There are a number of clubs at N.C. State, but few offer the combative nature of face-to-face confrontation. The Aikido, fencing, Judo and martial arts clubs each present a unique opportunity for people affiliated with State to compete one-on-one against others. The possibility of injury is very real, and steps must be taken to ensure the safety of those involved. The participant must not only worry about his own welfare but the well-being of his opponent — none of the clubs promote physical harm, but rather respect and restraint. For some, being a part of these clubs is a way to achieve a better physical health, but they all teach characteristics that far exceed the physical benefits of participating.

Aikido

Unlike other forms of martial arts, Aikido is fairly new in its existence, first starting in the 19th century. Aikido doesn’t typically use kicks or punches, instead focusing on holds and joint locks with the intent to throw off-balance an attacker or in some cases multiple attackers.

Many use Aikido to learn self-defense techniques while others find it to be a way to stay in shape. Whatever the reason, the nearly 30 members of the club have found Aikido to be beneficial, according to club President Alan Rogers.

“I don’t know anybody who practices because they never expect to be in a fight, but it is a great martial art for self defense,” Rogers said.

There are two components in Aikido — the attacker and the Aikido student. Only the students are actually using Aikido. Since the art is based on defense, the attacker is using whatever method he can to harm the student.

“It works on multiple attackers because you use the immediate energy of the attacker and deal with him quickly so you can deal with other people,” said Rogers, a senior in electrical engineering.

Aikido does not involve competition in the sense of winners and losers, first and last place and so on. However, it does involve a ranking of classes by “kyu” where one can move up, much like the different colored belts in karate.

“We have seminars where different [groups] will get together… they’ll practice all weekend,” Rogers said. “That sort of takes the place of tournaments since we don’t have any competition.”

Aikido concentrates on using energy to defend and disrupt an opponent’s attack, teaching its students more than just techniques.

“You learn a lot about your body and how the body works and what can and can’t be done,” Rogers said. “It disciplines your mind through learning how to control your own body and how to deal with people and use their energy.”

The club meets Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. and Thursdays 8-9 p.m. on Court 11 in Carmichael Gymnasium.

Fencing

The State Fencing Club allows any modern-day musketeers to have their try at a classical art that involves the use of swords to defeat their opposition. But since one’s dueling opponent is also armed with a similar weapon, quick reflexes and nifty sword play are key to being successful in competition.

“It gives students an opportunity to practice the sport of fencing and teach them,” club Treasurer Robert Riley said. “When we have our practice drills and everything we were working on our footwork, the different advances that you need… and after that, you start the basic sword work.”

Competitors can choose their weapon already provided by the club as they decide which approach they want to take. The foil, epee and sabre are types of swords — each capable of different things.

“The foil is the basic instructory sword… its [handguard] protects you from getting jabbed. The epee and sabre have more of an area you can attack,” Riley, a sophomore in chemistry, said. “Because the sabre has an edge, you can draw blood. We try not to hurt each other, but it hurts if you get jabbed hard enough.”

Besides teaching its students how to handle a sword, fencing builds coordination and flexibility and provides another pathway to stay in good physical condition.

“There are tournaments that we compete in,” Riley said. “We do compete against other school’s teams and then other [recreation teams] in Raleigh and Greensboro and all those places who have their own teams.”

Fencing may be a sport considering face-to-face conflict, but at the same time it promotes honor, discipline and sportsmanship.

“On average, about 20 people at least look at it. I’d say probably about 10 people a year come pretty regularly who are new,” Riley said. “We’re growing.”

Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Carmichael Gym in the fencing room (Room CG 1211).

Martial Arts

If practicing only one martial art doesn’t help people sustain their mojo, they should step foot into the “Wolfpack Dojo” where State’s very own martial arts club makes its home. Once in Carmichael Gym, members of the club are exposed to the teachings of many different arts including karate, Judo, Aikido, Vovinam, boxing, Wing Chun and Tai Chi.

The varied selection of skills that each martial art presents allows for its participants to experience many self-defense and attack techniques which could come in handy in a dangerous real-life scenario.

“Our club is primarily for self-defense,” club treasurer Mhamad El-Kara said. “It also helps you to meet new people and gain leadership skills.”

Through the competitive interaction amongst the club’s members, the camaraderie and socials bonds formed help to attribute to its growing membership numbers each year.

“There are 33 members now, and we get about 50 newcomers a year,” El-Kara, a sophomore in biomedical engineering, said.

The club, founded at State in 1996, is based on the legendary teachings of Cuong Nhu and concentrates on his many principles. Among these are respect and discipline, which are to be used to defend and to help protect truth and reason.

The club welcomes all who would like to join and provides both beginner and advanced classes. “Everyone is welcome,” El-Kara said. “No previous experience is required.”

All members participate from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday on Court 11 in Carmichael Gymnasium. On Fridays, the beginners practice is from 6:30 to 8 p.m., while advanced students go from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.

Judo

One organization that may appeal to those who are interested in learning a more specialized competitive martial art is the Judo Club. Kodokan Judo is the specific style that the club practices, and it is both a martial art and a sport. Unlike other combative club sports, Judo offers the opportunity for its members to take part in competitions throughout the year.

Kodokan Judo evolved from the self defense techniques of ju-jitsu. Judo removes the more dangerous moves from jujitsu so there can be unrestrained full-contact practice and competition. “The club is primarily instructional,” club adviser David Drooz said. “The goal is to introduce people to Kodokan Judo and help advance their skills.”

Although the club only meets two days a week, a member’s commitment level must still be high because of the sport’s grueling nature.

“Judo can be physically demanding,” Drooz said. “It helps to be in good condition or at least committed to training hard so one can develop good conditioning.”

Although the club may be more difficult for someone in lesser shape, experience does not factor into the eligibility requirements. The club welcomes those who have had extensive experience to those who have never thrown a chop.

“There is usually someone relatively new to Judo at each practice, so the club is used to teaching Judo to a beginner,” Drooz said.

The club meets Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. on Court 10 in Carmichael Gymnasium and runs throughout the academic year.