Time to Make Good on an Old Dream

Back when we had the old website (www.karateormskirk.co.uk) we had a testimonials page. On this page was a series of (as you might have guessed it) testimonials written by a group of us, each talking about how we found the OSKC and how our first session went.

Well to keep these stories alive, as you may have already seen, I have published them here for you — and now, if the subtitle of this post wasn’t already a hint, it’s time for me to tell my story.

So, why did I take up Karate? I freely admit that I have never been a "sporty" type, finding more interest in computers and playing video games than running around fields or kicking balls. That said, however, with a firm push from my Grandmother, adamant that I join a gym (or at the very least get some form of exercise), I decided to make good on a dream that I had had since school – to learn a Martial Art.

Following some research of the local martial arts clubs and a 5-minute phone call (preceded, I should mention, by no less than two days of me debating if I should ring or not) I took the plunge and joined the club for a taster session.

Six years, several international courses, one international training camp in Tokyo, and 2 championships later, I now stand as a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. Surrounded not just by some of the most exceptional teachers I have ever met, but also some of the most excellent people that I could have ever hope to meet, and with more experiences and memories that I would have ever believed back when I first picked up that phone.

Echoing the sentiments already posted by Carl in his feature; I can't imagine ever training anywhere else.

 And there you have it, but what about you, do you have any stories about the first time you did Karate? Let me know in the comments below, I'd be quite int rested in seeing them.

As for me, I'll see you in the Dojo,

Michael Clayton-Brown; 1st Dan