Mario Topolšek

Mario Topolšek rođen je u Zagrebu 1942. godine. Svoj put interesovanja za veštinu pokreta započinje još davne 1965. godine, kada u Parizu počinje da vežba japansku borilačku veštinu – karate. Njegov prvi učitelj bio je gospodin Taiji Kase 7. Dan Shotokan škole karatea, koji će kasnije postati dugogodišnji savetnik Karate Saveza Jugoslavije. Svoje prve časove karatea pohađao je u Karate Club de France, jednom od najstarijih karate klubova u Evropi, odakle su ponikli mnogi francuski, evropski i svetski karate šampioni. U tom istom klubu vežbali su poznati karate majstori mr. Nanbu i mr. Valera.

Iako je voleo sport i dugo se njime bavio po prvi put je po njegovim rečima iskusio da kroz karate trening njegovo telo ne može da izvede to što bi on želeo. U tom slučaju nisu pomagali ni mladost, ni snaga, ni brzina, a da nije mogao da razume zbog čega je to tako. U njemu to je pokrenulo impuls iskrene namere i želje da nauči kako da savlada svoje slabosti i nedostatke i da nauči veštinu upotrebe uma i tela kao celine.

Taj put, koji je trajao više od pedeset godina, od samog svog početka počivao je na odbijanju  bilo kakvih kompromisa. Tako se, na primer, njegov radni dan u Parizu sastojao od jutarnjeg treninga posle kojeg je odlazio na posao od 9 do 19 časova. Nakon toga od 20 do 22 časova pohađao je karate treninge u klubu, zatim se vraćao kući, a ako je ostajalo malo snage ponavljao bi ono što je učio na treningu.

Negde početkom sedamdesetih godina njegova ljubav prema veštini i predosećaj odveli su ga na Okinavu, maleno ostrvo u Japanu koje se smatra kolevkom karatea. Povod za daleko putovanje bilo pismo koje je Mario napisao mr. Kaneiu Uečiju sa molbom da postane njegov učenik. Nakon nekoliko meseci, kako sam kaže kada je već bio i zaboravio na to, odgovor na molbu je stigao u obliku srdačnog poziva Majstora Uečija da poseti njegov dođo i postane njegov učenik. Tako na Okinavi Mario Topolšek postaje učenik čuvenog karate majstora Kaneija Uečija 10. dan Ueči rju škole karatea.

Majstor Ueči jedan je od retkih karate majstora u svetu koji je nosilac tri zasebna zvanja 10. dana. Ovaj veliki majstor je najvišu borilačku titulu dobio od svoje matične karate škole ali i od dve velike karate organizacije koje ujedinjuju razne škole karatea – Okinava karate asocijacije i Japanske karate Federacije.

U to vreme vežbalo se dva puta dnevno po šest, sedam sati. Uveče posle treninga, običavalo se da se ide u kafanu na večeru gde su vodili duge razgovore o vežbanju, starim vremenima i veštini. Kako i sam kaže danas se sa radošću seća tih lepih trenutaka treninga i druženja.

Po povratku u Jugoslaviju nastavlja samostalno usavršavanje Ueči rju karate veštine. I pored posla, kao pravi posvećenik, nastavlja sa intenzivnim treninzima svakoga dana. Ubrzo nakon povratka oko njega se okuplja grupa entuzijasta, na čije insistiranje počinje da ih podučava ovoj veštini najpre u sekciji DFVR „Partizan“ – Rakovica, a kasnije u karate klubu „Borac“ – Beograd.

Osniva prvu Ueči rju karate asocijaciju u Evropi, u Beogradu 1972. godine. Nedugo potom prvi Ueči rju seminar u Evropi organizovao je Mario Topolšek u Jugoslaviji 1973. godine. To je ujedno bio i prvi Ueči rju karate seminar koji je vodio učitelj sa Okinave, mr. Šimabukuro, 4 dan Ueči rju karate škole. Na majstora Šimabukura, koji je bio učenik majstora Seika Tojame, uputio ga je mr. Kanei Ueči još prilikom prve posete Soke Šubukan dođou na Okinavi.

Tih ranih sedamdesetih godina, Mario Topolšek posejao je seme ove veštine, koja se ubrzano širila te je nakon nekog vremena Jugoslavija bila treća po stepenu razvoja ove veštine u svetu, odmah nakon Okinave i Amerike.

