odsouza

Hi Everyone. Back after a long time on this page. When I posted this query, I was 27. I am going to turn 43 this year. Time flies . Its been a nice and enjoyable martial arts journey. After I restarted my Shotokan training in 2005, I trained intensively for 2 years. I was at the level where i was asked to go for my brown belt grading however, at the time i got married and shifted to another part of the city hence discontinued my classes. I did keep up my fitness all through out the years so that has helped although my body is not as fast and young as it used to be. I trained intensively for the last 4 years (excluding 2020 because of the covid) in Wing tsun and Escrima. Throughly enjoyed the training and was beginning to get good. Reached student level 9 in Wing Tsun and Level 8 in Escrima (these levels may differ in different schools). Because of the Covid situation in 2020, the school closed down and my instructor is relocating back to his home country hence I haven't been able to train as well. I am still doing my basic routines and maintaining my fitness. Will have to wait and see if the Covid situation stabilises (and when) plus if the school re opens. Alternatively, will have to see if I should then start training any other martial art in the area and if so which one (Getting to be a regular jack of all arts here, but I am not complaining). You learn something new at every place. I do hope my school opens up soon. Since my initial post in 2005, there are now more than a dozen different martial arts being taught in the city (BJJ, Karate, Judo,TKW, Hapkido, MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Krav Maga etc). Anyway, just wanted to touch base with you all at the forum. Not sure if some of the previous respondents are still on this forum. Hope all of you are enjoying your training. Best Regards

hey guys , just passed my blue belt test last week. going good so far. had to take a sparring test with a brown belt. did pretty ok.

guys just passed my green belt exam day before. am really feeling great. thanks for all ur feedback and support.

passed my yellow belt grading test yesterday. going pretty good so far. thanks.

thanks to all u guys for all your advice. just completed 2 months of shotokan karate classes and i'm enjoying every moment of it. i used to keep pretty fit previously but even then my fitness level has improved. now i'm wondering why i didn't join earlier. but then better late than never , i guess.

thanks for all the advice guys. just finished one month. going great so far.

hi guys thanks for all the advice. i just enrolled in the shotokan karate school as it is the closest to my place. will let u guys know how it goes. the instructor also told me that he can teach kung - fu . how do i check his credentials? the karate training is recognised by a national association but i dont know how the kung fu training works out. thanks

am checking out a kung fu school near my place. will let u guys know what's happening. thanks

thanks for the advice guys. i'm lookinf for an art to enable me to defend myself. not sure if the taekwondo is traditional or sporty.( which is better?) the instructor is a former national team coach. i'm working in a place called dubai in the gulf so that's where i'm based. hapkido is taught by a guy called matt sayer. will go and check the place tomorrow. thanks

hi guys need a little advice. i'm planning to start learning self defence from june. the choices available to me are hapkido/taekwondo/karate(shotokan). i am looking for a martial art that would be suitable for me. i am 5 ' 11" , medium build ,27 years old. had learnt karate for a couple of years when i was younger i.e. 12 years back. what do u guys suggest? personally i thought of trying either tkw or hapkido . not sure which one to go for. appreciate a little guidance. od