St. Albert Booster – May 7,1984
Some people do it to keep in shape. Some people learn the art as a method of self defense. For whatever reason, karate has become a popular activity in this community, and one that community members will have a chance to learn more about at the Eight Annual St. Albert Trade and Leisure Show.
Local instructor George Manoli will be leading his students in one of two demonstrations to be featured on the community stage in the Kinex Arena, on the leisure staqe of the fair. Showtime for the students, who regularly practice at the Father Jan School in SI. Albert,. is Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
About 30 adults and 60 children are involved in the SI. Albert BushidoKwan organization, meeting every Thursday evening and Saturday morning to practice and train for the various, and multitude of tournaments and camps held by the club.
Having just completed a winter camp, the students are now training for an upcoming. toumament and June summer camp.
“I try to keep them working towards something, always looking ahead. It keeps them moving forward,” said Manoli of his students.
Manoil, a representative of his country at two recent world class meets, took a second and third place, in 1980 and 1983. He has been practicing the art for II years, having begun his training in Montreal.
In 1982 the school opened with 12 students. It has grown since then to include more than 90, and is comparible in quality and training to other schools in the Edmonton area.
“The discipline is high in this school. My people are in constant training, always preparing for something yet to come,” he said. Because of that constant training and practicing, his students are highly talented in Kata (form) for children and adults, and in Kumite (pre-organized fight between two people).
Through the program the students also learn proper self defense and, in the children’s classes, combat, with head and body gear.
“We insist upon proper gear, because safety comes first. This Trade Show demonstration, with the children fully dressed, will demonstrate how safe this activity really is,” he summed up.
This fair will be the first for the St. Albert group,one that was approached by the fair committee and asked to take part.
“We agreed to it because it will give us a chance to show people what we are all about, what karate is all about,” said the black belt, level three instructor.
He said appearing before a large group of people in a festive atmosphere may be a new experience for his students, but one they will be expected to succeed at nonetheless.
“We train every person as if they wer.e black belts. They have to learn discipline and they have to learn to be leaders themselves. When they become black belts, they will become leaders, and this activity will give them some exposure it) demonstrations,” Manoli explained.
Manoli will be right alongside his students when their demonstration begins. Being involved with his group is the whole reason behind the opening of the school.
“I wanted to continue to train, and I needed someone to work out with,” he explained simply. Working out, for members of this school, doesn’t begin and end with karate practice. The students also take the opportunity to partake in soccer, volleyball and other sports, with the equipment being available at Father Jan School, where Manoli is a teacher.
“There’s a lot of fitness involved here. That’s the base for the whole activity. You can’t be confident enough to defend yourself if you’re not in good shape. The other sports activity is an extra because of Father Jan. where the karate school is held,” he explained.