Hands up! [gif]

[lkfmdc]

[sanjuro_ronin]

I was up for being the Canadian rep for Daidojuku back in the early 2000's.
I declined due to family issues.

Was on the fence about it anyways since I am not a fan of the headgear.

[lkfmdc]

I used to be one of the strongest voices in the US FOR headgear.....

Based in no small part from having done full contact taekwondo the summer that those people died from head kicks, one was even someone we had known

As science and my experiences in combat sports moves forward, now I am against head gear... funny huh?

Some say that makes my a hypocrite, but really it means I keep learning and update my opinions/positions based upon the latest info

[Kellen Bassette]

The lack of punching to the head changes the fundamental shape of the fighting as has been said... and since you can't punch, of course you kick in close...

Well, that and the fact there was no clinch allowed....

Jon Bluming, with his Judo training, of course was opposed to this format, and was very vocal (well, he was very vocal about everything) to Oyama about this, when push came to shove, Bluming did in fact throw people in Oyama's dojo

Bluming suggested to Oyama to change the format.. at least to include the Judo throws and some ground... Oyama resisted....

The story goes, Oyama eventually said he wanted to see a draft of some new rules, those rules were brought to him, and while at the last minute he still felt such a change would split his organization, he approved the author of those new rules to start his own organization with those rules... that became Daido Juku

I'm told by some Kyokushin folks I know, that their rules are changing and they are beginning to allow clinch and Judo style throws.
I'm not sure if this is across the board or limited to certain tournaments or organizations.