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I've been a black belt for 22 years today


hodge

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 :p ;)

 

Well done Hodge, congrats :)

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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.

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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.

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