Inclined

Thank you for this. I am very interested in competing, but more so looking for progression to being a well-rounded fighter. I do find myself lacking skill when it comes to combat on the ground, so BJJ makes a lot of sense. I'll do a little more research on BJJ. Thanks. Is BJJ the best option to hone my grappling/ground skills? If so, what are other styles that come in a close second or third?

I bought a very helpful, informative book Karate-Do Kyohan by Gichin Funakoshi about a year ago that I have been studying and practicing on my own (forgot to note this). 3-6 months is a goal I set, but I am not going to rush anything and let things unfold naturally. To answer your question of my martial arts goal, is I do want to compete in MMA. However, when I wake up every morning I use the Shotokan katas as a form of meditation/practice to get my day going as well as to preserve the Japanese martial arts culture. Currently I am doing my morning individual practice and training at my dojo in the evening. Once I obtain my black belt I will continue my morning rituals of kata practice, but switch my evening training to whatever other style I select.

Between the ages of 11-14 I did Shotokan training and received the rank of brown belt with 2 stripes (which is a rank below black belt). I stopped going because I was consumed with the various athletic teams I dedicated most of my time to. I am now 24 and have started going back to the original dojo in which I began to get my black belt. I am finding that I remember the beginning and intermediate katas very well and figure I'll be able to re-learn everything that has left me and attain my black belt within 3-6 months. Looking forward to the future I know I'm going to continue my study of martial arts once I receive my black belt in Shotokan. My question is what other style(s) of combat would you recommend would fit well with the techniques my body is used to with Shotokan??? I am 5'11'', 165lbs and would consider myself an athlete (coordinated with quick feet/hands). People have recommended Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu to me, but don't back it up with any facts of why. If anybody could help out that'd be great. I am open to anything: boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu. Thanks for the help!