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It was a sight to see.
Nearly 30 kids between five
and 12 lined up in four rows, all dressed in white uniforms with colourful
belts, faces set in concentration, eyes riveted to the man who stood front
and centre. Then, at the sounds of a series of authoritative commands, they
moved in unison . . . jutting forward, then back; left arm out with fisted
hand, right arm following with chopping motion.
This
was not a scene from a James Bond film . . . it was a recent meeting of the
Ikaros Athletic Association of Martial Arts located in Kato Gouves, which
just began its winter season.
Ikaros,
a non-profit association founded in 1995, is dedicated to the cultivating,
developing and spreading of such martial art feats as:
1 –
Traditional combatant and technical karate – shito ryu shuko and
karate do.
2 –
Technical skills of self defence – Ziu Zitsu.
3 –
Traditional weaponry of Okinawa – Japan Kobudo.
4 –
The art of the samurai sword, drawing the blade and cutting in the same
motion – Iai-Do.
“All
of these techniques allow for the advantage to dominate in body to body
combat, which is the engagement of two or more opponents,” said Emanuil
Amaryotakis, a martial arts sensei who has been
Ikaros’ coach for the past four years. “But, our association is more than
only martial arts – we also introduce students to other activities and
sports, such as archery, bicycling, aerobics,
hockey, fencing, dance and triathlon.”
However, it’s the martial arts which generate the most attention, according
to the students, which range in age from five and up. Each student pays a
monthly fee of 45 Euros, entitling them to 13 lessons of one and a half
hours each. Students with an orange belt or higher receive 17 lessons for
the same fee.
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To the outsider, the belt system of grading expertise
seems a bit complicated, but it is taken very seriously among participants.
The way of the belt goes like this: white, red, orange, green, blue, purple,
brown (in three stages – 3rd Q, 2nd Q, 1st
Q), then black. After that come the Dan. A sensei, or teacher, can have
from 1st to 9th Dan. The 10th Dan is only
received posthumously.
“There
is no set time period, for example, to go from white to red,” Coach
Amaryotakis explained. “It all depends on how hard you
work, and how serious you take your training.”
Apparently, Ikaros students take their training very seriously.
“In
the four years I have been privileged to be associated with Ikaros I am
proud to have had many students participating in various Pancretan,
Hellenic, European and International championships, who have brought
an impressive amount of medals back to Gouves,” the
soft-spoken coach said.
Ikaros,
which belongs to the Greek Karate Federation, often hosts seminars by
world-class sensei, such as Antonio Oliva Seva, a Spanish sensei with eight
Dan, and Tsutomu Kamohara, also with eight Dan, who is the European
Technical Leader.
Coach
Amaryotakis, who has been studying martial arts
since 1983, and teaches all four arts mentioned above, has a black belt
and two Dan, which he attained with four years of
heavy intensive training. He is also the holder of numerous awards for his
accomplishments in martial arts.
So far
this winter, Ikaros has about 35 athletes/students. And, since Ikaros is a
member of the Hellenic Karate Association, students who receive a medal in
Kata and Kumite competions, will earn from 1800 to 2500 points towards a
university entrance.
“Although parents look upon martial arts as excellent exercise for their
children, many kids, at first, are excited about the self-defences aspect,”
the coach said. “However, the kids soon realize that the study of martial
arts really teaches discipline and respect . . . and lastly, self defence.”
Okay,
if you say so coach. After all, who’s going to argue with a man with a black
belt and two Dan! |
