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[Dent]

Osu!

As per H's request, I'm doing the posting on this one. If there are any problems with the interview, or the posting thereof, they are likely my fault. I'm no Nix you know!

Osu!

Interview with Dent: Part 1

H) Dent has agreed to be the next "victim" we all know he is barking mad, perhaps we might be able to find out why!?

D) Thanks for the invite, H, although I’m surprised to have been chosen. I'm sure there are more interesting people on the Forum.

H) Have you taken many blows to the head recently?

D) Why yes, thank you. Missed spotting a spinning elbow until it was too late, just this past weekend. A little blood and a lovely little bruise.

H) O.K. Perhaps we need to regress?

D) If I regress much further, I’ll be playing in the sandpit!

H) Where did you start your karate journey and who was your first Sensei?

D) I started in Worcester, South Africa in January of 1977. I wish I could tell you his name, but not only was I there for just over a year, I don’t think I ever asked. He was only ever “Sensei” to us kids, and well known both for being borderline crazy and his Fu Manchu moustache. He used to walk around hitting us with a broomstick. And no gentle prodding either! Never explained what we’d done wrong, just “Whack!” at whatever body part he could reach.

He also did fun things like challenge the local Boxing coach to a bareknuckle/ all-in bout. My Dad (A volunteer assistant boxing coach, and fairly handy himself.) wasn’t amused, and expressed himself as such. It would certainly have been something to see if my Dad had had a punch up with my Karate Sensei though!

I tried to find out more about him quite recently, but all I came to were dead ends. I left the area so long ago, and none of the SA Karateka I know seem to have heard of him.

H) Did you take to karate easily, or was it hard work for you?

D) I took to Karate, but it’s always been hard work for me. And that’s probably why I’m still at it. My siblings have far more natural ability than I ever have, and both of them quit Karate years ago. Frankly, I don’t see how it can possibly be easy. There’s always more to learn, more to push yourself to do.

H) How did your first fight go?

D) First Karate fight? Horribly. I faced a much older and bigger yellow belt who simply kicked me off my feet, and head-first into a brick wall. And that was that. That was the way the Dojo was run though. I disagree with that approach. Sure, no one knew any better then, but we certainly do now.

[Dent]

Part 2

H) How long did it take you to get to Shodan, where did you grade and what was the style... Perhaps I should re-phrase that. I am sure your style was good, under what banner?

D) You’re very kind, H. My style certainly isn’t pretty. It took me fourteen years to get my first Shodan, and that was in Goju Ryu (IOGKF-lineage. In the city of Bloemfontein, RSA. (Bloemfontien is supposed to refer to both flowers and fountains, but as I saw through some of my military service in the area, I knew whoever had named the place was either filled with pure romance or simple sarcasm.).

Aside from moving around a fair bit, I had become one of “those” brown belts. I’m not one to trot out profanities on our Forum if possible, so let’s just say I was an ass. I would experiment with techniques outside of the Dojo, and have precious little regard for those inside it either. Not that I was talented, just that I was willing to use everything at my disposal, while others were expecting some restraint. Not a good student for a Dojo, and I got the boot more than once.

I have to give a lot of respect to one of my old Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Sensei Carl Knauff. He saw value in me as an individual during a time when I’d been written off by most others. He kept me as a brown belt until I saw that there was more to Karate than just a tool box of toys to use on others. Even though I haven’t seen him for many years, I still maintain contact with him, and I’m deeply grateful for his time and effort.

South Africa was still under the Apartheid regime, and although I’d kept up my Kyokushin training, the Club Sempai (And in this case it was a club, found in a segregated area close to my home, and not a Dojo) that I was training at was black, and (due to politics) kept as a brown belt. Eventually the momentum was lost, and the members drifted on to other things, or other organizations. (As another commendation to Sensei Carl, training at his Dojo was open to all, regardless of Race, Color, Religion or Creed. He was the best anti-apartheid example I had met, simply because he openly ignored the laws, and treated everyone according to their personal effort.

