FOR THE SERIOUS MARTIAL ARTIST:

Please read the Ancient and modern history of the above Art that Follows:

The Ancient Greek writers that you will read here were great Philosophers that the present modern world of professors at all Universities uses them as an example. You, the reader, may take a chance to learn something from them, as I did.

Some historical and important news for the world of Martial Arts

Pafsanias (in Greek Παυσανίας): Writes that Hercules was the Founder of the Pagratio, but Plutarch (in Greek Πλούταρχος) wants, that: Thiseas (The Ancient Greek hero) to be the Founder of Pagratio.

After Wrestling and Boxing had some irregularities when they were fighting in the Ancient Olympics, the Judges (in Greek) `Ελλανοδίκες` after long thought they decided to combine the two Arts in one, they inverted the Pan - Κratos which mean in the Ancient Greek: `With all Powers` using the whole body as a weapon. There were almost no rules, but very strict to those existed those days. The Referee � Kritis was around the fighters holding a long stick (Like a long fork) and when one of the contestants committed a forbidden act, then, would strike him on the shoulder and the Judges took note and acted accordingly. (Picture available) The forbidden techniques were: Striking the eyes with the fingers � Biting - Striking to the groin - Pulling hair - Putting fingers inside the mouth, Pinching, Breaking opponent�s fingers.

�        The techniques where were allowed and are not in the present Karate was:  Using the elbows and knees to attack all parts of the body, but saving the forbidden parts.

�        Striking the knees and shins with their legs!

�        Full power punches and kicks to all parts of the body (minus the groin, although in Sparta were allowed).

�        Chocking and arm lock to the neck until submission or death.                             

�        Squeeze fingers until submission (not breaking them). 

�        As the fighting was carried on to the ground as well, the fighters then, used more chocks and locks and striking with arms and legs to the those parts permitted with intention to submit, maim, cripple or kill the opponent.                                                            

�        To signal his capitulation, one had to lift his index finger thus to avoid death (Depicted picture available).                                                                                                     

As defeat and death was synonymous for the magnificent Pagratio fighters (in Greek `Παγκρατιαστές),` this gesture was rare seeing and as we have an example written (of the many) to show the world of Martial Arts that we were there first: Arrachion (in Greek, Αρραχίον) or Αρριχίον) (an Olympic winner for the years 572 and 568 b. C.).  In the year 564 b. C. he was in the final and in a bad situation when his opponent had him on the ground with his knee on his abdomen, his left arm chocking him and with the other was punching Arrachion on his face with intention to kill him. Arrachion could not breath and decided to lift his index finger to avoid death, but his Gymnast/Coach call Eryxias - Ερyξίας watched this move and shouted at Arrachion his famous words: `Arrachion, better die at the Olympia with honor and leave with disgrace`. The twice Olympic Champion hard his Coach, but when he contracted his arm, he grabbed his opponent�s ankle, pulled it and twisted at the same time, breaking it. After this effort Arrachion died, but the Judges decided to declare him as a winner because his opponent couldn�t carry on with a broken ankle. Thus, Arrachion went down in history as 3 times Olympic Champion. By the way, in the Ancient Olympia there were only one winner, no second no third, and the winner was the happiest person on earth when he was awarded the `Kotinos`(Wreath of olive tree) and had a Hero�s welcome from his home town�

The Olympics started in 776 b. C. and since then carried on for every 4 years (most of them have been recorded). Pagratio officially started, as a trial, in 652 b. C. and as from 648 b. C. became an Olympic sport. Since then they have been recorded 28 winners. Some of them were winners more than once (The winners names are available).

Note: In the near future the above Master will write a book in great detail about the Ancient Pagratio, the facts about the Japanese and the Chinese Arts, the Semi/light conduct, the Full conduct /Kick Boxing etc. (With a DVD as well).        

Pafsanias in his book `Strolls` (page 61, paragraph 7&8), writes:

In the 33^rd Olympiad Pagratio for men was introduced. The winner after beating all other competitors was Ligdamis (Λιγδάμις) from Syracuse. In the paragraph 11 of the page 63 he writes: In the 145^th Olympiad Junior Pagratio was introduced and the winner was Faidimos (Φαίδιμος) from Troada.

