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Introduction
In May 2006 David Owen passed his 4th Kyu (yellow belt) grading. Not an unremarkable feat for someone who has been training for around 6 months, except that David was 62 when he joined us and was our oldest beginner. In November 2006 he passed his green belt and despite suffering a minor stroke! in August 2007 he passed his Blue belt in November 2007. August 2008 saw him pass yet another milestone by successfully passing his Brown Belt grading.
He is a prime example of how age is no barrier to learning Shorinji Kempo and is an inspiration to us all. There is no such thing as as being to old.
David's story
My name is David, I'm now 62 - 63 on 19th September 2006.
In 2004 I had a heart attack, you think 'that's it I'm finished!'. For good measure my heart attack was on my birthday and I was working in a funeral parlour in the chapel of rest, you couldn't make it up, unreal. On top of this my marriage had broken up after 20 years and I was suffering a lot of stress, heart ache and depression.
The hospital people said I must exercise, so I go to the hospital heart club gym for organised training. But it gets boring doing the same thing over and over again.
So I looked for something different, but I didn't think of martial arts. I play a little golf and David (the club barman, 1st Dan in Kung fu) said he'd heard of Shorinji Kempo, a thinking mans martial art. So I went down to the Littledown Centre to get some information. My luck was in, it was Monday Shorinji Kempo night.
I introduced myself to Sensei Russ Jenkins and asked if I may watch. I was welcomed with open arms and the atmosphere was wonderful and so friendly. Just about everyone came and spoke to me, I felt like a member already, I was smitten.
August 2008 - Going for Brown Belt
Friday, day 1: Travel up with the "Late" (no he's not dead he's just late!) James Maddock and Chuckie. We get lost, seems to be the norm for finding Shorinji Kempo events.
We get changed, I feel nervous, lots of fit-looking Kenshi in the Dojo. I am overwhelmed with the atmosphere, Shogo, we line up, find the warm-up tough for me, knee hurts, back aches, think "what am I doing..." the old bones scream and I scream back. So we go into techniques and I cannot think or move, having a terrible attack of nerves and thinking everyone looks great, first time I felt old, it worried me! Nicky (Bournemouth club captain) and Sensei Adrian talk to me to calm me down, and I get through the session but don't feel good.
Friday evening, after a 'fantastic' meal in the dining hall (something of an exaggeration! As those who went to camp would realise) we go down to the pub, almost getting run over on the way. Great night, Ian Hart was in great form!!
Saturday, "grading day"... Go down for breakfast, boiled egg, greasy bacon, cold beans and 'un-tosted' toast, about as good as the previous nights dinner! Go for training... It all goes well, feel better.
Lunch. Best forgotten. Back for warm-up. Then off to the grading room. Sensei Chris Lloyd takes the grading. Sensei Russ Jenkins is watching, it makes me nervouse! Want to do well so not to let him down! We start .. I think I've make a mess of the first four of five techniques. I look at Dave Paine, who stood in as my partner, he looks at me in the calm way he does and helps me settle down.
The other two graders Charlie and Steff (lovely girls) both look great and confident.
I fight the nerves, we do umpoho (foot movement), Katas and finally we get to the embu. "I think this had better be good", what happened next was great for me, I felt good when we started, so good I even slowed it down a little. I was enjoying myself, Dave said it was best yet! So, Goho and Juho Randori, Sensei Chris says "You don't have to do this at your age" My age???!!!....Yes I do, Sensei. I think I enjoyed this more than anything. Then it was over, I think it's fifty fifty, but hey, I can take it again if necessary.
Sunday. Can't do the morning session I am in agony with my knee and back, so rest for the afternoon session and closing ceremony.
Sunday PM. Philosophy with Sensei Russ and Sensei Mizuno. We finally reach the closing ceremony.
The closing ceremony, the tension was great for us graders, we wanted to know!!!. Sensei Mizuno closes camp. "They are not going to put us out of our misery". Sensei Russ steps forward and says "We will give passes to everybody today...except Bournemouth!!" We think somebody hasn't passed!!! My heart pounds, then Sensei Russ says.."We'll tell them they've passed tomorrow!!" We all laugh!! But hey... for a minute!
My grateful thanks, once more, to Bournemouth, Poole and Southampton University Dojo's who put up with these old bones, special thanks to Sensei Russ, Sensei Peter and my verbal friend Sensei Adie. Also to Dave Paine fo help and patience.
Shodan? Who knows... Time will tell!!
David Owen