Anyone into Martial Arts?

[SenseiSteve]

I first got into Martial Arts in 1970 while stationed at Camp Schwab in Henoko, Okinawa. I trained under Sensei Maehara, who at the time was a seventh degree black belt. I just found this clip online where I see he's now a Grand Master, 10th degree black belt. I had the real honor to instruct at his dojo for a few days while he was officiating a tournament in Japan. I was a first degree black belt at the time. I remember we never got to take a break during training until we earned the rank of shodan, 1st degree black belt. After our tournament in Nago, he surprised 3 of us by going inside his house (attached to his dojo) and brought out beers for all of us. I got to visit him again in 1975 when I returned to Okinawa for six months.

Is anyone here involved in any style of martial arts?

 

[handsonhosting]

not personally involved (unless you count watching it and going to events). I see Josh Barnett screwed up an orgainzation with his positive drug test. I got to meet Chuck Lidel a few years ago in Vegas, REALLY nice guy - but I never got into the sport myself.

Pretty impressive on that Grand Master. How far up the ranks did you go?

 

[romes]

I just watch the stuff to be honet lol But as Conor said, how far up ranks did you go? and is grandmaster the highest? (pretty sure that is a dumb question lol)

 

[SenseiSteve]

I achieved the rank of Nidan or second degree black belt in weapons and fighting. I was fortunate to instruct in North Carolina, Florida, Hawaii and Missouri - the most memorable for Special Services in Pensacola at the Naval Technical Training Center (Army, Navy, Air Force and USMC students). Fought in some tournaments in Okinawa, and thought about turning pro in '74.