is it too late to learn?

[xchrisbobisx]

i took 'karate' class and TKD class before as a child, like almost everyone else, for about 4 years. i have been doing MMA currently but was hoping to start kyokushin karate, but i watched some videos and read some bios and have seen most people started kyokushin at a real early age. im already almost 20 years old im not sure if its too late, i know theres a old cliche "its never too late to learn" but honestly how far can one go when im already so old and i might already have a bunch of bad habbits.

[supergroup7]

How far do you want to go? You are only limited by your thoughts. Kyokushin Karate can be learned, and bad habits can be unlearned. If you want to pursue this path, find yourself a good Sensei, and start walking.

[xchrisbobisx]

well im not trying to learn for ranks, im trying to learn kyokyshin so i can use some of its skills in mma, i want to find a good sensei, and go to a dojo that actually trains and conditions hard. most schools i cant find what im looking for its all katas and ranks. assuming i find a suitable school i would like to spend a year or two.

[BrazilianKick1]

where are you?

[Azimuth]

Almost 20 well than you are about to retire pretty soon : )

[jcbel]

20 years old? Still a spring chicken I think... I know people who started training in their 30's and still got their Shodan.

You get out what you put in - having the right instructor is key too.

[kakatootoshi]

Dear xchrisbobisx,
Welcome to our forums!

I try to answer your question. Kimura Yasuhiko Sensei started training at 20/21 at a dojo near his workplace. He did very well in All-Japan and World Tournaments and he retired fighting after the 8th world tournament, the 12th year of his Karate training. He is an example to tell us that starting training at 20's is alright even if you are aiming at a competitive level (of course he trains very very hard).

However when you mention about your "bad" habits and that you are going to spend one or two years in Kyokushin I am wondering that Kyokushin may not be a good choice for you. I do not think one or two years of Kyokushin training from scratch can completey reformulate your habits (and perhaps those habits are not bad).

And no disrespect intended, if you want to train at a dojo then Kata and ranks are important, it is just a matter of "more or less". Kata is an important part of our training and if you do not advance through ranks at all, how can your Sensei effectively monitors your progress and teach your more advanced skills which suit your techincal growth? If you are just interested in learning some of the Kyokushin fighting skills (not for fighting in Kyokushin Tournaments but as part of your MMA training) then I suggest that you may learn what you want not from a dojo.

OSU!

[Brad]

yeah you are still young i didnt start till i was twenty two but i only had a little experience from karate and mauy thai.

[jcbel]

Originally Posted by kakatootoshi

And no disrespect intended, if you want to train at a dojo then Kata and ranks are important, it is just a matter of "more or less". Kata is an important part of our training and if you do not advance through ranks at all, how can your Sensei effectively monitors your progress and teach your more advanced skills which suit your techincal growth? If you are just interested in learning some of the Kyokushin fighting skills (not for fighting in Kyokushin Tournaments but as part of your MMA training) then I suggest that you may learn what you want not from a dojo.

I agree with Kaka-san, Kyokushin training is more than just the hard training and free fighting. Asking an instructor to teach you any less would be like walking into a boxing gym and asking to be taught how to punch but ignoring their conditioning training.

[Lucy]

Before i opened this thread i was expecting to see someone introducing themselves as a 40+! No way are you too old! In fact this is a pretty good age as you have yet to even reach your physical peak. You have experience in martial arts so you should take to kyokushin pretty well. You will only benefit, but don't be inclined to look for just hard training and fighting, thats the wrong mindset if you want to take up kyokushin. We have some guys your age that took up training a little over a year ago and they are really into it in all aspects now and really flourishing! Go along to a club with an open mind, you may be suprised how much you enjoy it.

[koji112091]

Originally Posted by xchrisbobisx

i know theres a old cliche "its never too late to learn" .

But there is also a cliche "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"
Just joking. You can learn as much as you want. Age is no barrier.

[tmd]

Before you try and find a dojo ask yourself, what are you looking for? A martial arts Sensei or a knockdown instructor? Age is no barrier you are a great age to start knockdown or any other combative sport. I hope you find your path.

[meguro]

Originally Posted by Lucy

Before i opened this thread i was expecting to see someone introducing themselves as a 40+! No way are you too old!

40+ is too old?! Yikes. I better tell my senpai (48) who won the all Japan for 2 years running in the 40 years and over middleweight division and another (41) in the lightweights. I'm 44 and am surrounded by the hardest hitting guys I know who don't know how to quit. At 20, you should not be having any doubts about anything. Life's too short.

[tmd]

Originally Posted by meguro

40+ is too old?! Yikes. I better tell my senpai (48) who won the all Japan for 2 years running in the 40 years and over middleweight division and another (41) in the lightweights. I'm 44 and am surrounded by the hardest hitting guys I know who don't know how to quit. At 20, you should not be having any doubts about anything. Life's too short.

I don't think Lucy was saying we're too old at 40 (ops! only 38 so what do I know) I think she was just surprised that this guy was 20 and thinking he's past it!

[strongman1]

Osu

never to late to start but once you do it's kyokushin 4 life
we'll motivate you

[Bloke]

I was 19 when I started and Im still here some years later. Tmd is right - do you want to learn Knockdown or Kyokushin?

[supergroup7]

" i cant find what im looking for its all katas and ranks."

I can't believe that I'm saying what I'm going to say.. kata is not for you.

With the sentiment that you have just shown me, I'd tell you to look for a good MMA Instructor who matches your desires.

Kyokushin karate involves kata, and ranks, you may not be learning what you want, and need to learn. Maybe you could go to the Sensei of the Kyokushin dojo, and express that you would like to learn some of the basic techniques on a one on one private class that could be used in an MMA situation. You can ask him to give you some fighting advice on a private class basis. Maybe, if you pay him well, that could happen.

But I'd still recommend turning to someone who has experience in the MMA world, and can share that with you.

[Olrac]

Originally Posted by tmd

I don't think Lucy was saying we're too old at 40 (ops! only 38 so what do I know) I think she was just surprised that this guy was 20 and thinking he's past it!

I'm also 40+ now and preparing for tournament. It's never too late to start something. If I was 20 again I would definately start training kyokushin.
I started when I was 14, trained for 4 years and had to stop because of my militairy carrier. 12 years later started again, haven't had a moment of regret.
It's all in your mind

[guty]

i just started kyokushin ,I'm still a proud 10th kyu white belt !!! am 28 ,one kid,lots of "bad habits" , i was afraid i could not get to tournaments or to old to learn enough or to get shodan (thats my dream to be a kyokushin shodan), but reading all this threads , well..... I'M STILL YOUNG BABY YEAHH!!!!

[Lucy]

Oh my god! I was definately not implying that 40+ is old lol! I was just thinking maybe this was a little old dude wanting to start karate and wondering how he could go about it I was just shocked to see a 19 year old asking this question. There's nothing wrong with fighting at over 40 yrs of age.... if ya still got it flaunt it Ive seen many fighters of this age and above even become champions. Its all in the heart.