Inače, Mario Topolšek je bio tek drugi Evropljanin koji je vežbao u Soke Šubukan dođou, svetskom centru Ueči rju karatea, pod vođstvom mr. Kanei Uečija. Pre njega u ovom dojou vežbao je jedino mr. Dejvid L. Skot 2. dan UKA iz Liverpula, Velika Britanija.

Nešto kasnije, u ovom istom dojou, 1975. godine stiče zvanje instruktora (licenca N° 59) i biva promovisan u tehničkog savetnika za Ueči rju karate do u Jugoslaviji (1. januara 1975. godine).

Mr. Kanei Ueči 1978. godine štampa knjigu na japanskom, Uechi Ryu Karate-do Kyokai. U ovoj knjizi su detaljno obrađeni istorija i razvoj veštine tigra, zmaja i ždrala u Kini, Okinavi i Japanu, tehnike i kate ovog stila, vežbe za jačanje ruku, nogu i celog tela, kao i biljna medicina i vitalne tačke tela. Knjiga takođe sadrži i kineski rukopis „Vu bei ži“ – Bubishi, čuveni priručnik samoodbrane, koji je nastao negde u kineskoj provinciji Fudžijan (autor i vreme nastanka nisu poznati). Negde s kraja XIX i početka XX veka, rukopis dolazi na Okinavu a opisane metode koriste mnogi poznati karate majstori, osnivači karate škola na Okinavi. U knjizi se takođe nalazi i registar Okinavljanske ueči karate asocijacije (UKA) sa fotografijama i DAN titulama (crnim pojasevima) instruktora i predstavnika Ueči rju karatea na Okinavi, kao i širom sveta.

Sensei Kanei Ueči bio je dobar čovek ali veoma strog učitelj zahtevao je od svojih učenika da sate i sate treninga posvete osnovnoj poziciji – sančinu. Jednom prilikom posavetovao je Maria rečima kojih se on i danas pridržava: „Samo vežbaj! Što više možeš! Ništa ne pitaj, veruj u veštinu, a jednog dana će ti samo telo dati odgovor na sva tvoja pitanja“. Divan i jednostavan savet. Za istinskog poklonika veštine nema teoretisanja, nema mesta za ego, nema razmišljanja o svojoj „veličini“ i sposobnostima. Uz veru i vežbu, um i telo će istinskom pokloniku pokazati da li je zaista naučio.

Čitav svoj život Mario Topolšek se pridržavao ovog načela koje je naučio na Okinavi i prenosio ga je dalje svojim učenicima.

Njegov predan rad i posvećenost bili su prepoznati te je tako dobitnik brojnih priznanja i sertifikata. Mr. Mariju Topolšeku dodeljeno je od strane Okinava Ueči karate asocijacije priznanje na kojem piše: „Odajemo priznanje uvaženom mr. Mariju Topolšeku za njegovu posvećenost i doprinos širenju Ueči rju karate doa širom Jugoslavije. Povodom proslave 33 godine od smrti učitelja Kanbun Uečia koristimo priliku da izrazimo svoju zahvalnost za ova postignuća“ – Okinava 1981. godine.

Među mnogim drugim izdvaja se i sertifikat koji je dodelila Okinava Ueči karate asocijacija Mariju Topolšeku u znak priznanja za njegovo ovladavanje duhom i umetnošću Ueči rju karate doa, postigavši oba ova cilja predanim učenjem i vežbanjem.

Jedna lepa anegdota oslikava poštovanje koje je Mario Topolšek stekao na Okinavi. Kada je mr. Kanei Ueči već imao zdravstvenih problema i nije više učestvovao aktivno na treninzima, sedeo bi u kimonu a kako su ulazili u dođo učenici bi mu se poklanjali, odajući mu tako poštovanje. Nažalost, Majstor Kanei Ueči tada više nije prepoznavao ljude. Nakon početka jednog treninga, kada su krenuli sa vežbanjem sančin kate, učitelj je naglo podigao glavu i glasno rekao: „Mario san!“, prepoznavši ga po načinu izvođenja ove izvanredne kate. Taj odlazak na Okinavu bio je i poslednji put da su se učitelj i učenik videli.

Mario Topolšek je na poziv drugih učitelja vežbao i u dođoima kod mr. Nakahoda 8 dan, mr. Takamijagija, 7 dan, mr. Šinđoa 6 dan. Pored toga ostvaruje kontakte i sa učiteljima drugih karate škola.

Godine 1997. posećuje Zakimi dođo gde postaje učenik mr. Seika Tojame, koji je bio direktni učenik Master Kanbuna Uečija, osnivača škole u Vakajami, Okinava.

