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mkdaggy
White Belt
Joined: 13 Mar 2017
Posts: 12
Location: MA
Styles: Shotokan, BJJ
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 Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:45 am Post subject: Introduction |
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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 |
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JR 137
Black Belt
Joined: 10 May 2015
Posts: 2442
Location: In the dojo
Styles: Seido Juku
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| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:43 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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Zaine
Black Belt
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 2277
Location: Dallas, TX
Styles: Matsumura-Seito, Shobayashi-Ryu, Shudokan, Long Fist, American Street Karate, Southern Mantis, HEMA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:02 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to KF, Mark! It's great to have you!
_________________
Martial arts training is 30% classroom training, 70% solo training.
https://www.instagram.com/nordic_karate/ |
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Wastelander
KF Sensei
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 2733
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Styles: Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-Ryu, Judo, KishimotoDi
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| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum!
_________________
Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society |
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Bulltahr
Brown Belt
Joined: 08 Mar 2015
Posts: 727
Location: NEW ZEALAND
Styles: Shotokan, Seido Juku
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| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome MKdaggy, you have found a nice corner of the interwebby for MA practitioners....
_________________
"We don't have any money, so we will have to think" - Ernest Rutherford |
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mkdaggy
White Belt
Joined: 13 Mar 2017
Posts: 12
Location: MA
Styles: Shotokan, BJJ
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| Many thanks all! |
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singularity6
Pre-Black Belt
Joined: 26 Jun 2017
Posts: 958
Location: Michigan
Styles: Jidokwan Taekwondo and Hapkido, Yoshokai Aikido, ZNIR Iaido, Kendo
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Welcome, sir!
_________________
5th Geup Jidokwan Tae Kwon Do/Hap Ki Do
(Never officially tested in aikido, iaido or kendo) |
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sensei8
KF Sensei
Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16424
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]
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| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to KF, mkdaggy; glad that you're here!!
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**Proof is on the floor!!! |
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DWx
Black Belt
Joined: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 6455
Location: UK
Styles: Tae Kwon Do & Yang family Tai Chi
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| Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:19 am Post subject: |
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Welcome Mark 
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"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius |
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MatsuShinshii
Black Belt
Joined: 15 Aug 2016
Posts: 1423
Location: Kentucky
Styles: Machimura Suidi Rokudan, Ryukyu Kenpo, Kobudo, Judo
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| Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:38 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to KF.
_________________
The person who succeeds is not the one who holds back, fearing failure, nor the one who never fails-but the one who moves on in spite of failure.
Charles R. Swindoll |
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on the post.
