The International Wado Federation
For Autonomous Wado Karate Unity
A need has been fulfilled
The International Wado Federation was created in November 2010, from the foundations of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa), to act as a home for all autonomous Wado organisations world-wide. Created to act purely as an Alliance for some and a Governing Body for others allows the IWF unbound flexibility for support and cooperation for the interests of all Wado organisations within membership; or those wishing to join us. Additionally, the IWF allows more than one national organisation to join. So whether an organisation follows the syllabus designated as that of Wadokai, Wadoryu, Wado, or even Wado-Sport, all are welcome within our wado family. Yes, Wado karate does promote and encourage competition as part of the training, but this should be purely for the progression of the individual's need for self-improvement, attainment and realisation. We should not consider tournament as the 'be-all and end-all' of Wado Karate. As already stated; competition forms only PART of our Wado training, so should be considered part of the usual trials and challenges of training and not considered the 'end-product', which the 'All-Styles Sport-Karate' organisations seem to continually promote. We do Wado for self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets. Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ for self-preservation, so the competition arena is probably the closest test of our fighting abilities and skills; both mentally and physically.
The International Wado Federation is the only World Governing Body for Wado that considers all Wado Groups and National/International Federations into membership.
The International Wado Federation was created in November 2010, from the foundations of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa), to act as a home for all autonomous Wado organisations world-wide. Created to act purely as an Alliance for some and a Governing Body for others allows the IWF unbound flexibility for support and cooperation for the interests of all Wado organisations within membership; or those wishing to join us. Additionally, the IWF allows more than one national organisation to join. So whether an organisation follows the syllabus designated as that of Wadokai, Wadoryu, Wado, or even Wado-Sport, all are welcome within our wado family. Yes, Wado karate does promote and encourage competition as part of the training, but this should be purely for the progression of the individual's need for self-improvement, attainment and realisation. We should not consider tournament as the 'be-all and end-all' of Wado Karate. As already stated; competition forms only PART of our Wado training, so should be considered part of the usual trials and challenges of training and not considered the 'end-product', which the 'All-Styles Sport-Karate' organisations seem to continually promote. We do Wado for self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets. Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ for self-preservation, so the competition arena is probably the closest test of our fighting abilities and skills; both mentally and physically.
The International Wado Federation is the only World Governing Body for Wado that considers all Wado Groups and National/International Federations into membership.
International Wado Federation. Out of the ‘RAN’ 乱comes the ‘WA’ 和
The International Wado Federation was initially established as the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa), in 1982, to facilitate ‘ex-pat’ British Wadokai Clubs overseas (namely Canada, France and Italy). However, as demand for a ‘Wado only’ World Governing, for autonomous Wado organisations, became more important to many than the ‘All-styles Sport-karate Governing Bodies’, AIWa found itself approached by many other national and international Wado groups seeking for Wado unity. In 2010 Gary E Swift Kyoshi decided to restructure AIWa and to re-establish it; so started to emerge the renewed federation of international Wadoryu the International Wado Federation. The IWF was further developed to cater for the all needs of the world’s frustrated Wado exponents who simply want a ‘Wado only’ administration for their needs. Over the years the IWF has accumulated many organisations from all three of the so-called ‘mainstream’ Wado organisations to become one of the world-leaders in peaceful World Wado unity. Wado does not do MMA or ‘all-styles sport-karate’, so therefore these governing bodies have no place within our Wado, and why should it? We practise Wado and are very proud of our Wado history. We do not want it watered down by the political dinosaurs of today that sit behind desks and devise plans to scourge and water-down other karate styles. Let them do what they do best on their own — destroy karate-do and karate-jutsu!
In the UK alone we have been waiting nearly 50 years for a national governing body that could cater for the needs of all karate-ka in England… This has still not happened. And personally I feel that, due to the diverse nature of all the individual styles of karate, it never will happen. You cannot successfully unify tradition with sport, someone always loses down the line, it can only survive separately. As a traditionalist, what benefits have we seen by being consistently part of (and paying huge amounts of money for) All-Styles Governing Bodies that have very little in their constitutions for the traditionalists who want to progress in their own style?
Let us be proud of heritage and the karate we practise - Follow our style!