In the 77^th Olympiad the Pagratio fighters were on their own all day (no other events for the day) as some times the fight took long to finish. The winner that year was Athineos Kalias. There has been recorded a fight that lasted over 4 hours and the one ended up dead with his intestines out on the ground (that cruel).

In the page 137, paragraph 9, he writes: In the 178 0lympiad winner was Stratonas (Στράτονας) from Alexandria the City that was named by ALEXANDER the Great when he conquer Ancient Egypt and its near the mouth of the river Nile. In the paragr.10 he takes us back and forward by telling us that before the above winner of Pagratio (Stratonas) there were other men that took the `Kotinos` (the olive wreath) for the Pagratio and Wrestling. These were Capros (Κάπρος) from Iliad (Ήλιάδα), Aristomenis (Αριστομένης) from Rodos (Corfu), and Marionas, Aristeas and Nicostratos, had won for Pagratio and Wrestling after Stratonas.

Page 203, paragraph 4. Poulidamas (Πουλιδάμας), apart of winning the Pagratio, he also made history by killing a Lion with his bare hands in the Mount Olympus area. He also broke the leg of a Bull when he tried to capture it bare handed. In Sussa (A city of Persia now Iran) he was invited by the new King call Sogdios (the King has hard for his achievements) and persuaded Poulidamas to see him. The Olympic champions teased 3 of the Kings personal soldiers called `Immortals` and force them to fight him in a combat of no rules, ending up by killing the three of them. These story and all the others above and below are not a myth but actual facts that happened, recorded in writing and saved until today.

<Another name of the many that has a similarity to the present Karate to that extent that one has to see and read it, how Kata (Formal exercise in Karate) has its roots in the Ancient Greek Pagratio.

This is the statue of the Pagratio winner call Glafkos (Γλαύκος) depicts him of doing exercise without opponent. This kind of exercise the Ancient Gymnasts called `Skiamachia`- Shadow Fighting (Picture is available).

The shadow boxing derives from the`Skiamachia, so does the Punching bug in modern boxing. The ancient boxers and the Pagratio fighters had it call: `Korikos` (Κόρικος) made of the skin of a cow and fill it up with corn and sand. The Boxers punched `Koriko`with their fists (Covered the wrists with a leather stripes) and the Pagratio fighters with fists, elbows, knees, and legs. Very often they use to strike the Koriko with their forehead as well>.

      

Note: For some, that are giving wrong information to the world of Martial Arts about the Pagratio and they think that they are reviving the Ancient Art as it was and they call themselves Proponites (Gymnasts) of the Ancient Greek Pagratio and are over 2500 years old, better get in touch with the above Master who is willing to teach them his Kata (Skiamachia) and his way of fighting (Kumite) without disturbing their own philosophy of approaching the Art, so they can participate in all Karate Tournaments in their country and all Internationals of WKF (Kumite). The above Art has 24 Katas and up to today the 13 of August 2006, we have won over 700 gold medals in Kata (Skiamachia) and Kumite (Free Fight). Our federation call: `International Federation Revival Roots and Philosophy of Ancient Pagratio 648 B.C. (IFRRPAP in Greek ΔΟΑΡΦΑΠ). Still to come, the financial support of the Secretary of Sport and the Ministry of Sport and Recreation of Greece, to spread our Art to the 5 Continents and demonstrate our Katas to the WKF where Grand Master GEORGE KARAVIDAS had sent to the then President Mr. Delcourt a video cassette and had his personal blessings and encouraged Master G.K. to affiliate all his clubs world-wide to WUKO, now WKF. Meantime rival Martial Artists from USA, India, Italy, Nepal, Sri-Lanka are making inquiries and some already had seminars with Master G.K. to learn first and then, how to teach the SKTP in their respective Countries.

