World Champs Update 27th Oct 08
I have had confirmation that the EKF has accepted my offer to cover the event for the UK press. I now have to contact WKF to sort out the paperwork for my press pass. Mike Dinsdale has been very helpful. Thanks Mike.
I made contact with Paul Kallender-Umezu of the KWF (Karate no Michi World Federation) through my membership of the KU Forum. Paul speaks for the almost-legendary Yahara Mikio, and it would be fantastic to train with him in Tokyo. Unfortunately Yahara Sensei is off teaching around the world, but I will meet up with Paul in Tokyo, and maybe get a sweat on with him too.
I also made contact with a representative of Suzuki Sensei, of Shito Ryu Seiko Kai International. They also have a honbu in Tokyo and I await Sensei's permission to train there.
I am still trying to listen to my Japanese language CDs daily, but it's hard going. I appear to have hit a plateau about 5 years ago. Very little else is sinking in. Maybe when I have to ask for a menu, or a train time, it will all make sense. Or maybe it will be a disaster. Never mind- one can but try.
A colleague of my wife - who lived in Tokyo for two years - has given me a few social tips that one wouldn't necessarily find in a guide book- bath etiquette and all that for example (I understand there is a spa bath near where I am staying, so it would be good not to look a complete idiot tourist). I didn't ask her how she knows so much about what Japanese men do in the bath!
She also mentioned that Westerners smell something horrid to the Japanese- rather strongly of mouldy milk apparently. I guess they don't have dairy in their diet to the extent that we do. With a bit under three weeks to go I have cut down on my dairy intake in deference to my hosts. Last week I allowed two cheese sandwiches to pass my lips, and I do take a tiny splash of milk in my tea; but I drink my coffee black anyway, and have forsaken a cereal breakfast in favour of toast or eggs. I hope it makes a bit of difference.
I am rueing my decision not to buy Yen 6 months ago when there were almost 200 to the £ Sterling. Today's rate is about 158, and I am hoping that today's falls on the Nikkei will impact the Yen - at least a little bit.
I can't complain too much about my fitness. Regular dojo sessions have been OK, but in addition I have entered the Tough Guy race in Feb 09 (well, January 32nd, officially) and have been running to supplement my regular training. My old back & neck injuries appear to be holding out fine so I shouldn't discgrace myself, or Old Blighty in any Japanese dojo.
