Tomorow, october 27th, 2011 at 13.00 in Nynäshamn, Sweden.
JKD stockholm, together with our friends from Norway and Nynäshamn, will pay our respects and say our last goodbyes to our friend Stefan Nikander.
We bring messages and thoughts from the Wong Family and the Joe Family and from JKD friends from the USA, Canada, Polen, England and Spain.
Mikael was contacted by Simon Kölle who wanted to write an article about Stefan. Micke also talked to Krina who sent him a text to add to the article, here is a short english version.
When I decided to write about Stefan Nikander´s sudden passing in October, I received a lot of emails and phone calls. Everybody wanted to share their feelings about him and it was clear to me that he had impacted a lot of people. One of Stefan´s friends and JKD instructor Mikael Egidéus was willing to give me informations even during these difficult times; I thank Mikael for his disponibility.
Mikael says:
“Men with great passion are not that common nowadays, Stefan was a man with great passion for training, especially JKD, he was a really appreciated Karate instructor for children as well, he had groups in Bredäng and Nynäshamn.”
Stefan was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003, got treatment and lost his physical condition but when he got better, he trained himself back into a high level shape. His recovery fascinated a lot of people and me not the least. I flirted a bit with JKD in the 90´s and this is when I heard about Stefan and his schools in bredäng and Nynäshamn.
Mikael continues about Stefan:
“ I never met someone who really lives for something, the first time I met him was in the 90´s, I thought I would never get home that day after the training session, he could talk hours about every single detail of the training. The library in his basement is full of all kinds of martial arts books, a couple thousands at least and none of them is not read, they are more “over read”, torn and full of notes, there was nothing Stefan did not know about martial arts. Stefan also made his own training equipment just like Bruce Lee did. The physical training was as important as the books, being a martial artist and not in shape was not an option, the weight lifting was extreme, I remember our Power factor and Static Contraction Training sessions followed by three hours sparring, it felt in any fiber of the body the day after !
This is how I will remember Stefan, training with passion, creativity and laughter, broken ribs, swollen hands, bloody noses, sweaty training rooms, talks about JKD at his place, training at Ted ´s place in L.A, hours long phone calls about training, all this was Stefan…
I will always have in my mind the time when on stage, during an exhibition in Uppsala in 2003, his balance was not right, something was wrong and it was the first meeting with the tumor which became Stefan biggest fight.
RIP Stefan, my old friend… “
One Of Bruce Lee´s students Ted Wong perpetuated Bruce´s legacy to the best until he passed away also quite recently. JKD Sweden evolved a lot thanks to Ted Wong and Stefan. Ted Wong was one of only two people who obtained the highest rank in JKD; Ted was Bruce Lee´s private training partner. A lot of the modifications that Bruce discovered for his martial art were made possible thanks to his close relation with Ted Wong.
Here is what the Ted Wong Family says about Stefan´s passing:
“Stefan had a high moral standard in life and in martial art Jeet Kune Do. He’s honest, humble, and charismatic.
Stefan had studied under Ted Wong for a long time. He’s been certified by Ted Wong in teaching Jeet Kune Do in Sweden. He was one of the few Ted Wong students who takes royalty and commitment in Jeet kune Do very seriously. Ted invited Stefan be one of his student instructors to the Florida Summit in unveiling the TED WONG JEET KUNE DO ceremony.
Most of all, Stefan was a loving family man. We will miss him dearly. May he rest in Peace.
From the TWJKD Family”
Stefan organized a JKD seminar with Ted Wong on May 25th, 1996 in Bredäng, this is an historical date because it was the first time Ted visited Scandinavia, Stefan continued organizing seminars with Ted Wong in Sweden and the last one was in 2009 in Nynäshamn. His great passion also took him all the way to the USA to train and participate in seminars with Ted Wong and other Bruce Lee students.
Stefan even taught during seminars that he organized in Sweden and other countries for many years.
The JKD that Stefan trained was according to Ted Wong´s teachings, what is called today TWJKD. Stefan was also a certified instructor under Ted Wong in Scandinavia.
Jeet Kune Do Stockholm is the Swedish school who trains and teaches JKD as taught by Ted Wong today; it is run by instructor Mikael Egidéus and Gina ( Mikael´s private student since 2005).
I could write a lot about Stefan. He was loved from a lot of people and inspired even more. Stefan will be buried on Thursday. He will be missed from his family, students and even from people who never even met him.
