The Shotokan club is the oldest surviving martial arts club on campus, dating back to the 1960's, but the actual art of Shotokan was developed in the 1880's, said Paul Meyers, club president and a sophomore from Sioux City, Iowa. Shotokan is a style of martial arts involving hand-to-hand combat using mostly strikes and some throws. Its purpose is to perfect the self and the mind through the art of Karate-do. Meyers' mind is darn near perfected already, judging by his answers to the following pop quiz thrown at him by The Bubble's Lane Wright.
Q: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where everybody was kung fu fighting?
A: Yes. Usually I was the one winning.
Q: Do you think Tom Cruise would make a good samurai?
A: I read somewhere he studied Jet kwon do, but I don't have any confirmation. He's actually old enough to have met Bruce Lee.
Q: Do you think Chris Farley made a good ninja?
A: No.
Q: Why not?
A: The term 'ninja' means stealth assassin, and for somebody that size, it would be quite hard to do.
Q: Do you know any Jedi mind tricks?
A: Yes, actually. I can predict techniques of an opponent. People who are experienced can predict other's moves and get into their mind and play with them a little. In all seriousness, it's possible.
Q: What are the three-pronged things that Rafael used in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?'
A: Kiboto Sai, used for disarming and defending against swords. It's one of the more perfect weapons. The sai, an unmodified version of the weapon, is used as a planting tool.
Q: Who came up with the name for numb chucks?
A: I have no idea, but they used to be used as rice beaters.
Q: Have you ever caught a fly with chopsticks?
A: No
Q: What about numb chucks?
A: No, but I could catch one with a spear.
Q: If the best ninja got in a fight with the best Shotokan fighter, who would win?
A: They would probably just stare at each other for a long time and neither one of them would move.