Shotokan Karate
- So much more then just a sport.


Sophie and Magnus are fighting.

Shotokan Karate is one of the largest karate-styles in the world. Still it's so few who knows that it even exist. Karate is so much more then the hits and kicks, it's about respect and discipline, but also a really good way to exercise and change your lifestyle!

Why is Karate such a good practise then? To answer that question I had an interview with Hans Persson, trainer in my club. He thinks Karate is great practise because it is practise for the whole body! When we are warming up the strength and condition are increasing, and the real Karate consists of balance/speed/reaction exercises, and of course how to protect ourselves! Everyone can enjoy Karate, kids, youths, adults or pensioners, because you adjust the practise so it fits the one who's training. The karate even changes your lifestyle, because it's so much respect and discipline so it shows in your carrier or in school! You'll get better confidence to do and say what comes on your mind. You'll also gain a much more humble relation to the people around you.

History Karate has its origin in China. It was the buddhism monks in the Shaolintemple who practised the techniques who were going to be the techniques we do today. These monks were well-known all over China as the “Warriosmonks”. It spread in the beginning of 1900 to Japan. There are many different styles of Karate. Shotokan is one of the biggest and is the traditional style. It was founded by Gichin Funakoshi in the beginning of 1900. "Shoto" was pseudonym for Funakoshi, and "Kan" is building, Funakoshis building. In the end of 1940 Shotokan came to America with the soldiers. In 1972 did Ted Hedlund found the Swedish Shotokan Association (SSA). He is now the chief instructor in JKA (Japan Karate Association) Sweden. Shotokan is an old style so they have many practicians world wide!


I am doing my Kata Heian Sandan.

How popular is this sport? There are about 32 different styles of Karate around the world, with totally 17800 members. Of that 32 styles there's 4 main styles and that's Shotokan, Wado-Ryu/Wado-Kai, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu/Goju-Kai with totally 10100 members. Of the 4 main styles Shotokan is the most popular with 4.900 members, which is 48% of the members, while the 2 most popular (Wado-Ryu) only have 2200 members, which is 22%. So Shotokan is the most popular art of Karate! In Sweden we have 50 Shotokan Karateclubs with totally 2.700 members. In Örnsköldsvik where I live there's just 1 club with 30 members but only 20 who practise this. For more information visit www.ovikshotokan.se, where I took all the information.

Is this something for me? Karate is a perfect sport if you want to improve your strength, condition, learn how to protect yourself, and you'll also get to learn respect and discipline. We're not hurting each other, and injuries are unusual. The only thing that could happen is that you may get some bruises or a strain. This is tough, good training that anyone can do, no matter which age you are or in what condition you are. So why not try something different and new?

What is Karate?
Respect to Sensei (the trainer) and to the sport.
Learning The Japanese manners and how to act in the Dojo (the local we practise in)

Kihon – The base techniques everything is made of.
Kumite – Fight against each other.
Kata – Imaginary fight with imaginary enemies, using the Kihon techniques.

Sophie is doing one of the many Kihon techniques.

Sara Bjurestam
If you have some questions or just want to tell me your opinion, write to me at:
Sarabjurestam@hotmail.com