The origin
Problems
A solution
Black belt list
Still in progress
Looking at the evolution of Kyokushin Karate in Haiti, the technical level and international rank of Shihan, sensei to justify it. The number of schools affiliated, the amount of black belt registered at the International Kyokushin Karate Organization, we can't pretend to forget, ignore or dismiss those who have started it all.
It is said: "If you give a lot, you will receive twice is much"
Kyokushin Karate began in Haiti in the 1960's. According to one of my instructor, it's all started with Mr Antony Pierre sensei, Jacques Jadotte now Shihan, the late Louis Florival sensei, Jean Claude Morris sensei, Mario Mompoint sensei and Georges Edward sensei to list just a few of the most well-known.
If in the beginning these men were selfish, independent or reserved, maybe today we would not have a Kyokushin Karate in Haiti. Maybe we would also in the other end but it would not be the same with such a rich and unique story. Kyokushin would have been in Haiti but certainly at a lower level.
Once I decided that I want to write this book about Kyokushin in Haiti, I set out to find the truth. I have met with Antony Pierre sensei with whom I had a very informative conversation in which he told me how it all started.
After several years of practicing Shotokan Karate, he received from a friend name Biassou, a Kyokushin book "Vital Karate" that was in 1967. Since his interest for that particular style grew and he went on to pursue the knowledge of Mas Oyama karate. Now keep in mind it's only ten years after Oyama had made official his style of karate. During that time television was the most expensive thing one could have in their home. Telephone was still a novelty item. Above all the government was against the idea of people learning how to fight without a weapon (empti hand)
Needless to say communication between Haiti and Japon one can imagine was almost impossible. But the desire to succed in his venture lead him to magazins from all over the world where he would find valuable information about kyokushin or about Oyama who in order to better present his books, sent one of his student to learn photograpy so he could have his own photographer and real pictures instead of drawing. As his continued on his path, he received another Kyokushin book. "This is Karate" one of the most important karate book published by Mas Oyama. The book was in English but when you put your heart into something somehow you get blessed to do it right, there was a French translation inside. As his getting to realize the big difference and the efficacity of the style in comparative to the other style, he decided to focus totaly on the karate of Mas Oyama. Then he went on trying to convert every body in a campagne that started in Cap-Haitian with Jacques Jadotte now Shihan and Branch Chief for Haiti at the IKO-3, Mario Mompoint now sensei and director of Capo-Sport. They did not hesitate to change from Shotokan to Kyokushin. They pursue their sturdy through books like :Advanced Karate"that also came in. This particular book is considered today like the bible of karate and the price tag is way above certain wallet.
With a good amount of informations Tony and Neumours Carre offered a Karate demonstration at College Saint Pierre that attracted Louis Florival and Jean Claude Morris. These two after seing the efficacity and the reality of the kyokushin fights didn't take long to swicth over. During that same periode other pratictioners of shotokan have also switched to kyokushin or to Tae Kwon Do like Abel Romain and Leo Cartright. Others like the brothers Henry and Lionel Abellard, John and Henry-Claude Gallan have remained in the style of shotokan.
The haitian karate evolved in its own way, traditional and effective. There were many students if taking in account the amount of people who are telling you they were students or who are still practicing. There was a need for training and the desire was at it's peak level. On one side there was the competition between the different styles and on the other there was the actual situation of the country.
It was a great periode. Karate demonstration was always sold out. Full attendence in class tuition paid or pure genuin from the heart services. They followed a step by step program from books and promote themselves to rank accordingly. One very important thing to notice is that they didn't claimed to be what they were not. They have learned and passed along the information with the same principals which by the way was correct.
They had no teachers but they studied and practiced to near perfection what others have learned for many years with a "Japanese Master."
We must honor them, give them what they deserve and pay them all their due respect. Because if today we can speak about Kyokushin Karate in Haiti, or about Haitian Karateka in Japan, it's all thanks to them.