H) Whom do you consider the hardest fighter you have fought and why… Who won?

D) Tough question. I guess I would say Leonid Schepkin of Russia could probably take that spot. When we met, he outweighed me by about 50kg, and thanks to years with the Russian GRU, he was pretty “hard” inside as well. He caught me with a modified Ashi Hasami, and smashed both left Tibia and Fibula in a few places. I still have a titanium rod through the tibia as a reminder. Not that I really need one. The memory of standing there holding my thigh while the lower leg flopped around at 90 degrees is still pretty fresh. Even 17 years on…

H) You come across as a "world wise" person, what countries have you trained in and what styles? Any special stories?

D) Thank you. I’ve trained in a few, and hoping to train in several more before I pass on. (Including only formal classes) Canada, China, England, France, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, USA. I think that Karate has opened up not only physical possibilities, but also mental ones.

Some moments really stand out for me though. Doing a demo in the Cango Caves; Kata Sanchin on a junk in the South China sea; Teaching in Iceland. Just so many memories, all thanks to Karate.

Styles and systems: (Note: Many of these were cursory, just training as a short term member.) Kyokushin, Ashihara, Enshin, Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu, Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Judo, , Aikido, Sambo, JJJ, BJJ, Silat, Tukong Moosul, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, Sanshou, Boxing, Kickboxing, Fencing, Okinawan Kobudo (Matayoshi lineage), Escrima, Zulu Stickfighting and a variety of other smaller exposures.

I have many stories, most involving some sort of injury or drinking episode. Actually, those are not always exclusive! Most should probably stay out of print, ‘cause they might lead some to think ill of us Karate types…..

[Dent]

Part 3

H) Did getting married make you consider the consequences of injury more, has it affected your karate journey...or is it the place to take out any frustrations of married life? We all have them!!!

D) It has certainly had a massive influence on the journey, but Karate is part of my life, and not my life. I do get reminded of my responsibilities more often now, but my wife is very supportive of what amounts to a pretty intrusive activity. Oh, and I did have to give up rugby last year, and I wasn’t very happy about that at all! I did meet my wife thanks to Karate, and we had our first date in Paris, also thanks to Karate! So Mrs Dent can’t knock it too much.

H) I understand you have children training in a knockdown style, when they "come of age" to fight, how will you and Mrs Dent feel when they start fighting knockdown? By this I mean what will be your concerns, worries as parents.....pride that they have achieved the ability, worried that they could get hurt? etc. etc.

D) First and foremost, any decision to compete must be theirs. Competition has to be a choice, because otherwise the workload would likely make them resentful. My son has actively grappled for a couple of years, and has competed in Judo a few times. Both of the older ones have played competitive soccer too, so we’ve dealt with bumps, bruises and even trips to the emergency care. As far as wins and losses go, that’s part of life, and good lessons can be learned on the mat as well as in the run up to stepping onto it.

H) I hope you don`t mind me saying so but without doubt you are the forum joker. Are you a prankster in the dojo, do you try and inject a bit of humour in your teachings?

D) I don’t know about being the Forum joker, but I don’t see any reason to be miserable if we can help it. Karate is a joyful activity, and we’re all really privileged to be able to train. When it’s time to be serious, I’m serious, but when it isn’t necessary… After all, no one gets out of life alive.

As far as pranks go, I’ve played a few, even in the Dojo. Mostly fairly harmless, like loosening the Makiwara base just before class, using white duct tape to close up someone’s pants, or swapping out someone’s gear so they have two left gloves, that sort of thing. And as far as humor in teaching, well, I like to think so, but I don’t doubt that some would say that I should stick to my day job and avoid stand up as a way to earn a crust.

H) Does emotion ever enter your fighting?

D) Sparring is a happy time, even when it gets a little heated. Tournaments are different though. I find myself very neutral there. I think it’s best to use the energy to focus on fighting, and not for anything else.

H) What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in karate?

D) I’m still training. Day after day. That’s all that matters. I’ve done a few things that were good at the time, but yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t here yet.

H) What is your worst moment?