Mario Topolšek nekoliko puta vodi svoje učenike na Okinavu u cilju usavršavanja, kao i na takmičenja. Kao gost, na poziv Okinava Karate Asocijacije, učestvuje na Prvom svetskom Okinava karate i kobudo prvenstvu organizovanom 1997. godine. Poslednji put kao učitelj ove veštine vodi ekipu iz Srbije, Češke Republike i Slovačke na Drugo svetsko Okinava karate i kobudo prvenstvo 2003. godine.

Pored vežbanja i podučavanja Mario Topolšek je napisao i brojne knjige na temu borilačkih veština i poboljšanja kvaliteta života.

Negde oko 2007. godine mr. Topolšek završava sa praktikovanjem Ueči rju karatea, došavši do 8 dana.  Odajući zahvalnost ovoj veštini, rekao je: „Ja Ueči rju uvek nosim u srcu. Moj poštovani učitelj Kanei Ueči umro je 1991. godine, a ja mu iz sveg srca zahvaljujem na njegovim savetima, strpljenju i znanju koje mi je dao kako bi mi pomogao na mom putu učenja veštine. Nakon smrti mog učitelja, kako to već biva, nekada velika i silna, poštovana karate asocijacija rasparčala se na male klubove, a sa time izgubila i svoj sjaj, a ja sam nastavio svoje putovanje dalje“.

Mario Topolšek was born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1942. He first became interested in the art of movement in 1965, when he started practicing the Japanese martial art karate, in Paris, France. His first teacher was Master Taiji Kase, 7^th dan Shotokan, who later became the advisor of the Karate Federation of Yugoslavia. Mario had his first karate lessons at the Karate Club de France, one of the oldest karate clubs in Europe, the birthplace of many French, European, and world karate champions. The club counted amongst its members Masters Nanbu and Master Valera.

Although Mario had loved and practiced sports all his life, in his words, the first time he felt that his body could not do what he wanted to was during karate practice. Neither his youth, nor his speed, nor strength could help him, and he wanted to know why. The question ignited in him the desire to conquer his weaknesses and learn the art of using his mind and body in an integrated way.

The path that he embarked on and followed for more than 50 years was one of refusal to compromise. His dedication can be seen in the fact that a typical day in Paris involved a morning practice session, followed by work from 9 am to 7 pm, and finally an evening practice session from 8 to 10 pm in the club. If he had any strength left on returning from the club, Mario Topolšek would practice at home the things he learned.

In the early 1970s his love for the art and intuitive guidance brought him to Okinawa, the small Japanese island considered the cradle of karate. This journey was undertaken after a letter Mario wrote to Master Kanei Uechi, asking to become his student. The answer came after several months, when in his own words, Mario had already forgotten about the matter. In his letter Master Kanei Uechi replied that he would be happy to accept him as his student and invited him to visit his dojo. In Okinawa, Mario Topolšek became the student of the famed karate master Kanei Uechi 10^th Dan in the Uechi ryu karate school.

Master Uechi was one of the few karate masters to hold a triple 10^th Dan. Already the holder of the 10^th Dan title from his own karate school, he also received recognition from two karate associations which brought together various karate styles – the Okinawa Karate Association and the Japanese Karate Federation.

In Okinawa, practice sessions took place twice a day, totaling six or seven hours. In the evenings, after practice, the students would go to cafes where they spent many hours talking about the art and old times. As Mario would say, those happy days of practice and friendship were fondly etched in his memory.

On his return to Yugoslavia, Mario continued to practice Uechi ryu karate with dedication. Besides holding a full-time job, he spent many hours every day practicing. Shortly on his return, a group of karate enthusiasts encouraged him to teach them the art. Mario first started teaching Uechi ryu karate in the Partizan club, Rakovica chapter, and later at the Borac karate club in Belgrade.

The first Uechi ryu karate federation in Europe was founded in Belgrade in 1972. One year later, the first Uechi ryu seminar was organized by Mario Topolšek. This was also the first seminar taught by a teacher from Okinawa, Master Shimabukuro, 4^th Dan Uechi ryu. Master Shimabukuro, a student of Master Seiko Toyama, was first brought to the attention of Mario Topolšek by Master Kanei Uechi, when he first visited his Soke Shubukan Dojo in Okinawa.

It was in the early 1970s that Mario Topolšek planted the seeds of the martial art, which quickly spread and soon Yugoslavia was the third country in the world, right after Okinawa and the USA in the number of practitioners of the art.

