Lou Kohlmann – St.Albert Gazette – May 18, 1983
Representing Canada would be the ultimate goal for most people, but for Father Jan phys. ed. teacher George Manoli, teaching karate is No. 1.
“I’m going to Maracaibo, Venezuela for 10 days in August to represent Canada in full-contact Karate, but my main goal is to see my karate school grow,” explained Manoli, 24, who also teaches , ‘fighting” at Paul Kane. ‘ ‘I want all my students to become orange belts and I want to put on one kung-fu and two karate camps at Father Jan this summer, (June 18 and 19).”
A third degree black belt, Manoli is delighted and obviously enthusiastic about his work. And that work has included everything from professional folk dancing and a discotheque on wheels, to a decade of hard work in karate. In 1980 in a meet in Japan, Manoli won a silver and bronze medal for Canada.
“The first time I represented Canada, I finished second in Open and third in Heavyweight at the seven country Premier Tokyo International Goodwill Karatedo Festival. Canada totally dominated the Open and Heavyweight Divisions, finishing 1-2-3,” recalled Manoli, who demonstrated some of that fancy footwork two weeks ago on TV, while performing an Arabic duet in the Desert Winds Belly Dancing Show.
“The Japanese and Venezuelan events are unique to the world. Unlike Japanese karate, or Kyoko Shin Kai, which doesn’t permit any protective equipment or punches to the head, the full-contact variety uses head and body gear. Only black belts compete, a fight lasts two to three rounds and it’s six minutes of non-stop action.
Trip of a lifetime
“In order to qualify for the Venezuelan trip, you must have gone to Japan and still be in training,” he continued. “There’s a clinic for the team in Montreal (ManoH’s hometown), in June and I’m busy trying to raise the $700 I’ll need to go to South America. I’ve never been to Venezuela, but it’s one of the team member’s hometown and he’s offered to show us around. The government is kicking in $500 and my students are behind me 100 percent.”
Why wouldn’t they be? Manoli cares about their progress. He also packs a mean wallop.
“During my classes, I fight three or four students,” explained Manoli. “My kids learn a lotI know all the tricks of the trade and by fighting me, there’s less chance of injury. It’s tough finding competition. There isn’t anyone in. Edmonton of my calibre – apart from kick-boxers and I’m not interested in kick-boxing.”
Manoli trains three hours everyday at Father Jan, putting in miles of running, bag work, sit-ups and push-ups in preparation for the big day.
“I don’t want to put any more pressure on myself than I have to, but I’m not going to Venezuela for peanuts either,” emphasized Manoli. “I definitely want to finish first, but the competition will be fierce. I’m aiming for the clinic and I’m working on stamina right now, but when I hit June, it’ll be all speed work. Japan is the ultimate in karate and if 1 don’t win this August, at least I can say I was there. Winning isn’t everything, but Lord will I try.”
Love story
From his first exposure to karate – as he watched a smaller “fighter” more than hold his own against a much larger opponent in gym class – to his latest efforts in attempting to have karate recognized as an Olympic sport, George has been infatuated with the martial arts.
“I was amazed – this little guy beat this big guy easily,” smiled Manoli, whose father John interestingly enough, is a former phys. ed. teacher. “Karate has given me confidence, courage – I don’t need to go out and prove anything on the street – it involves discipline and it’s been a way of life. My teacher – fifth degree black belt and five time North American champion Wayne Donivan – has been like a second father to me.
“Karate is like religion – there’s too many leaders and that’s why there’s only a slim chance of karate becoming an Olympic sport. No one can agree on a point system.”
What most karate people do agree on, is that Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris are bonafide superstars. Manoli, however, also considers his teacher in the same vein.
“1 want to teach,” pondered Manoli, a sports nut who has only been in St. Albert a year. “Maybe I’ll compete until I’m 30 – the older you get, the longer it takes you to heal – and after that, I want to become an organizer of big karate events.
“If anyone out there is interested in sparring with equipment, look me up. I don’t need any challengers – I need the practice. If I didn’t say that, all kinds of nuts would come out.”
Any takers?
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