D) Karate related? Much the same as the rest of life. Hearing about the deaths of old training partners and friends or students. In spite of the jokes, I’m not the oldest Forum member, and it’s still a shock to me each time I hear of someone I was close to passing away. We’re each here for such a short time, and we have so much to learn and to share. Losing people is a reminder of what is important in life, and I believe that is to live with cause.

H) What injuries have you had?

D) What haven’t I had?! Multiple broken bones; multiple dislocations; various tendon, ligament, cartilage and muscle tears; an assortment of lacerations and enough concussions that I should probably be more careful than I am, but can’t remember why…

[Dent]

Part 4 (And congratulations if you've made it this far without falling asleep!)

H) What advice would you give a novice?

D) I’m no sage, so take it for the two cents it’s worth. “The Martial Way isn’t a race. It’s a lifetime endeavor, and the only battles you have to win are with yourself.”

H) What advice would you give to your fellow instructors?

D) I’m not senior enough to give advice to other instructors, but if I have anything to say, it would be, “Don’t stop your own training. Put your training first, so as to stay true to your reasons for teaching.”

H) Tell us about your dojo in New Jersey and your life there?

D) Well, New Jersey is still fairly new to me, and I find it a strange mix of cultures and people. Strange because so many seem so fearful, and I don’t know why. For a look at New Jersey, you wouldn’t go far wrong by pulling up some of the You Tube clips on the State. Enough there to make anyone sane shake their head in disbelief.

I’ve been working on that Dojo for so long now, I wouldn’t wonder if you all thought it was all made up. I’d like to announce its opening though. I’ve even taken some pictures to post on K4L.

It’s a private Dojo, so I’m going to be able to teach the way I want to. Fees will be enough to cover our costs, but because we’re being heavily subsidized we’re going to be able to avoid a lot of the issues that the commercial schools have to contend with.

H) Have you got a "local" pub, if so, what sort of people frequent it? (For me, if I ever get to NJ!)

D) Sadly (?) not. The people in this area have a very compartmentalized way of doing things, and don’t seem to socialize the way I’m used to. There’s supposed to be a decent micro-brewery down in Princeton, but I’m not one to go drinking on my own. I guess I’ll have to explore it a bit, but my visitors so far seem to be a very quiet lot, with several who have chosen to abstain from any alcohol at all. Personally, I suspect that they may be nervous with the basement Dojo so close by.

H) Ever made a complete fool of yourself?

D) Ever meet anyone who hasn’t? Oh, let me count the ways… (This section got some heavy editing. Repeating the stories wouldn’t help my case for sainthood…) Funny how the light ones have to do with women, and the heavy ones have to do with ego though. There must be a lesson in there.

H) You have many friends on the Forum, do you ever envisage making the trip over for the British Open now the exchange rate/flights have gone in your favour?

D) I can’t wait to come back to the UK again. I’ve got save up fairly carefully though. Local costs being what they are, I’ve got some serious financial obligations on the home front. I’m hoping to take it as a Dojo expense though, as I’m not just going to the comp, but also planning on visiting a number of my K4L friends. I need the swift kick in the rear that training over there is sure to provide!

H) Have you got a message to the world of karate and to the K4L members who see you as a "joking wise owl"?

D) Thank you all for all your contributions and your positive attitudes. No one can train in a vacuum, and knowing that others love to train is often the best motivation to keep on going. K4L gives me 24 hours of someone training somewhere in the world. That’s one heck of a feeling!

Hopefully I’ll get to meet more of you as the years pass, and I hope that you’ll stop by and visit whenever you’re in the area!

H) May I say how much we enjoy your humour and knowledge and thank you very much for being the next victim!... A big OSU! from all of us!!!!!!!

D) Many thanks, H! It’s great to be around people who value Karate as more than just punching and kicking. I believe we are more than the sum of our parts, and K4L reinforces that belief for me. Thank you All!

Osu!
__________________

[vapor]

OSU!!!

vapor

[Kansetsu]

OSU!

