Hanratty on Karate

Sensei Hanratty discusses a Shotokan seminar he recently attended in Toronto, Ontario. The seminar was hosted by the Toronto JKA and was taught by Sensei Tatsuya Naka, 7th Dan, a full-time JKA instructor who has starred in several films.

Hanratty covers highlights of the seminar, the differences between kata and street fights, the contents of a typical beginner class, and more.

Sensei Hanratty and his guest Robert Hargreaves, president of the CSKA, reminisce about the 2001 WSKA Tournament held in Prague, Czech Republic. Sensei Hargreaves offers a fascinating account of how Canada's karate team dealt with being stranded in London in the wake of 9/11. They also discuss how karate builds character and helps people deal with adversity.

Sensei Hanratty discusses how to overcome training plateaus. He also shares memories of the 1997 WSKA competition in Riverside, California. Also, mountain camps and the benefits of elevation training are covered.

Sensei Hanratty provides a recap of the 40th Annual Competition held this week by the Canadian Shotokan Karate Association (CSKA) and offers some tips for effective refereeing. Hanratty also reminisces about hosting the first WSKA competition in Calgary in 1991, along with some other memorable competitions in which he has participated.

Sensei Hanratty describes one of the best fights he ever saw, which took place in 1977 at Crystal Palace, in south London, between Shotokan legends Steve Cattle and Terry O’Neill. He also discusses the differences between KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) rules and sport karate rules.

Sensei Hanratty delves into the history of karate competitions, including some of the more controversial and colourful individuals involved. He also discusses the purpose of competition and the variations in how points are awarded by different organizations, particularly the JKA and the WKF, as well as in the Olympics.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the principles of basic karate stances, looking at the distinguishing features of inside tension and outside tension stances.

Sensei Hanratty discusses how the Canadian Shotokan Karate Association (CSKA) and the World Shotokan Karate Association (WSKA) got their starts. He offers an inside look at the personalities and politics.

Sensei Hanratty discusses what first attracted him to karate and the tough upbringing in post-war Liverpool that preceded his karate journey. Dan Kostka with Deep Stance Media, a longtime student of Hanratty's, conducts the interview.