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| Kyoshi Bateman (R) with his group of winners from the recent Commonwealth games, held annually in Roanoke, VA |
For Jeff Bateman, the
sport of karate has become more than a healthy outlet to get rid of excessive
aggression or a defense mechanism used to scare away intruders. For the
lifelong Hampton, VA resident and owner of the Isshinkan Academy of Martial Arts
which bears his name, karate has provided an opportunity for the 54-year old to
excel at the highest levels of his craft.
Since beginning his
training in 1980, Bateman has earned numerous titles, while rising to the ranks
of 7th Degree black belt (Nanadan) in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate and
4th Degree black belt (Yondan) in Zen Okinawan Kobudo. Much of his
training has been conducted under the guidance and tutelage of Master Tadashi
Yamashita, with whom he has been affiliated since 1988.
One of the highlights
for Bateman’s students occurs during the third week of every July when his
young group of martial artists loads up in carpools and heads to Roanoke for
the annual Subway Commonwealth Games. The Games (commonwealthgames.org), which
just concluded their 23rd competition has grown by leaps and bounds
since its humble beginning from a $175,000 grant, provided by Virginia Amateur
Sports Inc. Says Bateman, “The games have grown. Now we call it the Mini-Olympics
because it covers everything from A to W – Archery to Wrestling.” Bateman notes
that the Games started in 1990 with “about 33 sports,” but have since grown to
over 60 individual and team events. The economic impact is especially
beneficial for the region; the Games contribute an estimated $4 million to the
Roanoke Valley.
One highlight of the
games, just like with the regular Olympics is the opening ceremony. At the
Commonwealth Games, over 10,000 athletes, coaches and spectators pack the Roanoke
Civic Center to take in the pomp and pageantry which mark the beginning of the
multi-sport festival.
But the Games are about
more than the glitz and glamour. Each medal winner from 2011 and 2012 has also
earned the opportunity to compete in the State Games of America, which will be
held next year in Hershey and Harrisburg, PA.
Since the Games are
open to athletes of all ages and skill levels, Bateman gets to compete with his
students. At this year’s karate competition, both teacher and students won
medals. Kyoshi Bateman earned a gold medal in weapons kata as well as a bronze
in the open hand kata.
Several students joined their teacher on the medal stand. Twelve-year old Austin Abrams won
three bronze medals – in open hand kata, weapons kata and kumite (fighting).
Ten-year old Jarod
Riggle placed third to earn a bronze, also in the kumite competition. Overall,
eight of Bateman’s students, several from Suffolk where his school originated,
earned medals to advance to the State Games.
While winning medals is
a positive by-product of their training, Bateman is quick to point out that the
core of his philosophy starts off the mat.
“Academics come first.
Grades are the most important thing. The parents want the discipline and
structure of karate for their kids and they ask for it. Every week, our
students are required to bring in their report card.” For a student to maintain
a place inside the dojo, his or her grades must be acceptable.
The balance of
academics and athletics works well for the students of the Isshinkan Academy,
and after “30 or so” years as one of the premier karate instructors in America,
Bateman shows no signs of slowing down.
The
Hampton dojo for Jeff Bateman’s School of Karate is located at 1343-B North King
St. (down the street from the Langley AFB King St. gate.) The phone number is
757-722-BELT (2358), while the website can be found at www.jbkarate.com.
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