To become a Master, My Journey So Far……………………….

My Martial Art path started at an early age looking forward to watching David Carradine during the early seventies (72-75) in the TV series Kung Fu. I remember it was on Sunday afternoon at that time and I had the chance to watch it as my parents had their afternoon nap after a lunch time session in the ‘local’ and a hefty Sunday roast. It seemed to be normal back then! I loved it when the modern day Kwai Chang Caine met opposition or a challenge and remembered back as a boy in the temple receiving guidance from his elder wise monk, his Master, words of wisdom and philosophy along with his martial technique teachings. All I had to do was to make sure that when I got too excited and started copying the moves in the programme that I didn’t make too much noise or break anything around me. This and anything else that resembled martial arts on the ‘Box’ at that time was all that was available to me to satisfy my interest unlike now with classes almost anywhere to suit all age groups.

I didn’t get to partake in any formal classes as not

much available and parent reluctance at that time (children should be so aware and thankful of parent commitment to them these days with so much to do) until I joined the Royal Navy at 17 (Jan 82) and was so happy to wear my first Gi.

I trained hard and got to represent the RN in the inter services championships. My instructor was one of my Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO) from the squadron that I was assigned to so that made things cool during work mode.

When I left the Navy due to circumstances I felt a bit lost but my interest to continue martial arts again was still there so I visited a few clubs and kept up some training and fitness work until…………….. I saw in a martial art publication that there was now a TKD club not a million miles away as I really fancied having a go at all the jumping and spinning kicks that TKD was renowned for. The irony was that I learnt some time latter that there was a club closer to me but other than paper or leaflet advertising you would rarely know about such things as no internet back then!!

I was soon on the phone (one of those things that used to be fixed to the wall with a curly lead) and after quite a chat, and learning of the new classes that had started since he had moved to the area (1991), had booked myself in for my first TKD lesson. I had just spoken to and started a long relationship with Master Frank Murphy. His enthusiasm on the phone had grabbed me. All I had to do now, was to find the place (no sat nav either).

I took to the TKD as taught by Master Murphy with real passion as that was how he taught it. We covered more than the laid out syllabus including boxing and the sparring was the high light for me. Whilst being with Master Murphy I made numerous friends as the retention was good and I became an instructor for him and then on to start my very own club in 1995 and then two more from the following year.

He was and has always been very open minded to others and back then introduced us to some awesome people. I had the pleasure of meeting and training with Guro Rick Young of JKD who had trained and become an instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto the renowned student and training partner of Bruce Lee (more about both of them in a bit). It was brilliant training and gave me even more to think about. Also at that session was Mr. Dave O’Donnel who you see these days presenting MMA bouts on the TV. Also I had the pleasure to be invited a few times to perform and compete in the Clash of the Titans events hosted by Martial Arts Illustrated so then had the chance to meet the present day stars of the Mats and indeed a few film Celebes. I met Gary Daniels and got to train with Mickey Byrne, the trainer to Gary who has many films to his credit including ‘Fist or the North Star’. Mickey was also training at that time, the young Buster Reeves who won the gladiator’s event on TV and also appeared on our screens in some other TV rolls and has been Christian Bale’s stunt double on the Batman films. We had a good training session with Buster and Bob Sykes, the editor of Martial Arts Illustrated on sparring technique in competitive arenas. They always had time for people and I enjoyed talking to them over the years when I saw them at events, great guys. I enjoyed talking to Michel Qissi, a close friend to Jean-Claude Van Damme who starred in many of his films but unless you followed him, may not of realised how many he had been characters in, like Tong Po in Bloodsport.

Another favourite of mine that I had the pleasure a few times to meet and train with was Mr. Geoff Thompson who is a successful author after life experience and told you how it is, made you work it, hard realism but such a nice guy.

Back on the TKD front though, we had some fantastic people to train with and learn from like Master Tony (the iceman) Sewell, multiple world champion by title but also one of, if not the best overall kickers in my opinion. So fast, accurate, strong and so humble.

The likes also of Master Kim Stones and also training and competing with Mark (the wizard) Weir, (coming 2^nd to him in a breaking comp) TKD world champion but then also going on to train in MMA and record a 10 second first round knock out in a UFC event.

I was also visiting and competing out side of my own association’s events (had been in a few associations by now) which meant I could come into contact with others and found myself at competitions with people like Silvio Simac (future world champ, actor and body builder) and his brother. Great competitors themselves and well run tournaments by proficient organisers.

This also led me after invitation to meeting and to really enjoy training with Guro Bob Breen in some Kali. Regarded as the farther of JKD/Kali and Filipino martial arts in the UK and Europe, had become an instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto apart from his own qualifications and experience. I know that I am sounding repetitive but have to say it, like so many of the people mentioned so far, such an inspiration and a nice person.

I got to train and meet through association with great people and during this time couldn’t help but to still be even more inquisitive about the reasons, why’s, if’s and buts’ to techniques and how else to implement and understand them.

This led me to venture out to find more answers which meant meeting more Masters so after deciding where to start, I planned my next part of the journey, still without sat nav  ……………..

Stay tuned for the next part of the journey

By Grand Master David Martin

Family Martial Arts – Maidstone & Gravesend