MN in May 2025 Weekend Recap
Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and all Deshi of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate!
Visitors from across the system joined the Northfield and Carleton dojo last weekend to celebrate Minnesota in May 2025! Led by Kyoshi Mackay, we had a full weekend of training, fellowship, and Black Belt testing.
To perhaps serve the dessert first, the following candidates were promoted after a full testing round of kata, question and answer review, yaku soku kumite, weapons, and breaking.
Promoted to Ni-Dan:
- Vincent Sommer (Northfield)
- David Huyck (Carleton)
Promoted to San-Dan and the honorific “Sensei”:
- Anna Sweeney (Crown Heights)
- Scott Sijan (Northfield)
Congratulations to all the candidates!
The weekend started on Friday night with a full deck, and no Kyoshi! Due to travel delays, the senior Black Belts “Just did it” by each taking a portion of the class, bringing their own focus and emphasis to each aspect of our training. Sensei Bob Dobrow led warm-ups, Sensei John Bottega led basic moves, Sensei Austin Hatch led us through leg work and kicking, and Sensei Lisa Rosenberg and Bryan Markiet led the group through kata.
Saturday morning, with Kyoshi Mackay now in the lead, we began a full morning exploring many variations and fine points of our karate training. This included working on 3 point arm training and yaku soku kumite, and how those exercises can lead into controlled one-step sparring, where we can refine blocking and countering.
We also explored how to apply power in our techniques by isolating specific moves in kata and using them to break boards. This included not only working on finding power in the technique, but also being able to adjust to variation in the position of the target and still be able to deliver a powerful punch, elbow, etc.
As the morning moved into kata, there was a healthy round of body-testing in Naihanchi kata for the Sho-Dan and Ni-Dan on the deck.
Saturday afternoon was dedicated to the Black Belt test. Afterwards, everyone gathered for a pot-luck dinner at the home of deshi Deb Anderson. Organized by Deb and Sempai Cailin Huyck Orr, we were treated to a huge variety of food and drink and had the opportunity to meet, socialize, and trade stories with each other, and compai to our new Dan ranks!
Sunday morning brought our final training session, which included breaking into smaller groups to focus on specific kata with the newly-promoted candidates leading each group. Groups then demonstrated their kata with the leader highlighting areas of emphasis or refinement.
Then followed a Q&A session with Kyoshi Mackay covering a wide range of subjects, from the evolution and refinement of the system from earlier times until the present, how to keep classes fresh and relevant when the students range from white to black belts, and many more.
As the sun finally peeked out for the morning, we adjourned to the Carleton College Japanese Garden for formal photographs and then reluctantly brought the weekend to a close.
Domo arigato gozaimasu to these Sensei who made the trip to Northfield and brought their knowledge and wisdom to share with us:
- Sensei John Bottega – Midtown
- Sensei Bryan Markiet – Nyack
- Sensei Lisa Rosenberg – Midtown
- Sensei Austin Hatch – Holyoke
- Sensei Bob Dobrow – Northfield
- Sensei Anna Sweeney – Crown Heights
Finally, domo arigato gozaimasu to Hanshi and Kyoshi Mackay for the wisdom, thoughtfulness, and support you have always made available to the dojo in Minnesota. We may be physically far away from our karate colleagues, but we are honored and grateful to be part of such a vibrant and vital organization.
Respectfully,
Sensei Steve Hatle, Shihan
Ueshiro Northfield Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo of Minnesota
Sempai David Huyck, Shihan
Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo
Domo arigato gozaimashita to the photographers: Julie Lawrence, Adam Rothman ’25, Sensei Lisa Rosenberg, and others.
