Classic City Karate

Our Star Wars virtual summer camp was a total blast(er)!! Thank you to all the young padawans who honed their skills by building their own light sabers (Kyber crystal and all!), communication gauntlet, Z6 riot control baton, rebel battle helmet and DL-44 blaster!

Happy Father’s Day to all the role models out there! Being a good parent is the most important job you will have! Enjoy this inspirational story from Master Bao, one of O’Sensei’s sons. My father was a busy man during the Vietnam War: professor at University of Hue, created a large and popular martial arts style named Cuong Nhu Karate (a blend of hard & soft styles), left for the US for 4 years and returned in 1974 with a PhD and a thriving martial arts program at University... of Florida. He then accepted an offer to be the President of University of Da Nang that year. Up to that time, I frankly did not know him that well because he was not around that much being pulled from many directions. However, one of many valuable lessons that I had learned from him is the conviction in doing the right thing regardless of costs. Below is one of the first of many lessons: In the spring of 1975, North Vietnam forces were routing the South Vietnam and US forces in Hue and marching toward Da Nang. I overheard many discussions between my Mom and Dad about arranging to evacuate the entire family (6 of us and my grandparents) BEFORE the eventual fall of the city. The discussions were often heated because my Dad did not want to be one of the leaders who chose to flee first. He despised those who did. He insisted that my Mom were to evacuate with the children and parents to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and wait for him there. My Mom refused saying something along the line of live or die as a family. So the entire family stayed in Da Nang so that my Dad could safely arrange for his faculties to evacuate the city first. One moment after he hung up the phone, I asked him why we just don’t flee like everyone else. He calmly said: To be a leader you have to be the first to sacrifice and the last to enjoy. As a result, he successfully evacuated his staff but we were not able to take the last flight out and had to deal with the consequences without a single regret. That lesson forever stays with me and is a part of who I am today. Happy Father’s Day Dad !

We held our first virtual test last Friday. Our kids did GREAT! All were promoted to yellow belt. Congrats to all of you!

I made it to the dojo today. It felt great being in the space again- I can’t wait to workout with everyone when this is over. One big bonus: I got to change the sign over.

The Governor of Georgia has opened up the shelter in place policy allowing some businesses to open as early as this Friday (including gyms.) Here at Classic City Karate, we believe that the safety of our families, dojo members and community outweigh this decision. As much as we all want things to get back to normal and rejoin our friends in the dojo, safety always comes first. Classic City Karate will remain closed as we monitor the COVID-19 situation here in Athens as well a...s the entire state of Ga. As soon as our health professionals deem it safe, we will re-open our facility. Until then we will continue to train hard in our live online classes from the safety of our homes. New members are always welcome, email me at [email protected] for more information. As always, we encourage you to get up, exercise hard and get a sweat on! See more