Adding another accolade
to a long list of achievements, Jeff Bateman, the lifelong Hampton (VA) resident, karate
instructor and owner of the Isshinkan Academy of Martial Arts, was recently
inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
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| Kyoshi Bateman (far right) with a group of medal winning students at last year's Commonwealth Games |
Over his long and
illustrious career, Bateman has earned numerous awards and titles, while rising
to the ranks of 8th Degree black belt in karate and 7th
Degree black belt 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.
While entering a Hall
of Fame is not unusual for the 54-year old Bateman (he is already recognized as
a Hall of Famer by 12 different sanctions), there were a couple of noteworthy
twists at the most recent ceremony, which was held in Tannersville, PA this past
June.
The first surprise for
Bateman came when he saw the list of inductees.
“If you have ever seen
the (1988) movie “Bloodsport,” the character that Jean-Claude Van Damme plays
is a guy named Frank Dux. The movie is based on the true story of Dux
(pronounced Dukes), who infiltrated the underground (and illegal) Kumite matches
of Hong Kong, while gaining notoriety as a fighter for things like scoring the
quickest knockout.”
At the World Karate
Union ceremony, Dux was inducted next to Bateman (“he was one and I was two”),
as both men were awarded the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award of Honor in
testament to their 30-plus years of martial arts instruction.
The second special
event came in the form of two more Hall of Fame inductions, to Bateman’s
students, turned fledgling teachers, Nathan Luckado and Brandon Kolipano.
“That was the neatest
thing,” said Bateman. “Martial arts is all about respect, dedication and
loyalty. They make time out of their busy schedules to come out from Virginia Beach
and Whaleysville volunteering to teach and help me. Both have been with me for
over ten years.” Luckado and Kolipano were nominated by their mentor and inducted
as Associate Instructors of the Year.
In the past year,
Bateman has closed his dojo on North King St., but is now working in
conjunction with the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department and operating his
school on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Fort Monroe Community Center.
After over a year of peaceful
negotiations, the city and the teacher came to an agreement that appears at
face value to be symbiotic.
“They (Hampton Parks
and Rec) wanted me to teach, and I wanted to be on Fort Monroe.”
While the early membership numbers are low,
Bateman retains optimism.
“Our student base is
not there yet,” admits the kyoshi. “Some of our students from the old school
came over. But the economy is tight, and it can be hard to ask someone to pay
money for karate lessons when they might need it for...well, food!”
Speaking of the other
positive aspects to be gained, Bateman continues. “I want to make lessons
affordable for people. Our classes are right on the water, overlooking the
Hampton River. The scenery is beautiful. The facility is beautiful. And the
instruction is top notch.”
The
Hampton dojo for Jeff Bateman’s Isshinkan Academy of Martial Arts has moved to
the Ft. Monroe Community Center, which is located on the former Army base at
100 Stirwell Rd. Current classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from
5:30-8:00. For more information, call their phone number at 757-544-KICK (5425),
while the website can be found at www.jbkarate.com.
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