Jerome

Haven't been here for awhile. Thanks for all the replies again I've considered all your opinions. So now I have 3 choices either the TKD the Shotokan or another style I checked out just a few hours ago. a style named Goju Budo. Its one of those 3 I'll be choseing within the week to come. The recent posts have got me thinking hard as to which style is best for self defence. I'll continue to review these 3 styles and after a week's class I'll tell y'all how it went in the one I chose. So far the TKD teacher has a great presonality and is from the same country I'm from coinidently, he teaches some Kick Boxing and Street Fighting along the TKD. The Shotokan master teaches Jiujitsu along with his. And the Goju Budo teaches Aikido and Jiujitsu along side. They all seem very nice, the TKD and Goju Budo still compete where the Shotokan teacher doesn't unfortunately. I will be attending atleast one class of each to see who their students perform. More input from everyone is welcomed, thanks again for your help.

Thx for the replies all. Well I've visited the Karate club which is a Shotokan style, I didn't get to see any of the older black belt students because they trained the day b4 I came. The instructor is a 4th degree Black Belt who is a student of one of Canada's best, I forgot her name. He's an older guy but uh he looks kinda weak, this may be the biggest mistake I've ever made by saying that but he doesn't seem as strong ast the TKD master I met. The Karate instructer told me of some blocking techniques you dont learn until brown belt which he teaches early on and he also took TKD and Judo which he incorperates into his teaching. As for the TKD gym the instructor is pretty impressive, very friendly pictures all over the wall and championships, its W.T.F. style, he also teaches some street fighting and kick boxing in his class alonside the TKD. He is also a 4th and 4th in Canada I think. Has two daughters who are also black belts in TKD. The Karate doesn't require a contract so I can try that first as some of you suggested, then the TKD and make my decision. But from what I've heard the Shotokan will be better of for defending myself. The TKD instructer comes back on monday, they are training in the woods up north so I'll ask how far he goes into kick boxing before I make any real decisions. From what I've heard I'd prolly chose the Karate gym but the instructer worries me. I was expecting something very serious I guess, someone very direct but not rude. There are other Shotokan gyms in my area so I'll check those aswell. EIDT: The TKD instructor Dane Williams is a 13 time O.T.A. Champion and is the Canadian Lightweight Champion. Does that count for anything?

I haven't visited the Karate gym yet, I"m doing that this week. I have visited the Tae Kwon Do one which is taught by Dane Williams the Canadian Lightweight Champion. If its not too much trouble could you list a general description of the different Karate styles and its comparison to Tae Kwon Do. I'd like to gather some information because some ppl just want money and I want whats best for me. W.T.F 4th Degree Master Dane Williams. EDIT: Sry can't spell Oh a comparative forum, thx mods didn't see this. I'll read on through the threads to get my answers.

I"m sure this question has likely been asked many times before but I've finally decided to go full-time into a martial art and I have 2 choices. Tae Kwon Do or Karate. I've heard Tae Kwon Do is about 80% feel and 20% arms where as Karate is 50/50. So I'm asking for some opinions on the two, which tyles of fighting do they differ in, is one more aggressive, more contact, more attack, "more deadly"? Also I've heard in most turnements the Tae Kwon Do guy usually looses becasue the Karate guy automatically goes on the inside where the Tae Kwon Do guy can't do anything. It seems kindof bias but I'd like some opinions on one vs the other.