hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I started shotokan karate at the age of ten, and passing my 1st Dan black belt when I was 14. Now I'm 36 and was awarded my 5th Dan by the EKF (English Karate Federation) a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing how time just flies by. 26 years I've Been training now it's hard it believe really. It's been a bumpy ride along the way. It's taken me all over the world and I've met some amazing and very talented people along the way and wouldn't change any of it for the world. Think I'm having a sentimental moment here and thought I'd share it with all of you. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Have you been over to Japan Hodge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_p Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Through the power of ebay, I can also be a blackbelt (just don't challenge me:d ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parry_10 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 congrats, thats a long time some serious commitment there! I know not to mess with you then haha:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Congrats dude, big achievement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I have a black belt too, big deal. Mine's leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Have you been over to Japan Hodge? I havnt mate unfortunately. I was beaten in selections for the World karate Cup in Japan I think it was 2003. Don't get me wrong I was beaten by a better man on the day and he took 4th place in the -80kg category. It was my dream to fight over there but it wasn't ment to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Through the power of ebay, I can also be a blackbelt (just don't challenge me:d ) My money is on John..!! Well done Hodge. It is something I have always wanted to get into as a means of keeping fit and also being able to handle yourself better. In the Police I did a lot of self defence moves and loved putting them into practice when needed. Over the last 8 years or so I have forgotten a lot of it. I suppose you are never too old to start again. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 My money is on John..!! Well done Hodge. It is something I have always wanted to get into as a means of keeping fit and also being able to handle yourself better. In the Police I did a lot of self defence moves and loved putting them into practice when needed. Over the last 8 years or so I have forgotten a lot of it. I suppose you are never too old to start again. H. I didn't know you were in the police Havard?!...boooo Well done Hodge, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Gaz Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Congrats mate, i wish i had the discipline, the only black belt i own is made of leather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkddav3 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 ive only been a blackbelt for 11 years, 3rd dan in taekwondo started when i was 10 too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 come on podge we all know a tubby lad like you couldnt throw a kick over mid chest hight congrats mate dont beat me up at japshow , its all banter really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 There's always a few who come out with I've got a black belt and it's leather lol. Like it's never Been said before. Thanks guys. It really doesn't seem very long at all since I graded for black belt. After that everything went crazy really. I was selected for the England national team at 21 which I stayed for almost 10 years. I won the English international championships -80kg 1997 European masters cup at -80kg in 1998 English championships at open weight in 1999 World team champion and world heavyweight silver medal 2006. I retired from competing in 2008 which I still miss very much. But I'm unable to train to the intensity I need to, to compete at a good level. I went back for a fight in 2009 and unfortunately snapped my Achilles tendon and I've never competed since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Mitchell Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 check you out bruce lee, crouching tiger hidden pea-bug ect ect congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Some very nice achievements and I would think some fantastic memories too. Did you also go in for Kata competitions and what kind of stuff are you doing now, given your achilles issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Mitchell Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Some very nice achievements and I would think some fantastic memories too. Did you also go in for Kata competitions and what kind of stuff are you doing now, given your achilles issue? building impressive engines!! come on Rob keep up ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 building impressive engines!! come on Rob keep up ha ha Engine schmengines. I mean Shotokan stuff... (as you may well know) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Mitchell Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Engine schmengines. I mean Shotokan stuff... (as you may well know) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Some very nice achievements and I would think some fantastic memories too. Did you also go in for Kata competitions and what kind of stuff are you doing now, given your achilles issue? I used to love competing in kata too but I was more of a fighter. I won numerous regional championships in kata but my highest placing at English championship level was the last 8 in 2000. My Achilles is now fully healed or seems to be anyway. It doesn't inhibit my training what so ever if I'm honest, and I've noticed it a lot more flexible than my other leg which is odd lol. I try not to think about it at all when I train, if I do I hesitate before doing something and usually ends up in a black eye or a splattered nose. I try and get a couple of weight sessions and a couple of runs in each week too time permitting but karate will always be my main passion. I don't suppose I'd be who I am as a person if it wasn't for karate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 There's always a few who come out with I've got a black belt and it's leather lol. Like it's never Been said before. come on podge we all know a tubby lad like you couldnt throw a kick over mid chest hight didnt see the hidden msg did you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 didnt see the hidden msg did you I did I just chose to ignore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I did I just chose to ignore it. banter not your strong point today ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Well done mate, it must take some dedication to keep that level of training up for 26 years, here's to the next 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Well done mate, it must take some dedication to keep that level of training up for 26 years, here's to the next 26 Thanks Jay mate. I'll give you a buzz over the weekend mate for a catch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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