Introduction

October 24, 20178 yr

Hi all,

I have been lurking since March, and finally decided to introduce myself. I began training in martial arts (TKD) when I was a teenager in the early 80's. In college I was able to start training in Shotokan with a friend from school who was on the USA Junior team. I enjoyed competing in traditional tournaments in both kumite and kata, and attained 1st Kyu rank in the early 90's. I had always loved watching PKA kickboxing on ESPN, and decided to give kickboxing a try. Unfortunately, I stopped my training in Shotokan to pursue kickboxing more aggressively. During the mid '90s I fought 6 amateur kickboxing fights and a couple of boxing exhibitions. My last fight was at the Hampton Beach Casino in October 1995 where I scored a third round TKO, after being dropped in the first round - and getting a pretty cool looking black eye. I had hopes of fighting for an amateur title, but twice the fight was cancelled, and I decided to give up my kickboxing goal of becoming a professional.

I started weight training consistently after my wife and I bought a house in '99, and dabbled in judo, BJJ, Uechi Ryu, and Tai Chi for about a year with each style. A little over a year ago I decided to return to Shotokan. Although my first Sensei was no longer teaching, his Sensei was, and he remembered me, as we tested with him. I have been training hard, went back into competing in Kumite and Kata, and even did weapons (Bo) in one competition. Although I often wish I had never stopped training in Shotokan, I know I can only move forward. In my 20's I wanted to do so many different things, now closing in on 50 I feel my Shotokan training has become one of the most important aspects of my life, and I am so happy to be back in the dojo.

Thanks for reading!

Mark

October 24, 20178 yr

Welcome aboard, Mark.

We can always ask ourselves what if. If I stuck with my original sensei, I’d probably be 5th dan by now. I say that because the guy I tested for shodan with was promoted to godan a little over a year ago, and we were kind of like dojo twins.

Life got in the way, and I had other priorities, such as grad school, starting a career, meeting my wife, having our daughters, etc. I’m in a different organization with a different teacher, and started all over again. It’ll be 3 years in February.

Your experience seems to be excellent. I’m sure all of that stuff you’ve done makes you far better than if you didn’t do any of it. It’ll give you additional insight into what you’re currently doing and it’ll help you appreciate where you are. Sometimes you’ve got to step away from something to realize what you actually had.