I have since the first time I saw Bruce Lee as Kato kicking ass on TV.
Then there was "Enter the Dragon"!
Of course Bruce Lee was gone before we all really got to know who he was and what his story was all about. Too bad, I would love to have seen his career over a 25 year span. Then of course there was "Billy Jack". I saw that movie time after time, thinking back then that Tom Laughlin actually knew how to fight like that. Turns out it was a 6th degree Hapkido Master named, Bong Soo Han.
In the 80's and 90's there was Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal, Jackie Chan and Jet Li! I was so struck with the techniques by Segal, I started practicing Aikido several years ago. I am now working on my 2nd Dan. Then I had an opportunity to go to a seminar put on by Grand Master John Pelligrini of Combat Hapkido. I am about to finally test for my Black Belt in Combat Hapkido in two weeks. That's where the injury part comes in.
As a 53 year old martial artist I have many aches and pains from being so active. I also have a job that requires allot of driving and heavy lifting so that keeps me visiting the chiropractor weekly. Lately I have hurt my back pretty bad and my knee keeps acting up as well. I have had an injured wrist the past two weeks and I have chronic neck and shoulder pain. I keep the cabinets stocked with advil and I have an ice pack at the ready 24/7. Does this sound like you??
The price you pay as an aged martial artist is a painful one but at this point I am still willing to suffer the slings and arrows for the love of the arts..
Here's to all you men and women who continue to train into your later years!
By the way my diet is working, I was down to 169 as of yesterday afternoon. Only 4 more pounds to go to reach my goal...
Peace
Prepared, Educated, Alert, Controlled and Engaged
JD
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