hodge Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'm quite emotional writting this. after 22 years of competing in karate I've decided to retire from competition. Think i may have had a couple of years left in me but wanted to be remembered as a great fighter not someone who used to be good. on Sunday I anounced my retirement at the north east karate championships which I'd just won for the 20 th year in succession. the organizer gave a very emotional speech declaring me as the most successful fighter karate has ever produced in the north of England. Matched with a standing ovasion from the crowd and competitors this almost reduced me to tears, but didn't want to look a fanny. over the years I've competed some of my major titles are- world heavy weight silver medalist world mixed team champion European masters champion English champion 8 times national champion North of England champion for 20 years undefeated. All in all over 400 regional, national and international titles. I really hope I've made the right decision here but in my heart I think I have. Its time to comcentrate on my students now to make them the best they can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class One Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I think a good decision. Looks like you've had a fantastically successful career and fi you knwo in your heart that it's time to stop, then it is time to stop. Many people get nowhere near acheiving those sort of results, so time for you to pass on your sucess to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 22 years , I think you deserve a break. Congratulations mate that is some list of achievements Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra matt Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Well done mate that's some recold you have there and 22 years at the top of your game is unreal so good time to hang up them gloves . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schtuv Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Congratulations on a karate career most could only dream of! I've always thought leaving while you're ahead is better than sticking around ... I still have to get ahead to test that theory, though. ... I'd hate to be your housekeeper with all that silverware to polish! EDIT: Got any pics of yourself in competition for us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Wow, I got to dan 2 on a yellow belt and I thought I had achieved something! Very impressive, thats quite a legacy you have there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 wow nice one mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 That's a hell of an achievement! I'm envious, I do kickboxing and I'm easily the worst at sparring in my club. Still like it though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 That's gonna be rough Hodge. You'll need some back up to see you through properly maybe. Fantastic career, I think it's the right decision too. Family and students for back up. Their respect will help. Wish you all the best for the future. I've loved martial arts for a long time. Practised for 3 years too. To this day I don't know why I gave it up. Respect where respect is due. Congratulations to you for all you've achieved. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 So you've given Karate the chop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Believe it on not I dont have any pics of me competing. I always was interested in keeping my mind on the job than looking pretty for the cameras. In 22 years i think ive been in the local paper only once. Was never interested in making what i did public really. I did it for me not for what I wanted people to think about me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suprash Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Some acheivement but can you do this.....lol http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070917/popchill/karate_l.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 20 years undefeated? About time you gave someone else a chance you selfish bugger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Good effort!! Remind me never to p1ss you off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markymark Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Well done mate - I used to train under Jeff Thompson a few years back (I'm sure you know of him) & I'm sometimes gutted I didn't keep it up. My son, who's 7, has just started going & is completely hooked. I'm hoping he will keep it up & better the level I got to. I used to train when I was in my teens & had a good chance to do well, but got caught up in work/relationship etc... good to see you're passing on your knowledge & talent to the next generation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markymark Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Some acheivement but can you do this.....lol http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070917/popchill/karate_l.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Fancy a fight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 great achievements you have there, would be well pleased with that lot under my belt:) congrats!!! You'll know in a few months whether it's the right choice or not, go with your instinct, it's normally right What's your real name by the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steb9780 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 now you've retired, you'll be able to "wax-on, wax-off" with the missus pledge a bit more No seriously mate that's some going, weel done and good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Beast Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Good effort on your achievments, i did shotakan for 11 years training with john van weenan in bedford, loved every minuite of it, always wished i had gone on to do comps, although i did gain my black belt before i joined the army. so is there anything on youtube of you fighting? i am sure there are a few of us that would like to watch. so are you still going to train? just not compete? richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Nice one fella, I'm impressed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplavery Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 How come you wanna stop ????? Dont you have Executive Male divisons??? or tag team at your competitions....At least then your still doing something. Or you can do Patterns or Kata's what you call them... Keep going mate while you still can or you will regrette it. You have done really well though mate!. I love competitions, Won this and that but i do Tae kwon-do I feel for ya if your stopping mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snooze Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Total respect for an outstanding career, but I'm also interested in why you want to quit. As far as I'm concerned, the only reasons I would stop doing something are: a) because it's physically too risky to continue (wish I'd paid attention to this one before injury ended my football career!) b) because you can't devote the time to it or c) because you just don't enjoy it any more So if you're still capable of doing something, have enough time to spend doing it and still enjoy doing it, then that'd be enough for me - I wouldn't worry about "how I'd be remembered". I really feel for you either way - the end of a sporting career is a soul-searching moment - just go with your heart on it. But remember; if you stop now, it's a very, very long retirement...... Hope it all works out for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 I went training last night. What a strange feeling that was. I felt alot more relaxed than I ever have. Even sparing with the better fighters in the club. I suppose I've got nothing to prove anymore. Ill continue training for as long as my body will let me really and apart from having more broken hands and feet than I've had hot dinners I'm in quite good shape really. cheers for all the kind comments it is abut of a sole searching time for me at the minuite but I'm sure I've done the right thing. thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 woow that quite a list of achievements well done mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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