales. In the Second Half of the plight of wuxia entertainment, we’ll follow the historical dilemmas and victories of the highly successful wuxia pian (wuxia film) genre and why in the entertainment business, it is imperative that decision makers in the industry should show respect to writers, actors and filmmakers…because if not, regret is an understatement.

International Judo Federation (IJF): On Wednesday 29th March the IJF Gender Equality Commission organized its second round table on gender equality in judo. For my Black Belt Judo Blog this week, I offer this report from the IJF. After the first successful edition, held on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8th March this year, this second online meeting offered new opportunities for an exchange on this important topic, with representatives present from national federations. After the welcome words of Dr Sanda Corak, Chair of the Gender Equality Commission, Carlos Zegarra Presser, IJF Vice-President and PJC President, said, "First of all, congratulations for creating this space for women, as well for men, to discuss this important topic. We are all part of a community. I'd like to congratulate our President, Sanda and the commission for the work done. I can assure you that at the Pan-American Judo Confederation (PJC) we are working hard to promote female judo. It is important for us, we are totally involved and we want and need to work all together. You can consider our continent as your home and a big partner to promote women in judo." Dr Sanda Corak and the participants of the round table Larisa Kiss, IJF International Relations, then took the floor, "This is one of my preferred subjects to work on, gender equality is a major focus. If it has taken off in many places around the world, we still need to work as there are still places were the process is slower. We have to keep promoting gender equity and equality. In judo, we have had good results already and in not such a long period of time. For that, we identified what can keep women away from the sport. There are two main barriers. One is linked to social boundaries and the other to the fact that often sport can provide male dominated environments. We can already be proud that in judo we have equal conditions for men and women, when it comes to top level sport. What I wanted to share with you is that we have to promote ourselves. We don't need to be modest or shy because in judo we have strong women, judo is definitely made for women. The recent example set by Saudi Arabia is significant since London 2012 and the first appearance of a female KSA athlete at the Olympic Games. From then to what we see the federation is doing to promote women’s judo now is fantastic and can be set as an example. The sector that we have to focus on is women in leadership positions. I truly believe that when people want to make a change, they can do it." Dr Sanda Corak reminded the audience of some important points that should never be forgotten, "Women and girls represent half of the world's population and therefore half of its potential, while gender equality is a fundamental human right.In order to empower girls and women in judo and to bring the first solutions, the IJF 'Recommends that the gender representation in the governing bodies of member national federations and continental unions should be at least 25% for the least represented gender'," explained Dr Corak, before adding, "The IJF strategy can help national federations to develop their own strategy." The important phase after each federation establishes a Gender Equality Commission is to follow some basic steps including research, planning, implementation and monitoring. It was then time for important testimonies to show what national federations are already doing. Veronika Jakl from the Austrian Judo Federation explained, "We produced a first Austrian diversity report in 2020 which showed that 28% of judoka in the country are female, 27% of referees are women and 25% of the executive board are women. We will conduct such kinds of studies again but I can already tell you that in 2023 we have already improved to have 36% women on the executive board. We took some radical decisions like using gender sensible language in our official documents. In 2020 we reached gender parity for our recurring committee and through a totally transparent process we recruited Yvonne Snir-Bönisch as our head coach for men and women. In 2021 we conducted a survey for our judo clubs including gender equity and respect questions. It showed that female judoka in Austria felt 4.4/5 respected. Since 2022 we have a specific budget dedicated to the subject. Last but not least, we have what we call 6 'persons of trust' (4 female/2 male) for all questions and demands around respect and security. In 2023, we are planning to start an Austrian Human Rights Commission and as part of the standardized regulations for the education of basic level coaches, we have included 90 minutes on gender equality, prevention of sexual violence and inclusion. We have a risk analysis in place and a proper understanding of the concept of children and athlete safeguarding. In the new licensing system for coaches, we will have the possibility to exclude poorly behaved coaches without criminal conviction or public statement. To conclude, I also want to say that we do want to underline the role of men throughout this process." To confirm Veronika Jakl's assertion, Martin Poiger, President of the Austrian Judo Federation said, "When I was elected, it was very clear that I wanted to have a mixed team to lead the federation. We really tried to find the best people at the right place. It was not only about being a woman but having the competences to fulfill the job and we found women who really had something to bring to our organization. The main issue is that men are always confident to take leadership roles, then the women often lack that same confidence. They often believe that they cannot do the job. They often also say that they don't have time. For me it's about giving the same opportunities to everyone. You know, for so many years, women were excluded from the sport because they were taking care of homes. While they were at home, us men would decide for everything. We need to change our mindset. I used to be totally against quota, but I have started to believe that we need some to break the system and include everyone. We need to have women in sport, we need to have women in judo and we, the men, need to understand that now." While those testimonies were made in front of the representatives of national federations, including Saudi Arabia, as well as in front of athletes such as Anna-Maria Wager (GER), they had a great impact on everyone. Judo is definitely a leader when it comes to gender equity and equality. The progress already made is impressive. Listening to the speakers and participants opens new ways of thinking and new ways of acting. So, let's do it! Movesensei sample. Complete throws and learn names! Download the app to try more throws! Message from Edgardo Rodriguez - IJF, PJC, & USA Judo Veterans Commission member Here is a partial list of great tournaments for the upcoming season. The 2023 Veterans Open Tournament in Myrtle Beach, is a tournament for Veterans only at a very nice location. Looking forward to seeing you at all these great tournaments! Calendar: May - 2023 20th Saturday & 21st Sunday - Senior National Championships , Spokane, WA 27th Saturday - Olymp’s Tournament – North Hollywood, CA 27th Saturday - 7th Annual Nagase Cup Tournament , Piano, TX June - 2023 4th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA 26th Sunday - Veterans Open Tournament , Myrtle Beach September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA. I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks.