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The first-ever Asian Culture & Martial Arts Expo was held October 25, 2003 at the Rochester Regional Recreation & Sports Center, Rochester Community & Technical College. The event was sponsored by the RCTC Asian Student Organization and the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. Proceeds from the event benefitted the RCTC Asian Student Scholarships.

Considering that this was the first time that we have held such an event, we were very pleased with the results. The RCTC Asian Student Organization received over $1,700.00 in scholarship donations. We are already coming up with ideas to make this event bigger and better next year.

Frank Crow: Facility Planning Committee Chairman Sue Crow: Facility Planning Literature and Signage Pam Kachmarzinski: Publicity, Cultural Event Coordinator Kirby Strissel: Planning, Event Scheduling William Xiong: Planning, Videographer Rick Y: Planning, Asian Community Publicity Fred Gommels: Director, Martial Art Fitness Centers Kim Sin: President, Asian Student Organization

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At the Asian Culture and Martial Arts Expo on October 25, 2003, Dr. Haruo Okazaki was honored as the Rochester Area's Pioneer of Martial Arts for bringing martial arts to the Rochester area. Dr. Okazaki was the founder of the Rochester Judo Club at the YMCA in 1966. In 1973, he began teaching Aiki-jujutsu. In the 1980's he was one of the co-founders of the Rochester Kendo Club.

Dr. Okazaki started his martial arts training in 1943 in Japan. Over the course of his martial arts career, he trained in judo, aikido, tae kwon do, shotokan karate, kendo and aiki-jujutsu. He attained master level of fifth dan in aiki-jujutsu.

Fred Gommels, director of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc., started training with Dr. Okazaki in the early 1970's, studying aiki-jujutsu and shotokan karate. Through his teaching efforts, Mr. Gommels credits Dr. Okazaki with indirectly affecting the martial arts careers of all of the students at the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. Thank you, Dr. Okazaki.

From Left: Fred Gommels, Dr. Haruo Okazaki, Bikhar Okazaki, Myrna Gommels

Aikido differs from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to neutralize an attacker without causing serious injury. He harmonizes with the attack rather than confronting the attack, converting it into a circular motion that unbalances the attacker. Instead of using potentially crippling kicks or punches, the aikido practitioner will apply wristlocks, arm pins or throws to neutralize the aggressor.

Aikido of Rochester
Noble Simpson
Doug Kautz

Hapkido comes from Korea. It combines techniques from the Japanese martial arts of judo, yawara and aikido with the strikes and kicks of Korean Tae Kwon Do. The hapkido practitioner will apply joint locks, throws and restraining techniques to neutralize an attacker.

Martial Arts Fitness Centers
Kirby Strissel
Jeff Clark

Jodo is the Japanese method of stick fighting using a four-foot stick called a jo. The jo becomes a spear as you thrust and a sword as you sweep or strike. Not only does the jo train your body, but it also trains your spirit, teaching self-protection and quick response as well as the samurai virtues of love, justice, gratitude, intelligence, faith and courage.

All Japan Jodo Federation
Midori Kuriyama

Jujitsu combines standing defense techniques (blocking, striking, joint locks and throws) with ground-fighting techniques (escapes, strikes and joint locks).

Rochester Jujitsu Academy
Trevor Johnson

Kendo Is the Japanese art of fencing with bamboo swords and armor for safety. Kendo practice molds the mind and body, cultivating courtesy, honor, sincerity and a vigorous spirit.

Hokkyokusei Kendo Kai
Steve Voss

Kung Fu is a generic term for the unarmed martial arts originating in China. Wushu kung fu is designed for general fitness, self-defense and total conditioning, both mental and physical.

Wushu Kung Fu Twin Cities
Pao Vang, performance leader

Karate developed on the small island of Okinawa as a practical method of weaponless self-defense. Designed for close-in combat, karate controls the opponent by blocking and grabbing while employing powerful kicking, and striking techniques to disable the opponent.

Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester
Frank Crow
Sue Crow

Historically, kobudo predates karate as a means of self-defense. As the samurai of ancient Okinawa were disarmed by conquering Japanese, kobudo developed out of the samurai techniques of sword and spear fighting. However, it utilized implements commonly available to an Okinawan farmer or fisherman.

Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester
Frank Crow
Sue Crow

TaeKwonDo is Korea's national sport. It employs hand strikes and awesome kicks for self-defense and fitness.

Martial Arts Fitness Centers
Chuck Spencer
Tim Postier
Jim Dunlap
Sue Savage

Tai Chi is a soft form of Kung Fu characterized by very slow, balanced and graceful movements. It is often practiced as a form of callisthenic exercise.

Charles Liu

The White Tigers have performed at many local martial arts events, as well as in Shihung, South Korea. Always a hit with the crowd, the White Tigers combine athleticism with edge-of-the-seat choreography and a flair for drama.

Martial Arts Fitness Centers
Jeff Clark
John Cruz
Josh Gommels
Josh Jorgensen

The wooden sword resembles the Japanese sword called a katana. Its purpose is to enable students to safely practice sword techniques.

Martial Arts Fitness Centers
Chris Hagness