MARTIAL ARTS | “Series like Cobra Kai give a wrong image of martial arts”

With almost half a century dedicated body and soul to the development of Karate and numerous national and international recognitions, Elche sensei José Abad has organized the VII Edition of Budosophy in Elchea convention of the Cultural Association of Spanish Martial Arts (TACAME) that will bring together 25 great teachers from different disciplines in the city on May 5 and 6.

With the monographic theme ‘The art of dodgingKarate, Kung Fu, Judo, Jujitsu, Taekwondo and Hapkido teachers will share their knowledge in a national meeting in which the Elche City Council and the city’s Hikers Union collaborate.

Abad is a member of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society in Okinawa. and from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai of Kyoto (Japan) and Shigan Honor Award for his exemplary Camino en el Karate and gold medal from the Council of Masters of Spanish Martial Arts.

always active

Sensei Abad has already retired from training, but He is still active altruistically sharing his knowledge against violence prevention, teaching courses for health workers, gender violence and violence in the classroom. Currently, he holds the fifth Dan in Karate Jutsu. Although he has never really been one of those who value degrees, because for him, «The purpose of martial arts is not to achieve, but rather to the integral development of the individual through martial practice, as a person, regardless of whether he knows how to defend himself or not. They are the best tool for the comprehensive development of a child, due to their psychomotricity and the values ​​of their code of conduct: formation of personality, rectitude, effort, perseverance, respect for others… What should be instilled in children? the students. This is not a sport, because we do not award prizes for practicing to get medals. Martial art is a philosophy of life whose main objective is to be a better person. And that if at a certain moment there is a dangerous situation, that you know how to manage it, but always from the point of view of the defense”.

beyond stereotypes

In fact, Buddhism goes beyond the traditional stereotype of martial arts, in which their teachers jealously guard their knowledge.. «The philosophy of this event is precisely the opposite, sharing martial arts. In fact, one of the requirements of this event is that all teachers, regardless of the Danes we have, go with the white belt and with the illusion of a white belt to learn. And we all came to exhibit our work. Here everyone is equal and we all learn from each other. There is also no charge for offering your knowledge. Everyone pays their own expenses.”

Budosophy is “the philosophy of martial art, which beyond a practice in itself as a fightIt has to have some components of philosophy, education, respect and values”, explains José Abad.

Thus, «Series like “Cobra Kai”, can do more damage than anything else, because the image they give of martial arts is wrong. Our goal is not to win championships or be better than the enemy, but to be a better you, every day. The goal is for each one to improve each day and overcome the obstacles of life. And may this effort be used for any matter of your day to day.

federated or not

Do you have to be federated to practice martial arts? “No. The only thing is so that they recognize you if you want to take a grade exam, which is not my case, but to avoid any suspicion I am still a member of the federation, now with a retirement card. But I do not follow the line of the Federation, which only deals with sports competition. I am there but I do not accept that the development of Karate is this, because they have made it a competitive model in which if you don’t win tournaments you are nobody. And I do not consider that to be the foundation of the training, “says Abad.

This entity, Budosophy, “was established in order to guard the cultural and educational assets of martial arts, but not to organize championshipsbut rather to bring together teachers from different disciplines so that they share their knowledge and keep it safe”, explains the teacher from Elche.

“We are all the same”

Abad emphasizes that «in Budosophy no one is more or better than anyone else and we are all willing to learn from other martial arts, because ultimately they all have one thing in common, movement. In the fight there are no differences between the different styles. The goal is always the same: preserve your integrity, defend yourself. Martial arts arose in each area and in each country based on the needs they have. So, is it necessary to learn to defend yourself? «Yes, because the human being has reached where he is defending himself. First from animal predators and then from human invaders. Since ancient times, defense systems have emerged that have been improved throughout history. Those who have developed their defense the most have been the oriental peoples and especially the Japanesewho through Zen Buddhism have sought to improve the individual through the practice of martial arts, not just to defend themselves.

Related news

That this event is held in Elche is no coincidence. First, it is organized by the teacher Abad, but it is also that “the city, like the province of Alicante in general, has a wide range of offers to practice martial arts (judo, Taekwondo and karate). And we also have kikcboxing and boxing, which are booming.

Get to know Elche

Budosophy, which will take place on May 5 and 6, will include theoretical and practical presentations by the speakers, as well as training in the afternoon on the beaches of Elche. «We met to share a passion for martial arts and at the same time get to know Elcheits coast and gastronomy, which has been an important incentive because there are many people who have never come”, says sensei Abad.