The International Wado Federation was initially established as the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa), in 1982, to facilitate ‘ex-pat’ British Wadokai Clubs overseas (namely Canada, France and Italy). However, as demand for a ‘Wado only’ World Governing, for autonomous Wado organisations, became more important to many than the ‘All-styles Sport-karate Governing Bodies’, AIWa found itself approached by many other national and international Wado groups seeking for Wado unity. In 2010 Gary E Swift Kyoshi decided to restructure AIWa and to re-establish it; so started to emerge the renewed federation of international Wadoryu the International Wado Federation. The IWF was further developed to cater for the all needs of the world’s frustrated Wado exponents who simply want a ‘Wado only’ administration for their needs. Over the years the IWF has accumulated many organisations from all three of the so-called ‘mainstream’ Wado organisations to become one of the world-leaders in peaceful World Wado unity. Wado does not do MMA or ‘all-styles sport-karate’, so therefore these governing bodies have no place within our Wado, and why should it? We practise Wado and are very proud of our Wado history. We do not want it watered down by the political dinosaurs of today that sit behind desks and devise plans to scourge and water-down other karate styles. Let them do what they do best on their own — destroy karate-do and karate-jutsu!
In the UK alone we have been waiting nearly 50 years for a national governing body that could cater for the needs of all karate-ka in England… This has still not happened. And personally I feel that, due to the diverse nature of all the individual styles of karate, it never will happen. You cannot successfully unify tradition with sport, someone always loses down the line, it can only survive separately. As a traditionalist, what benefits have we seen by being consistently part of (and paying huge amounts of money for) All-Styles Governing Bodies that have very little in their constitutions for the traditionalists who want to progress in their own style?
Let us be proud of heritage and the karate we practise - Follow our style!
What have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
Article written by Gary Swift Kyoshi.
What have the Romans Ever Done for Us? Well, they built us the viaducts... Yes, but what have they ever done for US?
Politics (Karate or otherwise), as well as the Romans, have interfered in so many ways within our structured society that sometimes we think if the result had ever really justified the means - Especially as I feel there has never been any result!
Take my situation as an example, as far as Karate Politics are concerned. I was running, quite successfully I felt, an International Wado Organisation that I felt was moving towards a very positive Alliance of Wado groups ‘worldwide’ that I felt had ‘answered the question’ to the way Wado ‘should’ be unified - with special emphasis on ‘respect of autonomy’. AIWa gave support and services without additional draconian rules, negative control or finance issues.
We offered free affiliation with access to insurances, gradings, courses, tournaments, worldwide black-belt registration, etc., etc. Things were looking good all round for Wado Karate. Then all of a sudden we were conned, within the all-styles
governing body we were affiliated to, due to implications in the wider world of ’World Politics’, came something we grew to conflict over - The World Karate Federation’s Statute 21.9.
We suddenly had an implication in our membership that forced us to split our alliance, and alliances, with many friends for the benefit of World Karate Governing Body ’domination’, ‘monopolisation’ and ‘globalism’. Wado organisations 'outside' of the World Karate Federation were no longer considered welcome within membership to those 'inside' the World Karate Federation. As we had an 'International' Wado organisation, with memberships from all over the world and from other all-style world governing bodies, AIWa was forced to disband.
I totally agree with unity, but unity can be achieved through acceptable means and simple allegiances - A ‘unity’ where everyone operates within their own parameters on an equal and level footing running their own affairs and style within their own safe and controlled environment.
What I look for in a Governing Body should reflect on what we all want and need (and in many cases what we already have) within our own organisations, after all, is it not the Chief Instructors of the so-called like-minded people who control these Governing Bodies in the first place? Or have I missed something here?
Yes, we need Health & Safety Protocols and Instructor Education for ‘good practise’, plus CRB’s, Insurance, Courses, Tournaments, Coaching Facilities, Legal Structure, etc. But what I feel people also want out of a Governing Body, as most of the previously mentioned can be obtained from many of the already established karate organisations, is quite simple.
1. The ability to be able to register our members into an ‘authentic’ structured ‘National Governing Body’.
2. Be confident that we have the back-up and support behind us at all times.
3. Be able to know that my NGB is helping to eradicate ‘illegally’ operating Karate Groups from society (whether or not various clubs are members of the NGB). ‘Bad clubs/groups’ should be named and shamed and brought to justice and the NGB should fight them through the courts if need be. Ban Canvassing and other menacing tactics on people at their own homes, which I feel should be made discreditable - this is not Martial-arts of any kind.
4. A structure where the usual parameters are recognised for running a ‘proper’ organisation.
5. People should be happy and proud to be part of it.
A NGB should have the power to make decisions and fight for all the good that we ourselves uphold, the NGB should and MUST be an extension of ourselves and not have the elected controllers go away without responsibilities and not being accounted for. A National Governing Body should offer services and support - and that’s it!!!
Questions I feel should be asked to any all-styles governing body.
1. What have you done, to help make us all move forward?
2. What are you doing, to help make us all move forward?
3. What are you going to do, to help make us all move forward?
And the final question, which has never been answered for as long as I have been a member of ANY all-styles governing body... With all the money we are paying YOU, what ARE you doing for US???