 

The 20^th/21^st Century modern Art of SHOTOKOUNTHIGH (SKTP) as it is now. (Roots and Philosophy of Ancient Pagratio 648 b. C.)                                                                                                          

The scientific SKTP is not made for anyone who wants to pass his time, but only to those that want self respect and respect for others. The SKTP Black Belt `Karate - ka` has to pass difficult (But not impossible) tasks that will mark his life forever (Male or Female-Young or Old). The Art is not for showing off (When one can do almost impossible fits), never looks for a fight, never swears, respects his parents and the older, never beats his younger brother, never touches drugs, he lives by law, he never fears or underestimates his opponent in and out of the fighting arena. As long as he is following the path that has been drawn and taught by Grand Master George Karavidas will soon realize the importance of learning the above Art; not only will get the benefit of staying alive when needed and win tournaments in competition, but will get the pleasure out of it by always trying to improve himself in all situations of life. The Philosophy of all happenings that are so attracted by all (Young-Old-Male-Female), lying in the following syllabuses created by the above Grand Master where he brought up to surface the Roots and Philosophy of the Ancient Gymnasts, and the Elite Pagratiates, with his own Philosophy, to suit the modern world of Martial Arts and specially to Karate, without copy NO ONE.

 The PHILOSOPHY of the 14 SYLLABUSES of my ART

 

             S                 SHARPNESS

      H                       HARDNESS

  O                           OBJECTIVENESS (OBJECTIVITY)

 T                             TOUGHNESS

   O                           OFFENSIVENESS

           K                   KNOWLEDGE

                  O            OCELOT

                       U        UNEXPECTED

                          N     NIMBLE

                                T     THOUGHTFUL

                            H         HARMONIC

                      I                 INCOMPARABLE

            G                         GENUINE

H                               HIGH SPIRITED

 

`Via SHARPNESS and HARDNESS comes the development of OFFENSIVENESS, but only through TOUGHNESS directs your KNOWLEDGE who lights up the OBJECTIVITY of an attack. Then UNEXPECTED by being OFFENSIVE with OCELOTS � NIMBLE movements, makes you INCOMPARABLE because you are GENUINE through HARMONY and HIGH - SPIRITED`                                                         

 

My PHILOSOPHY of EFFECTIVE FIGHTING  (With or Without Rules)

 

DIRECT MOVE (in attack, defense and retaliation)

ECONOMY OF SPEED (zero inactivity, zero�time to target)

PERFECT BALANCE when: Striking opponent, block opponents attack, missing target in attack or retaliation, blocked by opponent).

KNOWLEDGE (In ability to react and perform effectively when needed)

PERFECT, Co-Operation between mind/body & body/mind.

 

Analyzing the above in some detail, the reader will soon realize what makes SKTP Unique and Genuine worth of devoting one�s life and pass it on to their children.

The SKTP writes a long time student from the Island of Samos (Now a Monk in the Holly Mountain of `Athos` devoting his life to God):

`It is the road to find the unknown. It is a continuation of our inner adventure, a non-stop fight with the most difficult adversary and with the only Judge, the deeper one self. The SKTP is a non-stop investigation-way to perfection, without end; only the road ahead with the willpower that drives you to the limits, with unbridled courage hoping to reach the highest. It is worth to the contemporary human to dare this adventurous, fascinating trip: The road to SHOTOKOUNTHIGH INTERNATIONAL (Roots & Philosophy of Ancient Pagratio 648 b. C.) to feel the unlimited excitements and deep satisfaction of one�s soul, that is when he discovers that all his expectations are before him, as long as he is following the path`

 

THE SHOTOKOUNTHIGH DEMANDS

 

The above Art of fighting demands from the practitioner who has the courage and the ability to carry on the above Art, because gives him unlimited Knowledge. Yes the SKTP defers from other Styles, but at the same time is geared by its Creator to compete with all Karate Styles or Systems. Demands (apart of the practitioner) from the Parents, and from the Present and future Instructors, to understand that the Art not only educates but cultivates the body, thus, the Ancient and the Present well known Athletes of all sports had it as a motto in their lives which is `Healthy Mind in Healthy Body`     

To reach the desire of `Healthy Mind in Healthy Body` it is not that easy, thus, the practitioner has to go through - 3 Bio - Psychological stages: 

 

1) THE STAGE OF NATURAL DEVELOPMENT 

                        

Improvement of biological strength

Cultivation of kinesiology

Spiritual and soul balance

 

2) THE STAGE OF BROUGHT UP

 

Social - Moral attitude - Standard of values

                                     

3) THE STAGE OF DISCIPLINE

                             

Self control - Confidence - Tranquility- Self respect - Meditation

                                      

�Where ever you are, one day you may become a colorful National or International Champion and false fully you think you are somebody, but with a good character and very high discipline you KNOW that you are Somebody�

 

 

Grand Master George Karavidas