Don's first experience with Martial Arts was in Judo. It wasn't until Chilliwack got it's first Karate dojo a few years later did he decide to try it out. His first Sensei was a fellow by the name of Rob Gail, described to me as man with a great love of the art, a wonderful understanding of the philosophy of Karate and fantastic form even though his bad hips prevented him from doing Jodan kicks. Gail was a great first teacher to Sensei, as it was imparting of the Philosophy of Karate that peaked his interest. A good teacher can show you how to kick and punch and move your hips. A great teacher is one that can capture your imagination, feed your soul and make you understand the true purpose of what you are working for. Sensei Gail would eventually join the military and leave his Dojo to Sensei Sharp. Years later he would become Sharp Sensei's student and they remain good friends to this day.
When Don was 13 he began attending the sessions of a visiting Karate legend from Montreal. At first Don Sharps relationship with Sensei Sakurai would be much the same anyones, even mine. Respect and awe, only. It wasn't until a few years later when the winds of change blew Sakurai Sensei to the west coast and the course of history begin to change for both these 2. Everything, it seems, happens for a reason.
When Don reached the age of 20, he found himself sitting next to Sensei Sakruai at a pub night after Karate Training. Usually, the Kohi's don't sit next to the sensei's, but it was Don's birthday so he found himself up near the head of the table. Don and Sensei Sakurai got to talking about the english teaching job in Fujieda. In one of those conversations that seemed like fate, Don found divine inspiration in the idea of training in Japan. It was also at this time that Sakurai Sensei would be returning home to for a few years to deal with family matters. So, in 1991, at the age of 20, Don Sharp left home and went to Japan to teach english and train Karate.
Sensei Sharp described himself as having an A type personality. I guess this is key because during his stay in Japan, which lasted most of 2 years, he won the Shizuoka Kata Championship. An award won 2 or 3 times by Sensei Sakurai himself.
In 1992, Sensei Sakurai managed to convince team Canada to take Don Sharp to the Shotokan World Cup as a team member even though he had not been living in Canada for the past few years. Don did compete, he made it through the first round, but found a quick defeat at the hands of Hanzaki Sensei. This would turn out to be an important lesson, one that is better learned when you are young.
In 1993, Sharp Sensei returned home to Canada with a heightened sense of what it would take to compete at this level. At home he would work ten times harder. He surrounded himself with some of the best Karate-ka in BC, including Dave Thompson and a few others who would help him train. Sensei would train with one partner, wear him down, switch partners while the others rested and keep a rotation going for several hours a day. Sensei Sakurai provided speedy Japanese competitors for Don to practice with as well. 2 years with this sort of training and support, Sensei would return to Japan in '96 to take a second crack at the world cup.
To make it to the top 8 at the Shotokan World Cup, Sensei Sharp had to win 17 or so rounds of competition. When he did this, the organizers stopped the tournament. They needed to take a few hours to figure out just who this guy, a no name unheard of, from Canada was. Up until that point, Canada had never made much of a show in the Karate world. The big competitors were all from Japan, South Africa, Autralia, Germany and Italy. For a Canadian to have made it this far was unheard of.
Don Sharp made it to the last round of the fight indeed. His opponent was a fellow by the name of Kokobun. Kokobun would later go on to win other world cups as well. The fight was close. Kokobun Sensei was leading 3-2 points in a match that would need 6 for a win. This is where Kokobun would make a mistake. He took an intentional shot at Don's mouth, driving 3 of Sharps teeth through his lower lip. Don would require stitches. The Canadian team along with Sensei Sakurai all hovered over him as Don leaked blood out onto the Tatami. In the shadows, away from Don's site, the Doctors and officials were having a conversation. One by one they would walk over to Don and ask him what he wanted to do. They told him he didn't look good but each official got the same answer from Don. "I can fight, just gimme a sec." Had he waivered, acquiesced in any way, Kokobun would have recieved a penalty but still been givent he fight. The mere fact the Don stood up again after that hit made him the winner. Kokobun was disqualified. A bitter sweet victory for Don, but victory none the less.
Team Canada and the Canadian spectators rightfully went bonkers. Canadian flags were seen running through the streets of Tokyo. Don was hoisted up onto shoulders and Paraded around the arena. I daresay that Tokyo was aflood with red and white pride and emotion that day.
The Canadian contingent would return to the hotel to begin the celebration. Don Sharp would need stitches before he could join. Alone in the change room with Sensei Sakurai, outside the streets were going nuts, the change room was completely silent. They would move outside the arena to wait for a cab to go to the hospital. Don sat on the curb, exhausted his emotions caught up with him. Tears and blood streaming down his face, he could hear no noises from the street. Sensei Sakurai just put his hand on his shoulder and marshalled him to the hospital.
11 years later Sensei Don Sharp has won 4 Canadian Championships, competed in the WKF Panam games taking the silver in Karate and made top 16 in world cup Kumite. In 2009 he hopes to compete again at the Shotokan World Cup. He feels he's the strongest Karate-ka he has ever been. I don't have handy any of the pictures from '96. Instead all you get are some pictures from Sensei Sharps Visit to our Dojo last night.
Sharp Sensei describes Sakurai Sensei as one of the largest and most influential role models of his life. I spent time with these 2 while Don was in town. I can say that I have seen the Rabbit whole, but I wouldn't speculate on how deep it goes. Sensei Sakurai doesn't express much emotion, and I am not so wise as to guess the words he would use. But he did use one word, once when describing Don to a world cup official.
"Brothers"
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