Long ago in
pre-history when I was a yellow belt in Isshinryu at Tom Lewis' Isshinryu
Karate Club in Salisbury Maryland, I was asked to help in a demonstration with
the Self Defense techniques. I was to be the attacker, and Kathy, a younger
green belt, was to be the object of my unwanted attentions.
Everybody knows
the story. I do something and then go splat.
One Tuesday
night, two men came to the dojo and asked to watch a class. Next to Sensei
Lewis office there was a bench for potential students to do just that. They
watched through the warm-up and opening drills. Then class split into kumite
(free-sparring) practice, and Kathy and I moved off to the side to work on our
demonstration.
I remember
specifically drilling on our closing movement. I approach her from the side and
place my arm around her shoulders. Whatever her response I end on the floor on
my hands and knees. My right hand was clutching my left ribs, because she was
then to do an instep front kick into my ribs (on my hand) and then follow up
with a quick sweep of my left hand causing me to finish by falling face first
onto the floor.
Practice makes
perfect, right?
While all this
was happening, the two visitors were starting to become obnoxious. Perhaps
their nature, or perhaps assisted by a few brews, they began to speak loudly
between each other about how much tougher they were.
The instructors
were trying do decide on an appropriate response to their behavior when our
demonstration went live.
I grabbed Kathy
and of course next I was on the floor holding my side. She nailed my hand with
her instep kick, nice and hard with a loud 'Thwack', but when she followed with
the sweep of my hand she missed. Instead of sweeping, he foot traveled up
underneath my armpit and she nailed my nose with her instep.
I remember
reaching up with my hand and it coming away bloody. Now this was not an
uncommon experience for me in those days learning how to fight. Safety gear had
just come out and most of the time we didn't use it, and everyone simply
accepted mistakes happened.
In this instance
two black belts rushed up to me (where I was on the floor) and Dennis Lockwood
knelt down and whispered in my ear, "Victor, don't do anything."
The next thing I
knew was they grabbed my feet and drug me across the dojo floor, leaving a
trail of blood behind me.
I was pulled out
the door, and both of them helped me to my feet brushing me off.
Dennis told me,
"Wait here a moment, I have to go inside." And he left me with the
other Black Belt to attend me.
He marched
inside and walked up to the two visitors.
"Gentlemen,
we have an opening in our class for a new student, would one of you wish to
join."
It was
interesting to note how pale they looked as they quickly left the dojo.
With much
laughter my instructors helped me to the bathroom to clean up the mess.
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