A Good Experience but some Bad Luck for Two Ligo Dojo Students
Participating in Korea Tournament, August 9, 2009

Every tournament experience is training for the next one and, in that sense, Paul Kaminski who graduated from our residential program in July, and current residential student Aaron Taylor (below), had a very positive learning experience. Nevertheless, it's unfortunate to travel so far, for such a short fight if, as these guys were, they happened to be defeated in the first round. The level of Kyokushin karate in Korea has gotten quite high, and both Ligo Dojo students who fought, lost honorably - there's no shame in doing your best! - but both fighters looking forward to their next chance at the World Tournament in Budapest on October 2nd. You can see the video clips and judge for yourself!!!

Click below to see the video clips of the fights: Kaminski's Fight .....Aaron's Fight . I think even to the untrained eye it will be apparent that both Ligo Dojo competitors needed to be more agressive. But that's how you live and learn. In their next fights they'll have to be careful not to be too agressive and tire themselves out.

Don't be shocked! These pictures are from a demonstration we saw by a Korean Traditional Martial Arts Society. These are not the average guys we met on the street!

Kancho Royama and Shihan Okazaki hosted this training the evening before the tournament. Ligo Dojo students traveled for 22 hours before spending one day sightseeing, the evening at this seminar, and fought the next morning.

Paul Kaminski has been back in his home state of Connecticut for the past six weeks since he became the first to graduate from Ligo Dojo's (Budo Karate House's) residential program. He's got just 7 weeks before the world tournament in Budapest along with Aaron, and Ligo Dojo students Amy W. and Amy K., fighting in the women's divisions.

Aaron Taylor began is Karate training just 5 months ago. He's reduced his 2 mile running time from 20 minutes, down to 16 minutes, and has lost 20 pounds, during those five months. He knows he'll have to bring this time down to around 12 minutes to fight and win. Rome was not built in a day, but if he trains hard and doesn't give up along the way, he can become a champion by the time he graduates.

Again, don't be afraid! This (below) was a tourist activity at a cultural event. We each had 10 arrows and then moved on to see something else.

Nathan Ligo can be seen here (extreme left) with Kancho Royama and the Japanese team that competed in the Korean Kyokushin-kan tournament.

These targets were NOT too easy to hit! Note the castle wall in the background. Much of it is an orriginal 17th century construction.