I only started karate at the relatively advanced age of 47.

 

On average, the dojo members were 20 or more years younger, which was particularly evident in their greater agility and the athletic aspect of the training. We learned katas, form was important, and there was virtually no focus on content (application/bunkai), so we didn't practise that either. Eight years later, at the age of 55, I was able to take the shodan exam.

 

Once, a sempai who often led the training said, ‘... today we're doing a self-defence session ...’. The exercises were an eye-opener for me, and this statement has stayed with me to this day, leading me to completely question my previous training and focus on real, applied and efficient self-defence.

 

During those years, I read and collected many articles and books about karate, its historical background and its transformation into a sport and competition. I increasingly felt that something was missing from the karate practised at the dojo where I was a member.

 

That's how I came across the term ‘kyusho’ and Sensei Manfred Zink and his publications.

 

It took some time before I made the decision to join the WMAO with the aim of studying effective self-defence through Kyusho-Jutsu. I am just beginning to learn Kyusho-Jutsu and see an interesting path ahead of me.