For more information about JKD and training in Stockholm, contact Mikael Egidéus: mikaeljkd@live.com
I talked earlier about the positive effects on my life which came from training JKD. Since before the summer, my training has been affected, first the injury, then the holidays, then several sicknesses, all this combined with a lot of anger. I feel totally unbalansed right now, to the point that I get myself into unnecessary situations like conflicts with different people, at work, at home with neighbours … It seems a lot of people have problems they need to take out on me these days and I can´t stand being attacked in any way, never have but I react stronger than I should.
That kind of negativity just brings more negativity, It feels like everything is just falling appart right now and I need to get a grip on this real quick.
It happenned too many things this summer in my opinion, now the winter is coming, the famous dark swedish winter, I need to get out of the darkness before the darkness hits me ! ( footwork ! 🙂 )
Micke and I talked about the situation today, he has no agression but he is also very tired. We hope it will get better or easier after Stefan´s burial and that somehow we can go back to our normal training routines and find the lost energy again.
Training is my link to a more balanced attitude and life, and the positive aspect here is that I feel something is wrong and I am going to do something about it.
Will Joined us earlier this year, I see him as a talented and decicated person who takes JKD very seriously and is willing to learn everything he can. We are very pleased to have him in our team.
I asked him to write about himself and here is what he wrote.
Thank you Will for your participation in my blog.
I took interested in Jeet Kune Do by chance in a period where I was looking for an art to learn.
I met Stefan in 2004, he was already in battle against this tumor, I remember thinking he was really strong minded, someone who does not give up, ever.
In 2010 it was time for him to take another round against this thing.
I remember we went down to Nynäshamn a couple of times to train with him, each time I told Micke I was so amazed by the energy Stefan had, we could not stop him, he was so full of life.
That made me believe until the end that he would win this, no matter what.
The last time I met Stefan was in August this year, it was difficult but also inspiring because of the light of hope he was spreading, I remember him telling us:
“I am back”!
I thought if someone is determined enough to beat this thing, it is Stefan! I told him we knew he would make it and we were all waiting for him.
There is no way I was prepared for Micke´s phone call yesterday morning.
Micke took care of informing us and some close friends in The US, Spain, Norway, Polen and Canada. After a while it came out officially on FB as well.
I am writing this now, out of respect for Stefan.
We are deeply hurt by his passing, first Ted then Stefan; it was certainly not their time to go, but I like to believe that Stefan has now met his hero up there and that together with Ted, the three of them are united and at peace, they certainly have a lot to talk about.
It is up to us to go on now. I can for sure say that all of us who have been training JKD in Sweden and in Scandinavia, will go on in memory of a great Man.
Stefan did not lose his battle! Stefan was called up there by Bruce and Ted because they felt it was time. This is anyway what I want to believe.
REST IN PEACE Stefan, you and your accomplishments will never be forgotten.
Mikael (as well known for it) has started a good topic on FB. It is interesting to see how people think and I thought it would be a good opportunity for a blog post today.
So the question was that sometimes it is too much footwork. What did he mean by that?
Footwork is to be used to any technique, retreat and so on, no JKD without footwork, we all know that, but I think you need to know how to punch or kick because footwork won´t help you do that. I think good technique will be made effective by footwork, but that was not the question.
Now how can there be too much footwork ? I think Micke talks about people dancing around, using energy in footwork that is not needed and not in place with any technique. I saw fights where the two guys are standing 3 meters from each other, doing some good footwork but not hitting at all, what is that good for? It is losing energy for nothing if you ask me. In close fighting you have to use the correct footwork to hit, using too much footwork in this case can cost you because some situations will not allow too many moves, that is why you have to use the correct defense or attack wisely together with most appropiate footwork to get you out of there.
I was quite surprised by some comments like : footwork beats anyone or any kicks or any punch … what ? How does footwork beat anything? Footwork together with a punch or a kick will beat something allright, and those punches and kicks have to be good ones with power, but alone what does it do either than avoiding, retreat or closing a gap ? still you have to be able to throw a good punch or kick.
I would not isolate one part of a martial art and say this is what will make you win. Ok some people have better footwork than others, so are they better fighters ?
Well then we get to the interesting stuff, I would say yes if they also have the rest but as I hear it, some people think footwork is only what it takes , I disagree. Concentrating on footwork only will make you quick , light on your feet, hard to hit… yes, but how good do you hit and kick ? JKD is a fighting art, so we are not talking about looking good on your feet and on pads, we are talking about fighting, if we are just dancing around avoiding and retreating this is good footwork of course because you won´t get hit, but this is not a fight, and is this JKD ? I don´t think so.
