The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 10, 1977, Page Page 14, Image 14
Vitali, karate cli
for Battle of AH
By VINCK MOORE
Asst. Sports Editor " ..
The USC karate club practices at Hie P.E. Center in
a room appropriately titled the Combative Room.
This is where the karate members, their hands and
feet padded, spar with each other and work on their
technique. Although the fighters are pulling their
punches, every so often a kick or punch connects with
a resounding thump. In the middle of the action is a
fellow named Keith Vitali, who has been with the club
since its infancy and is now a second degree black
belt. And Vitali, the head club instructor, is a good
example of the success the karate club is enjoying
these days.
ACCORDING TO several karate magazines, Vitali
is ranked in the top ten in the nation and for Vitali, a
lightweight, that ranking is inclusive of all the weight
divisions.
"I've never fought the top heavyweights from
California," Vitali said. "And since a lot of the
fighters haven't fought each other, they (the
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ten."
Vitali received another laurel recently. He was
seeded in the Battle of Atlanta which begins Nov. 12,
and of about the 1,000 expected participants, 11 were
seeded.
That means he is assured a place in the final 16 and
won't have to participate in the preliminaries during
the day.
To be seeded in this tournament is the highest
honor you can get," said club member Richard
Jackson, a black belt himself. "All the world
champions right now were picked for that honor five
years ago."
THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA, which Vitali says is
the nation's top karate meet, is a point tournament.
As opposed to full-contact karate, the point system
stresses form and controlled contact.
Although Vitali competes in both, the point tournament
is his forte. He recently won the Battle of
Birmingham where he defeated a 215-pound
heavyweight (Vitali weighs 150) and took home a
seven-foot trophy.
Vitali emphasizes the kicking aspect of karate and
said that is why he can defeat someone who outweighs
him by 05 pounds.
"The key is that I have good kicking techniques,"
Sports briefs
The Physical Education Center has changed its
swimming in USC's natatorium. The new hours for o]
will be 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 to9:00 p.m. daily.
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jb preparing
anta Saturday
lie said. "I'm 5'11", have long legs and ki
head a lot. That scores a lot of points, and 1
you to death."
Vitali has also stressed kicking - to t
members of the club and, as a result, t
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"WE KICK more than anybody," Vite
"When somebody sees our red and white co
think of USC and say to themselves, 'Mar
blocking some kicks today."'
The club is also led by black belts Jack:
Goldman, Tony Bell, John Orck and Winstoi
Both Goldman and Jackson are highly rat
South.
"All of these guys have a good chance of v
placing in their weight divisions," Vitali sai
them have won some tournaments in the p?
Although Jackson competes in as m<
tournaments as full-contact ones, he has <
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full'contact fights, having knocked out thi
opponents.
His primary weapon is the spinning ba
which he makes a 360-degree turn and hit
ponent with the back of his hand. The punch
plenty of momentum, and Vitali says
Richard does that, it's usually over."
BUT IT has its drawbacks, too. "What soi
are saying about me is that the backfist is al
said Jackson, who fignts in the super lij
division. "I just throw it once or twice a ro
happen to be accurate with it. I like to thi
techniques are sound."
They must be. Jackson has won his d
several point tournaments recently where
fist was illegal. And, like the rest of the club
primarily on the kick.
Vitali is confident USC will be kicking i
some trophies in Atlanta this Saturday. In ?
the black belts, Vitali said John Kershaw ;
Morris, both brown belts, should do well. In
20 club members will participate.
Near the end of practice Thursday, two
were sparring when one of them kicked a
hard and the other went crashing to t
Although Vitali would usually tell them to e
simply said, "Good kick."
After all, if the beginners can kick like tl
figures they must be doing something rig
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USC karate fighters Keith Vitali an
Hk all mv during practice at the Sol Blatt P.E.
Atlanta, one of the largest karate tourr
ivision in weekend. Vitali was seeded in the t<
the back
, he relies TH E BOOK O
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iddition to fl . 1
?nd Susan wmfhets and
an,about Presidency of Ha
iTifti'eToo 1945-19
ahseuPatho by Robert J. D
hat, vitali Published at $19" by W.
ht.' USC Campus Bookstore
HH mm
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ly free ($4500 value)
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Bill Boln??u TH E GAMECOCK
id Susan Morris prepare
Center for the Battle of
laments in the South, this
mrnament.
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