So, what have the Romans ever done for us? As far as I’m concerned, absolutely nothing!
GE Swift Kyoshi.
What have the Romans Ever Done for Us? Well, they built us the viaducts... Yes, but what have they ever done for US?
Politics (Karate or otherwise), as well as the Romans, have interfered in so many ways within our structured society that sometimes we think if the result had ever really justified the means - Especially as I feel there has never been any result!
Take my situation as an example, as far as Karate Politics are concerned. I was running, quite successfully I felt, an International Wado Organisation that I felt was moving towards a very positive Alliance of Wado groups ‘worldwide’ that I felt had ‘answered the question’ to the way Wado ‘should’ be unified - with special emphasis on ‘respect of autonomy’. AIWa gave support and services without additional draconian rules, negative control or finance issues.
We offered free affiliation with access to insurances, gradings, courses, tournaments, worldwide black-belt registration, etc., etc. Things were looking good all round for Wado Karate. Then all of a sudden we were conned, within the all-styles
governing body we were affiliated to, due to implications in the wider world of ’World Politics’, came something we grew to conflict over - The World Karate Federation’s Statute 21.9.
We suddenly had an implication in our membership that forced us to split our alliance, and alliances, with many friends for the benefit of World Karate Governing Body ’domination’, ‘monopolisation’ and ‘globalism’. Wado organisations 'outside' of the World Karate Federation were no longer considered welcome within membership to those 'inside' the World Karate Federation. As we had an 'International' Wado organisation, with memberships from all over the world and from other all-style world governing bodies, AIWa was forced to disband.
I totally agree with unity, but unity can be achieved through acceptable means and simple allegiances - A ‘unity’ where everyone operates within their own parameters on an equal and level footing running their own affairs and style within their own safe and controlled environment.
What I look for in a Governing Body should reflect on what we all want and need (and in many cases what we already have) within our own organisations, after all, is it not the Chief Instructors of the so-called like-minded people who control these Governing Bodies in the first place? Or have I missed something here?
Yes, we need Health & Safety Protocols and Instructor Education for ‘good practise’, plus CRB’s, Insurance, Courses, Tournaments, Coaching Facilities, Legal Structure, etc. But what I feel people also want out of a Governing Body, as most of the previously mentioned can be obtained from many of the already established karate organisations, is quite simple.
1. The ability to be able to register our members into an ‘authentic’ structured ‘National Governing Body’.
2. Be confident that we have the back-up and support behind us at all times.
3. Be able to know that my NGB is helping to eradicate ‘illegally’ operating Karate Groups from society (whether or not various clubs are members of the NGB). ‘Bad clubs/groups’ should be named and shamed and brought to justice and the NGB should fight them through the courts if need be. Ban Canvassing and other menacing tactics on people at their own homes, which I feel should be made discreditable - this is not Martial-arts of any kind.
4. A structure where the usual parameters are recognised for running a ‘proper’ organisation.
5. People should be happy and proud to be part of it.
A NGB should have the power to make decisions and fight for all the good that we ourselves uphold, the NGB should and MUST be an extension of ourselves and not have the elected controllers go away without responsibilities and not being accounted for. A National Governing Body should offer services and support - and that’s it!!!
Questions I feel should be asked to any all-styles governing body.
1. What have you done, to help make us all move forward?
2. What are you doing, to help make us all move forward?
3. What are you going to do, to help make us all move forward?
And the final question, which has never been answered for as long as I have been a member of ANY all-styles governing body... With all the money we are paying YOU, what ARE you doing for US???
So, what have the Romans ever done for us? As far as I’m concerned, absolutely nothing!
GE Swift Kyoshi.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To preserve the traditional development and evolution of Wado Karate. We strive to accomplish this in an environment free of intimidation, politics, and other negative distractions. We further seek to foster a spirit of fellowship and understanding by welcoming all like-minded individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, religion, national origin, or physical handicap. The International Wado Federation is a non-profit Governing Body for 'professionally run' (amateur and/or professional) Karate Schools/Organisations and not a commercially motivated or profit-based karate business.
To preserve the traditional development and evolution of Wado Karate. We strive to accomplish this in an environment free of intimidation, politics, and other negative distractions. We further seek to foster a spirit of fellowship and understanding by welcoming all like-minded individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, religion, national origin, or physical handicap. The International Wado Federation is a non-profit Governing Body for 'professionally run' (amateur and/or professional) Karate Schools/Organisations and not a commercially motivated or profit-based karate business.
"There is nothing right or wrong, there is only 'thinking' that makes it so."