I train footwork everyday by itself, in shadow boxing and anytime I train punches and kicks or any technique. I train on speed, power and technique and make it all be one. Sparring is where I can apply it all. This is where I get a picture on what I do right or wrong, what I need to work more on. I am not the best fighter far from it, but I don´t think any part of JKD should be isolated, any good fighter trains daily on few techniques together with footwork, this is my point of view and why do I think that way? because I get my ass kicked in sparring anytime something is missing 🙂
I had a footwork session yesterday, I practised shadow boxing and did some exercises on the heavy bag also, I used power for a while ut not long as it was not the point of the session.
I tried to flow around the bag focusing on using the proper footwork at all times.
Then I decided I would bring the video camera and tape my feet while practising footwork, just to see how that looks like. This is very good because after that, I was able to study it. I also wanted to know what Micke would think about it and I showed it to him later on.
He was not really exited when he saw I used split step a couple of times 🙂 but he said it looked better, more flow and more speed.
I tried to vary the exercise to cover almost everything and to see how that looked like. I was quite happy with it, I could actually feel that my flow and speed are better, of course I need more work… but who doesn´t ?!
Then I did some pushups situps and stretching , I attached a rope at the top of the bag and pulled my foot up , I was looking at it in the mirror and told myself : if only I could hold that position without the rope !!!!
But I believe that with practise it will happen, there is a quote that I like :
“If you think a thing is impossible, you’ll make it impossible.” Bruce Lee.
So let´s go back to work !
What a birthday! talk about surprises… Mikael gave me a big box and he took the camera, I thought it was strange but I was so curious I did not think more about that. When I started to unwrap it, I first saw the colours black and yellow, I immediately thought about Bruce Lee but did not think it would be it. Then I saw “Enterbay” on the box and I thought well it cannot be the figure… Then I read the text carefully and it said “Game Of death Collectable figure”! This is when I did realize it was it !
I had dreamt about this for a long time but could not afford it. I was so surprised and chocked, I was actually shaking when I openned it, until I came to hold the actual figure in my hands I still could not believe it.
Talk about finding the perfect gift , this is amazing I was so touched and still am. I love it so much, Mikael may have started a collecting behaviour…. 🙂
Seriously, I am very touched by that gift and this day will forever stay in my heart….
The last couple of months are definetely so amazing I can´t believe it.
If there is something I really hate is people stealing , stuff or ideas, same thing. I spend hours creating something and someone just stole it , and used it as their own .
Some people may answer like that: “that is what FB is all about” my answer to that : BS !
Sharing is what it is all about, stealing designs for seminar flyers and make it as their own is not sharing, it is stealing, being too lazy to do it themselves , seeking credit for something that they did not do and I hate that.
Now I´ve said it. That is what my blog is all about, sharing my feelings and experiences, nice or not and when something bothers me I say it too.
Yesterday´s session was with Will and David.
We worked on techniques and applications mostly.
Punches and kicks on mitts and feeding. Feeding is good training for the awareness, adaptation and speed in reaction.
Reaction in attacks: one is initiating an attack the other one has to hit first. This is definetely a really good one, it shows how speed is a crutial element in the art of JKD, if you are not able to recognise the signs and adapt first you ´re dead!
Surprise attacks from behind: when grapped from behind, try to get out. Difficult one but not impossible , depending on the situtaion first of all be aware of the surroundings not to end up with a creep grabbing you from behind and when it is not evitable there are things you can do to get out of there, like groin hitting or grabbing or anything you can grabb or hit, in that situation everything is allowed.
Fights on the floor : use whatever you can to get up again. This is the tricky one for me. All 90+ kgs of Micke sitting on me, this is almost impossible for me to get out. I tried this self defense thing that we learn in self defense class: put your legs around the attacker´s waist and press all you can, this should make it difficult for him to breathe. Well do that on girls during class yes sure ! but do that on a big guy, yeah right ! does not work, he was laughing at me asking “what the hell are you trying to do” ???
I like to work on those things, we kept it simple working on only few techniques and focus on the application side.
I could use my arm to a certain point, I did not use the full power anyway , I think it is good that I could punch , I still cannot hold the pads and I still take it easy on sparring.
This is taking a pretty long training time away from me …
Bruce Lee´s Jeet Kune DO 