Kaarta Sports by Thierno Diallo

Time to hand out awards to the athletes who we believe are the GOAT’s (Greatest Of All Time) in hoops and football!  There are a few of you (those that don’t pay close attention to the sports) who may disagree with me, and there are many of you who understand… Game recognize game! Feel free to add comments!!! HOOPS – The Black Mamba! I know what a lot of you are thinking… What about Mike!? What about PRINCE James!? MJ invented the killer fade away. MJ broke teams down with his ability to take over games and his “refuse to lose” attitude. Kobe clearly stole MJ’s moved, however he made them better! Kobe can shoot from anywhere on the floor… and I mean ANYWHERE! LBJ is a physical beast! He dominates the basketball floor with his physical presence, incredible athleticism, and court awareness. Only one problem… his heart pumps cherry flavor Kool Aid!  Time will tell if LBJ’s services in South Beach pay off.  I have never heard of a KING that has NO rings…  Maybe 6 years from now I’ll crown LBJ a KING, until then PRINCE James can not be awarded a KSA. Kobe is clearly playing in a generation where the athletes are superior to MJ’s generation (Just take a look at some old school pictures or footage of the NBA during the early 90′s). The game is faster, and more compact now that teams can play a form of zone defense. Please enjoy the highlight reel so you can understand be reminded why Kobe gets the vote for GOAT in basketball!  Check out what Kobe has already achieved… The Black Mamba is still handling his biz night in and night out.  I see the focus in press conferences this year…  Kobe wants his 6th cookie!!!  Kobe doesn’t want to be compared to MJ…  He clearly wants to be remembered as better then MJ! 5× NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010) NBA Most Valuable Player (2008) 12× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2010) 2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007) 8× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2010) 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001) 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005) 8× All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2010) 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997) 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009) NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner (1997) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996) FOOTIE – Zizou! Yes, Maradona and Pele were both very special players,  both of these players were clearly ahead of their time.  Pele was playing during a time when the athletes had part time jobs.  There is no doubt in my mind that Pele could have been a good player in today’s game.  However, when I watch some of the old footage of Pele’s playing days, I wonder if that generation would be able to handle 3rd division clubs of this generation.  Maradona was very special!  He played during a time when the athletes were somewhat stronger, faster, and the game had evolved a bit from Pele’s playing days.  Maradona amazed us all on the world’s biggest stage (World Cup).  Maradona was dominant on the pitch…  tormenting defenses every time he had the ball on his feet.  I would also like to mention great players such as Ruud Gullit, Reberto Baggio, George Weah, Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, and Louis Figo.  There are many great players that have made their mark on the worlds most beautiful game. Zinadine Zidane in my opinion is the GOAT when it comes to soccer.  His balance on the ball, vision on the pitch, delicate touches, and powerful shot make him the most dominant player on any field!  A few key moments that will always remain etched in my memory… 1.  France VS England Euro 2004…  Around the 90th minute…  Free kick from outside the box, all the pressure on his shoulders, and calmly blasts the ball into the net to level the score 1-1!  Moments later, after a Stevie G blunder, Zizou slots it past Calamity James to win the game for France. 2.  France VS Italy World Cup 2006… Who in their right mind has the nerve to go for a “Panenka”?  Not to mention Buffon (Some would argue the best goalkeeper in the world at that time) in goal!  Zizou!!!  Il est trops fort!!!! 3.  France VS Brazil World Cup 2006… One of the best individual performances I have ever watched in my life!  Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Co looked like a bunch of school boys!  What a performance!!!  Many thought it would be Zidane’s last game.  I’m guessing that Zidane wanted to remind the world why he is the GOAT at Brazil’s expense…  If you haven’t had a chance to watch that game, please dig into the archives, throw some pop corn in the microwave, and enjoy! Check out Zidane’s achievements…  In case you forgot how brilliant Zizou was,  take a few moments to watch the video with some of his highlights.  Believe me, the highlights don’t even tell a quarter of the story!!! Girondins Bordeaux UEFA Intertoto Cup: Winner: 1995 UEFA Cup: Runner-up: 1995-96 Juventus Serie A: Winner: 1996-97, 1997-98 Runner-up: 1999-00, 2000-01 Supercoppa Italiana: Winner: 1997 Runner-up: 1998 UEFA Champions League: Runner-up: 1996-97, 1997-98 UEFA Super Cup: Winner: 1996 Intercontinental Cup: Winner: 1996 UEFA Intertoto Cup: Winner: 1999 Real Madrid La Liga: Winner: 2002-03 Runner-up: 2004-05, 2005-06 Supercopa de España: (more…)