DANG! i'll finish this later on...i gotta head out to my own training...

OSU!!!

[smoothsake]

Good read, and yes I admit I have called BS on occasion regarding this NJ/basement dojo. Can't way to see some pictures. Osu!

[KvW]

Osu!
Thanks guys. Very entertaining. Zulu stick fighting hey? Cool

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by KvW

Osu!
Thanks guys. Very entertaining. Zulu stick fighting hey? Cool

I used to live in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and was very interested in all the local weaponry. Let me assure those of you not from the area. Everything from the Knopkerrie to the Assegai work. And not in a distant past kind of way either.

Oh, and when it comes to a thrusting Mae Geri, there's nothing that needs to be taught to the man who showed me how it's done. I think I've still got a few of his footprints on me!

Osu!

[vapor]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Good read, and yes I admit I have called BS on occasion regarding this NJ/basement dojo. Can't way to see some pictures. Osu!

The basement dojo exists!! I have left sweat on the mats...!!!
The new dojo is real too!!! I got the VIP tour on a cold and windy evening!!

vapor

[KvW]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!



I used to live in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and was very interested in all the local weaponry. Let me assure those of you not from the area. Everything from the Knopkerrie to the Assegai work. And not in a distant past kind of way either.

Oh, and when it comes to a thrusting Mae Geri, there's nothing that needs to be taught to the man who showed me how it's done. I think I've still got a few of his footprints on me!

Osu!

Stunningly beautiful area. And yes, those weapons certainly do work. I've had first had experience of stitching up people who got on the wrong end of them

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Good read, and yes I admit I have called BS on occasion regarding this NJ/basement dojo. Can't way to see some pictures. Osu!

I think we had a couple from the basement posted a while ago. Next set will be from the new one!

Originally Posted by vapor

The basement dojo exists!! I have left sweat on the mats...!!!
The new dojo is real too!!! I got the VIP tour on a cold and windy evening!!

vapor

Looking forward to your return, Vapor. It looks a little different now. At least on the inside!

Originally Posted by KvW

I've had first had experience of stitching up people who got on the wrong end of them

Ever work in Natal, KvW? I spent a bit of time in hospitals there, but I suspect it was before your time in uniform.

Osu!

[KvW]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!


Ever work in Natal, KvW? I spent a bit of time in hospitals there, but I suspect it was before your time in uniform.

Osu!

Oh, I don't know about before my time. I'm knocking on a bit myself. I was at Addington from '95 to '97 then went back to Vryheid until '99.

Osu!

[Nix]

Osu!

Thank you very much, Dent! I enjoyed reading it very much. I knew you were well travelled, but I didn't know you were that well travelled - maybe you can even rival vapor! Amazing stuff!

And also a great thank you to mr. H, for making it possible!

Osu!

[meguro]

Osu! A fascinating journey, Dent, and a bit more to come I'm sure. Thank you for sharing.

Must remedy that NJ pub situation.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by KvW

Oh, I don't know about before my time. I'm knocking on a bit myself. I was at Addington from '95 to '97 then went back to Vryheid until '99.

Ouch. Yes, that was well after I'd already left SA, so I'm sure you are a sprightly young character!

Originally Posted by Nix

Osu!

Thank you very much, Dent! I enjoyed reading it very much. I knew you were well travelled, but I didn't know you were that well travelled - maybe you can even rival vapor! Amazing stuff!

And also a great thank you to mr. H, for making it possible!

Osu!

Thank you kindly, Nix!

I'm looking forward to a laundry list of members to be grilled in a similar fashion, yourself included!

Osu!

[StarKodama]

Wow, thanks for that! Very interesting!

Here's MY question for Dent-san-- who is that in your avatar? Your son?

[sandman]

Osu! Thanks Dent! Its great to get a little glimpse into what makes you tick....

...and thank you Mr H for doing the interviewing.

Osu! Dent

Really interesting mate.

Be sure to drop by when you come to the UK, I'll enjoy meeting you!

Gary

[Bloke]

Good Stuff Dent