So I finally started Kyokushin Karate last night!!!
I'm a man of few words (or not), so I'll get straight to the point.
What I disliked:
-Kata. Karate Kata has always been boring to me, and it is still boring after learning the first one. And also the movements were pretty stiff and pointless IMO, as far as fighting goes.
-Karate Drills. Punch, block, punch. Block down, block up, punch. That was essentially it. Extremely boring. Their blocks and positioning also did not make much sense to my CMA-afflicted brain. Again, looks like useless for actual fighting, and inefficient as well.
-Chambering. I never understood this. I hate how Karate chambers EVERYTHING, even in blocks and parries. Basically I had to force my arms to chamber every time we did a drill or a Kata.
What I liked:
-The conditioning. We did a massive amount of body exercises including planks, crunches and pushups before drills began.
-Intensity. Kyokushin training is extremely intense -- and keeps you on your feet the entire time. I don't have time to "slow down" and have my body take it easy. I like it better this way; rest AFTER you finish a class.
-Kicks. Kyokushin kicks are like a cross between Muay Thai and Shaolin snap kicks. Very cool.
-Damage absorbment. Bareknuckle, full-body contact sparring is extremely helpful in teaching you how to take a hit to the gut. Will definitely piss off someone who is a headhunter like myself. Good vs. boxers who like to crack bodyshots as well.
-Sparring. Sparring was extremely fun and interesting. I really enjoyed it.
NOW ONTO WHAT I DID.
Basically I went over some basics; punches, kicks, blocks, stances. All were very easy as I did CMA and MMA, it was VERY easy to learn Karate movements.
After that, I joined the White Belts in a separate room and learned the first Kata. Again, a very simple form.
Then we rejoined the big class, and did some more punching/kicking drills. I actually found my CLF drills to be MUCH more tiring . . . . all those circular poon kiu sau choys hehehe. I didn't like the chambering like I said, so I didn't like their drills that much in particular.
Then most people left, leaving only one Whitebelt and 5-6 Blackbelts. I had to spar FOUR freaking Blackbelt Kyokushinkai in a row.
It was a very fun experience; I got told off for doing a push kick to the front thigh (something about it accidentally hitting the kneecap). I was like "ok cool sorry." So we proceeded.
First guy -- I sparred with Sensei Keith, the head of the Dojo. VERY friendly guy, great partner. Went easy with me, so I went fairly light as well. I haven't sparred in some three odd months.
Second guy -- Great kicker. Knocked the wind out of me with a nice shoving sidekick to my gut. However, his roundhouses were easy to see, and I checked almost all of them (thank god for Muay Thai training). There was one elder gentleman (blackbelt in Enshin Karate, an offshoot of Kyokushin) who told my opponent to "sweep my back leg" when I went for a check. So he faked a roundhouse, and I checked. BAM!!! I got swept and fell. Another fake kick; I checked. BAM!!! I feel again. Third time I told myself "oh hell no." He tried to fake another roundhouse, I faked a check, but instead of bringing my shin up, I stepped forward to intercept his sweet. Some nice shin banging, I bitzed inside, then grabbed his Gi and basicaly did a Sow Gerk from CLF (sweep/throw mix) HARD onto the ground. Heheh . . . . . CLF has some nice sweeps and throws. Half the Kyokushin stared at me and thought I knew Judo . . . and I am a HORRIBLE thrower to begin with.
As we fought on I realized that he had HORRID punching defense. I mean, straight punches Kyokushinkai are used to. But I didn't do any. All I did was pound shovel hook and uppercuts into the gut. However, their conditioning is very good and they shoved off most of my punches (roughly 60-70% power).
He got me straight on the skull with an Axe Kick, but I didn't feel any pain or dizzyness. I now think Axe Kicks are overrated. But his most damaging moves were his sidekicks and push kicks.
Third Guy -- Another good kicker. This guy was even more insane as far as body conditioning goes.
I'd blitz in, then just POUND shovel hooks into his guts. Again, no damage. I think they are really used to bareknuckle fighting, and I was wearing 4 oz. MMA gloves. Next time I won't be so nice (I wore gloves because my previous partners did and I didn't wanna look like an asshole my first night).
I didn't want to look like an ass, so I didn't do any clinching or throwing, and didn't bother with heavy knees or elbows. I learned NOT to be nice to Kyokushin players hehehe. Next time, watch out for smashing elbows and more gate-crashing moves from me haha.
However I think he was going easier on me as he didn't crash a crapload of punches on my gut. Or maybe he's like that normally? Who knows. Only one way to find out; fight him some more hehe.
Fourth Guy: The meanest of the four I've fought (not in personality though). Hit hard, and was pretty aggressive. He was alot taller so he had the reach, but I found that Kyokushinkai either SUCK, or DON'T CARE that someone just blitzes in and unloads punch after punch after punch. Of course, if they allowed me to do a Poon Kiu Sau Choy to the head, I think they might think differently.
We had some nice and fair exchanges, and it was all in good fun and health hehehe.
I'll definitely be back to fight these Kyokushin cats again on Thursday!!!
hanging outta your pants...
