Still Kicking After All These Years

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 7^th Degree black belt (Nanadan) in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate and 4^th 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 23^rd 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.