Traditional Okinawan Karate, Kobudo, & Tuite

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Tommy Bolster

Tommy

Tommy Bolster is one of Sensei Ben Madsen's original students and is the assistant instructor of the Chain of Lakes Karate Club.  Tommy joined the group in May of 2001.  During his time at the Chain of Lakes Karate Club, Tommy developed a taste for tournament competition, and even though this style of karate is not a "sport" style, he was able to modify his training to be successful in the circuits.  Over the years, Tommy has competed in several regional tournaments.  He has placed in all of them, and has taken home several 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies in sparring, kata, and weapons kata categories.

Tommy was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) at the annual summer training camp of  May 2008, by Grandmaster Fusei Kise.  He was promoted to the rank of Nidan (karate and kobudo) at the 2010 summer seminar in Atwater, MN.

Quotes: "Repetition is the mother of skill."

 

Training Code       

of Master Hohan Sokon    

1.  Always act in a courteous manner.

2.  During your training, concentrate to the limit of your mental endurance.  Give your all mentally and physically as training without concentration prevents advancement.

3.  The physical, mental and spiritual training of the student should be combined as one.  The heart, mind and body should be in union at all times.

4.  Heed the advice of your teacher and of more advanced students of your school and other schools.  Listen to them and never forget their advice.

5.  Listening and watching are key points to advancement.

6.  In order to advance, one must strive to obtain the true spirit of the art.

7.  Training is on a continuous basis, and one learns a little at a time.  Do not take breaks in training as it will result in a step backwards.

8.  Always strive for advancement and when advanced, one must not brag or boast.

9.  Self-praise and over-confidence is a sickness that corrupts training.

10.  Refrain from over-eating, drinking and smoking, for these are bad habits that hinder the effectiveness of your training.

11.  Martial arts training has no limits.  Step by step, study by study, and one day in the future you will undoubtedly enter the Temple of Shaolin.