Understanding the importance of Education in life, and Karate, I continue to profess my believe on furthering education to all I encounter in the Martial Arts.

In 1997 I became the director of the Karate Instructors Program (KIP) at Long Island University under Doctor Milorad V. Stricevic.

 

Martialforce.com: Have you taught family members?  How different is it and what adjustments if any have to be made?

 

GEORGE ASCHKAR:  I started teaching my Son, Badyr Aschkar, and initially was no different than teaching all other children or adults in Class, but it came a time and age when the Son and Father relationship got on the way. One does not, at times, know how to act in a given situation does one act as a parent or a teacher?  These mixed feelings can interrupt the training class, the family member’s progress, and can affect one’s teaching methods and philosophy as well. Adjustments, if ever so slight, have to be made and eventually, as with my Son things work themselves out. There was a time my son regretted being in my class, learning from me, and at times seemed to dislike me for it but as he grew then he became more accepting of the training and relationship developed in the Dojo carrying to family home and life. I taught him Karate and the fact that education was of Great importance in his life. He graduated from College, with a Master degree in Education and is presently one of my Black Belts and Senior taking over the classes. Eventually he will be taking over all teaching responsibilities as well as running the Dojo business.  My daughter Ayumi, I taught the importance of learning business administration. She presently operates and runs our Children Care program.

 

 

 

Martialforce.com: As an element of your Karate Teaching, have you expanded in the area of teaching the masses in the Martial Arts?

 

GEORGE ASCHKAR:  Yes indeed, and in 1997 I began to collaborate in writing a number of Karate Instruction books and organizing and presenting karate seminars, along side Doctor Milorad V. Stricevic. Some of which include the following:

                       

1998 –    

Present

 

 

 

Martialforce.com: You are a re-known humble and influential man in your community and Internationally, so our readers can learn about the Man/ Martial Artist can you provide some information on your contributions?

 

GEORGE ASCHKAR:  As a Native Haitian, I dreamed to bring Karate-Do to Haiti, and in 1998 began to supervise the development of Karate in Haiti with Patrick Morin, Sensei, who is one of my original students and is currently residing in Haiti.

 

2001 –      Successfully organized the Traditional Karate Tournament in Haiti integrating WUKO Present     Rules.

 

2005 -     Organized and hosted a successful karate competition at Long Island University, which Present  was a co-venture with Kyodai Dojo with the added implementations of Tatami (Mats) and score boards.

 

2005 –      Founded the New York Traditional Karate League (NYTKL) of which I am currently the Present     President, to propagate the traditional teaching of Karate-Do incorporating/ emphasizing the element of competition, as well as to develop a closer camaraderie between Teachers and different Systems of The Martial Arts. We own all of our own tournament equipment including mats, crowd barriers, scoreboards etc. We help with identifying the nest N.Y karate athletes by ranking them in yearly seasonal competitions. We started with 5 Dojo (Halls of training) and are currently comprised of 32 that have joined us from various styles. We have instituted a Scholarship Program to assist karate students financially as they attend College or higher education institutions. The NYTKL also assist elite athletes financially to represent New York State Nationally and Internationally. Training is an important element of the Organization as we have a judge/referee corp., a coach’s corp., and a volunteer corp., for our competitions and they all receive training and refresher training to qualify.

 

2006 –       Co-Founded the Haitian Sport Foundation (HSF) the non-profit 5013 organization   Present      dedicated to helping children from the ages of 7-17 in various recreational and academic   areas such as Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, English tutorials, Math tutorials, as well as   assisting in an after school program. We also offer financial assistance throughout the year in our after school and karate initiatives. We organize and bring volunteers from  other countries to Haiti that aid in our various programs.

 

2009 –      Aided in the Haitian Sports Foundation (HSF) in the recovery after the 2009 earthquake. Present     The efforts provided 3 months of food for over 200 children. Was able to provide this assistance through our persistent fundraising efforts and community partnership.

 

2009 –      The New York Traditional Karate League (NYTKL) has established an annual karate Present     camp to assist N.Y. athletes in their preparation for national and international  competitions. We host 5-6 tournaments per year to rank the best elite athletes. We also have a yearly picnic at the park or at the beach to promote a family atmosphere for all the NYTKL clubs. We have also established an annual award celebration and scholarship dinner to honor competitors, thank our parents, volunteers, coaches and               judges/referees their hard work and dedication during our karate season from January to November calendar year.

 

2011 –     Started sanctioning the New York Traditional Karate League (NYTKL) to allow a State Present    Qualifier in New York and therefore have the ability to send our athletes to the USA Karate Nationals.

 

2012        Six athletes from the NYTKL were finalist during the USA Karate Nationals held in Florida this past July. These elite athletes will have a chance to compete as USA team members for the Pan American Federation Tournament in August 2012 and will also have the opportunity to participate during the world competition in Paris, France this November.

 

Martialforce.com: Would you attribute any credit to your Success in Life to Education and specially Karate?

 

GEORGE ASCHKAR:  Yes I do, education is a great key to success and advancement. Through the portals of education one can enter a life of success. I learned that studies and hard work pays off.  My training in Karate helped me with basic life needs as well as teaching me to have the discipline to reach for my goals and achieve in whatever field I venture. I am a believer that to succeed one should Never loose track of Goals set (Family First) and not to allow oneself to be distracted from what One does best and follow through. “One must think outside the Box”, that is why in 1979 after I opened my own Karate school, I know that I wanted to liberate myself  from the paying of Rent to a Landlord, I knew that I wanted to Buy and own the building and after several years I achieved that.  I continued investments in the Real State business and with time I have been able to make several purchases of buildings and real state in the New York City area.

 

Martialforce.com: What do you think about the state of the Martial Arts in this Country?

 

GEORGE ASCHKAR:  I believe that it has become a fractured state in need to return to Unity, Understanding and Camaraderie. For the Martial Arts to continue expanding and developing the family must become One, in sharing and support. We must continue teaching, not just our own students but others in that we gain by sharing knowledge and support.

 

Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts and opinions on high Rankings in the Martial Arts?

 

I never trained thinking about Rank or expecting it, not only because during the Era when I started training Rank was not one of the things in mind or concern, but because I never thought about the learning of Karate for the purpose to achieve Rank. I learned lessons in Karate-Do “The Way” to enhance myself and optimize my potential to reach all my dreams and aspirations.  I never thought that I should or would reach High Rank, but have reached Respected Rank- Hachidan (8^th Degree Black Belt) through dedication to training, teaching, fellowship, education, support for others- individually and the support of various Organizations.

 

Martialforce.com: Is there anything else of importance you want to transmit to those around you?

All through my Martial Arts Journey I thought about passing Martial Arts Skills, and with the passing of time and the application of all principles learned I set on the quest to pass on the Business Administration aspect of the Martial Arts.  “We have to responsibly teach our students to think outside the box, and teach them skills on efficiently running a Dojo as a business, and expanding into other business ventures.”