Anderson “The Spider” Silva In my opinion, the greatest known fighter in the world! Anderson Silva is a complete fighter. His striking game, astounding! His ground game, brilliant! What’s also very remarkable are the names of the victims caught in the spider’s web. In case you have not had the opportunity to see him in action, enjoy some of his best highlights! The Spider is a remarkable athlete. If you’ve taken the time to watch the highlights, I’m sure you’ll agree that the way he slips punches and reacts to his opponents is quite extraordinary. Pay attention to how agile, nimble, and focused Silva is. it’s no wonder he strikes with the precision of a true lion! When was the last time you did some reactive training? My favorite reactive exercises involve the reactive ball. At the end of tough workout, I will at times have my clients make multi-directional quick movements on a matted area. I toss the reactive ball, and expect my clients to catch the ball after one bounce. Three minutes with one the right hand, followed by another three minutes catching with the left usually does the trick! This exercise promotes good hand eye coordination, improves agility, and elevates the heart rate!

UNDERSTANDING THE GAME Shotokan is a style of karate developed from various martial arts.  Shotokan originates from Japan and was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945).  Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Funakoshi. Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: Ki-hon (basics), Kata (forms or patterns of moves), and Ku-mite (sparring).  Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs.  Kumite (meeting of hands) techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but are less structured, with a focus instead on speed and efficiency. Gichin Funakoshi laid out the twenty precepts of karate, which form the foundations of the art. Within these twenty principles, lies the philosophy of Shotokan. The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inward and outward calmness. It was Funakoshi’s belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person. A dojo ,is a Japanese term which literally means “place of the way”. Initially, dojos were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese “do” arts, but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to conduct training. The Dojo Kun lists five philosophical rules for training in the dojo; seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor to excel, respect others, and refrain from violent behavior. (Wiki) EXCEL MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING CENTER (EMATC) My journey on this planet has brought me to Syracuse, New York.  While searching for a gym where I could handle my biz (provide personal/group training services), I was fortunate to cross paths with my brother El-Java Abdul-Qadir.  Shihan (master instructor)  El-Java is a fourth degree black belt in shotokan karate, a world champion, and currently ranked number one by the North American Sport Karate Association. Through the blessings of Allah, El-Java and I have formed an incredible friendship and working relationship!  I am now a proud member of the EMATC team!  I have started handling “Biz Ness!!” and I have added Shotokan karate to my fitness regimen. MY MMA EXPERIENCE Back in the days when I lived in Niamey, Niger (1987-1990) I practiced Taekwondo under the tutelage of Master Cho!  I was a very good student.  I represented my dojo very well and was invited to the national tournament for kids.  I got my but kicked, but honestly, I think I was caught up in the “flashing lights”.  I still remember my friend Jonathan Mvie consoling me after my defeat…  It wasn’t easy losing, especially with my family, my classmates, and what seemed like the entire world watching! Fast forward to 2006…  I started getting more involved in “The sweet science” otherwise known as the sport of boxing.  Boxing has been a big part of my training routine every since.  It is one of my favorite forms or cardiovascular training and I encourage my clients to box for a workout as a part of their training program.  I’ve been involved in training professional boxers, amateur boxers, as well as sparring at gyms such as the world renown Gleesons Gym in Brooklyn, NY. I am a big fan of mixed martial arts.  I am thrilled to add Shotokan to my repertoire.  Some of my favorite fighters have a background in Shotokan Karate, namely George St. Pierre and Lyoto Machida.  Rank is used in karate to indicate experience, expertise, and to a lesser degree, seniority. As with many martial arts, Shotokan uses a system of colored belts to indicate rank.  I am now… 9th KYU White Belt (Beginner) Heian Shodan translates as, “Peaceful mind, first level.” and is the first of the series of five Heian kata. It teaches the karateka to ground himself in strong stances. Thus it represents Earth. It is one of the most basic kata and is usually the first kata a karateka learns. There is an emphasis on basic low blocks/strikes and stepping punch, moving through the center and building strong and low front stances, hammer fist technique and face blocks/strikes, including transitionally timed blocks and strikes, back stance knife hand block/strike, proper basic breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, reconnection. (www.heianshodan.com) This is the first Kata I will be required to perform.