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 My attraction to the art of Karate began
in 1979 after attending a tournament held at Olympic College. That tournament sparked
a desire that is still with me today. I began classes that year instructed by
Sensei Paul Adamski. Visions of Chuck Norris and
Bruce Lee along with the mesmerizing impression of a kata done perfectly filled
my head. I began Sensei Paul's classes but felt out of place among the long
time students and began to search for what was missing. I found similarity that
I was looking for with the students working out under Sensei George Royce.
Sensei George taught a non-traditional style of Shotokan that had been blended
with Philippine martial arts. The class was new and so were the students. I identified more with these students
and practiced faithfully from 1980 to 1985, when a shoulder injury forced me to
give up karate. My injury eventually required surgery and later, months of
therapy to bring the strength back.
I returned to Sensei George classes to find diminished interest and low
participation. Financial burden soon forced him to move the dojo. There were
only four of us diehards, myself, Kevin O'Neal, Mike Oswald, and Stan Yeadon
remained.
Nearly six months past before I decided to
give Sensei Paul's class another try. The new dojo located in East Bremerton on
Fuson Road across from Skateland opened in 1986. Stan Yeadon had transferred
over to Butokukan style and I attended his purple belt test. I was taken aback
at the improvements he had made. I was very impressed with his Kata and was
challenged competitively to do the same (or better). Stan and I are close
friends and he worked with me five nights a week until Oct of 1986 when I
tested for my green belt in Butokukan Karate. For the first time I could see
myself becoming a Shodan and my spirits were high. I entered competitions and
failed to do as well as I believed I would. My dreams began to slip away. I
spoke with Sensei Paul about my depression and he counseled me on the balance
of mental and physical development. I began to work on meditation and focus. My
kata became more flowing and my concentration more focused. With this new
awareness I began to improve and believe in myself again.
It was during this time that I met people
I could count on and trust as friends like Sensei's Randy
Hunt, Mike Davis, Rob Castro, Jeff Harader, Steve
Harader, Mike Oswald. I was confident enough to test for Brown belt and
achieved my goal once again. My exposure to these people exhilarated my ability
to improve and I tried out for the Washington State Centennial Olympics and
qualified. Due to low attendance Brown Belts were permitted to compete with
the Black Belts and I was defeated but I did not come away a loser. Butokukan
Karate even though a smaller system stood very strong against Shito-Ryu,
Shotokan and Goju Ryu. Butokukan competitors Steve Sultemeier and Margaret
McGregor took home 2 Gold and 2 Silver metals. I came home from this
competition with total focus to do what was necessary to test for and receive
my Black Belt.
 On June 29, 1989, I achieved what I consider
to be one of my greatest honors SENSEI SHANON FOUTCH. Once I had tested and
became a Black Belt I began to assist Sensei Bill Clark with his Junior Karate
class. Later I was joined by my long time friend Sensei Stan Yeadon. This
arrangement was very rewarding for all concerned but times were always
changing. Before I knew it, I
would teach the juniors class independently and enjoy it more than I ever
realized.
I find it extremely rewarding to play a
positive role in a young person life. When I was a young man my parents
divorced after what I thought was a great life. My belief in myself could not
have been as strong had I not had a strong family unit. With more and more
families splitting up the need for positive role models is great and strive to
be the best I can be. I continue to compete in tournaments when time allows and
can be found regularly attending local Butokukan events.
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