Mario Topolšek was only the second European who practiced in the Soke Shubukan Dojo, the global headquarters of Uechi ryu karate, run by Master Kanei Uechi. He was preceded only by Master David L. Scott, 2^nd Dan UKA, from Liverpool, Great Britain.

A few years later, in 1975, Mario Topolšek was awarded the title of instructor (license no. 59) and was promoted to the position of technical advisor for Uechi karate do in Yugoslavia (1 January 1975).

In 1978 Master Kanei Uechi publishes a book in Japanese, Uechi ryu karate-d kyokai. In this book he talks about the history and development of the martial art of the tiger, dragon and crane in China, Okinawa and Japan, the art’s techniques and katas, exercises for strengthening the arms, legs, and body. He also discusses herbal medicines and vital pressure points in the body. The book contained the Chinese manuscript Wu Bei Zhi (Bubishi, in Japanese), a famous self-defense manual that originated in the Chinese province of Fujian (the author and time it was written remain unknown). In the late 19^th or early 20^th century, the manuscript reached Okinawa and the methods described in it were embraced by many karate masters, founders of the various Okinawa karate schools. Master Kanei Uechi’s book also contained the register of the Okinawa Karate Association (UKA), photographs and a list of DAN holders (black belts), instructors and representatives of Uechi Ryu karate in Okinawa and the world.

Sensei Kanei Uechi was a kind but very strict teacher and demanded that his students devote hours and hours of practice in the basic position – sanchin. On one occasion he shared these words with Mario Topolšek: “Just practice! As much as you can! Don’t ask; believe in the art, and one day your body will give you the answer to all your questions.” Wonderful and simple advice. For a true devotee of the art there is no room for theorizing, for ego, for thoughts of his own greatness and skill. With faith and practice, the mind and body will show the devotee whether he has truly mastered the art.

Mario Topolšek followed this principle he learned in Okinawa his whole life and also instructed his own students in the same way.

Mario Topolšek’s hard work and dedication were recognized, and he was awarded many certificates of acknowledgement. The Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Association awarded him a certificate with these words: Certificate – Given to Mario Topolsek by the Okinawa Uechi Karate Association in acknowledgement of his mastery of the spirit and art of Uechi ryu karate-do, both aspects of the art having been accomplished by devoted study and practice.

Amongst the many awards, special mention should be given to the certificate given to Master Topolšek by the Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Association in recognition of his mastery over the spirit and art of Uechi ryu karate do, which he achieved through faithful and dedicated practice.

A sweet anecdote illustrates the respect Master Topolšek garnered in Okinawa. When Master Kanei Uechi was already aged and of failing health, no longer actively participating in practices, he would sit in his kimono in the dojo and his students would approach and bow before him respectfully. Sadly, at the time, Master Uechi no longer recognized faces. During a practice session, after the students started practicing the sanchin kata, the Master raised his head suddenly and said loudly: “Mario-san!”. He had recognized his student by the way he performed the unique sanchin kata. The occasion was the last time master and student saw each other.

On invitation by other karate masters, Mario Topolšek practiced in the dojos of Master Nakahodo, 8^th Dan, Master Takamiyagi, 7^th Dan, and Master Shinjo, 6^th Dan. Master Topolšek also maintained contact with teachers in other karate traditions.

In 1997 Master Topolšek visited the Zakimi dojo, where he became the student of Master Seiko Toyama, a direct disciple of Master Kanbun Uechi, the founder of the Uechi karate school in Wakayama, Okinawa.

Mario Topolšek took his students to Okinawa several times, where they practiced and competed. As a guest of the Okinawa Karate Association, he took part in the First World Okinawa Karate and Kobudo Tournament, organized in 1997. The last time he took his students from Serbia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia was in 2003, when they participated in the Second World Okinawa Karate and Kobudo Tournament.

Besides practicing and teaching the art, Mario Topolšek also authored many books on the subject of martial arts and practices to improve the quality of life.

Around 2007 Master Topolšek stopped actively practicing Uechi ryu karate, having achieved 8^th Dan. Expressing his respect for the martial art, Master Topolšek said: “I always carry Uechi Ryu in my heart. My respected Master, Kanei Uechi died in 1991 and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his advice, patience, and knowledge, which he shared with me in his effort to help me master the art. After the death of my Master, as is usual, the once mighty and respected karate association disintegrated into many smaller clubs, losing its splendor. I continued onwards on my journey”.