Südwest Presse Online
HALLER KARATEL COURSE IS WELL ATTENDED
Silvano Wagner demonstrates the kicking technique. Julian Schukraft and Daniel Stechmann (both TSG Hall) imitate it. Photo: Ufuk Arslan
Schwäbisch Hall / Viktor Taschner 17.07.2018
80 fighters come to the Schenkenseehalle for the training course of the karate department of the TSG Schwäbisch Hall.
"Ichi - ni - san," echoes a firm voice through the Schenkenseehalle. The Japanese numbers from one to three serve as commands. Fiore Tartaglia , as "master," demonstrates the movements and counts loudly. The 50 karateka with blue, brown, and black belts standing five meters behind him attempt to execute the movements with the same precision. Tartaglia leads the so-called kata, the imaginary fight, the sequence of which is precisely defined. The man with Italian roots repeatedly interrupts the exercise to point out small errors. Sometimes the shoulder needs to be turned in further during a strike, sometimes the foot position is not quite correct. Meticulously and with concentration, the "students" hone their movement sequence to make it as perfect as possible. Those who join later or return after a short break first bow slightly—in keeping with Japanese custom—toward the master.
Before the TSG Schwäbisch Hall karate department's seminar, Tartaglia appears very relaxed. Generally speaking, the atmosphere among the karate fighters on this Saturday afternoon is informal and relaxed. Many greet each other with a slight bow, followed by a warm handshake or a hug.
The atmosphere among the karate fighters wasn't always so familiar. "Thirty or 40 years ago, a visiting black belt would be tested first. They wanted to see if they could fight. Sometimes they'd get bloody noses," recalls Tartaglia, who runs a karate dojo in Göppingen. But the atmosphere is different now. "It's much more friendly now. It's a collaboration, not a competition," says Tartaglia, who accepted the invitation from TSG Hall for the tenth time this year.
In the other half of the hall, kumite, a duel between two karateka, takes place. First, the lower ranks (yellow, orange, and green belts) compete, with around 30 fighters. After a break, this group moves to the kate, and the higher ranks move on to kumite. Silvano Wagner, multiple German champion, German Open winner, and European Vice Champion, oversees the duels as the course director. The 46-year-old from Löwenstein joined the karate department of TSG Hall at the age of 14. "When I was 19 or 20, I moved to the base in Ludwigsburg and later was on the national team," explains the successful karateka. He has always maintained contact with his old club, however.
