To appear in:- Martial Arts Illustrated
Sept 2000
Q.What made you become involved in the Martial Arts?
A.I have always been interested in Martial Arts from an early age but never had the motivation to look for a local club.Quite by chance a Karate club was enrolling close to my home,I persuaded my then Girlfriend (now my Wife)to go as well and we have never looked back since-that was nine years ago!
Q.Who was your first Instructor,and what was his style?
A.Martin Ashton,Wado Ryu.
Q.Who has been most inspirational on your martial arts career?
A.Lots-Alfie Lewis and Pele Reid to name a few,but I gained most inspiration from my Instructor and friend Martin Ashton.
Q.What essentially is the style that you practice?
A.Freestyle Sport Karate.
Q.How has it evolved in your opinion?
A.I think that the sport is more competitive now and is gaining more recognition and respect as a Freestyle art rather than Tradional.
Q.As an Instructor you see Students develop all the time.What would you say is the most rewarding?
A.I find every lesson rewarding as I see my Students self confidence increase greatlty,and I gain satisfaction from seeing them progress and instilling respect into their lives.
Q,David,how do you view failure?
A.I think that you never fail,you just learn from your mistakes and try to improve until you reach your goal.
Q.You’ve had a competitive career,would you like to insight the readers about it?
A.When I first started competing in the martial arts circuit it was a close knit association so I was always going up against the same fighters,I then started to travel further afield to gain greater experience from other fighters.I then became aware of Freestyle and began to implement techniques learnt from other fighters.I entered and won the National championships,within my association,then was selected to represent England in the US Open World Championships held in Orlando,Florida.Which was a great learning experience for me.
Q.What is the hardest thing that you have had to do in the Martial Arts?
A.Doing this interview!Seriously I have to say it was taking my 1st Dan-I was nervous as hell!
Q.Did you have any heroes,people you looked up to in your early Martial Arts involvement?
A.I suppose that at the time my Instructor was the one that I respected the most,as he was sharing his knowledge with me.
Q.Do you have any major gripes,moans or worries about the combat arts?
A.I would like for all Martial Artists to gain the recognition they deserve I think the sport should be televised,etc.Also I have learnt that if you want to leave an organisation to seek more knowledge,or to start your own club,you don’t deserve to be shunned and bad mouthed.
Q.Have you ever had to test your skills in a real self defence situation?
A.Yes,once.
Q.In retrospect,how do you see public relations within the Martial Arts,in short do ‘Joe Public’See us in a good or bad light now?
A.I think on the whole we are seen in a good light,but people still typecast Martial Artists portrayed as breaking breeze blocks and roof tiles with our heads!They do not appreciate the many different art forms on offer.
Q.Where would you like to see the Martial Arts go in it’s progression?
A.I would like to see a lot more coverage,not only on t.v but also in the Olympic/Commonwealth Games-not only traditional but the freestyle art.
Q.What other styles have you practiced or been involved with
A.Wado Ryu,Kickboxing,Ju-jitsu,Aikido and of course Freestyle Karate.
Q.If their was one thing you could change about the Martial Arts what would that be?
A.To take away the Politics within martial arts,so that everyone could have an open mind and work together as a whole.
Q.In competition who was your toughest opponent?
A.This was the guy I fought during the World Championships,but unfortunately I do not know his name,I only know that he was Italian!
Q.Who was the cleverest?
A.That would be Adrian Dalby-who was from my old association,he always seemed to read what his opponent was going to execute and was a good all round fighter-I have a lot of respect for him.
Q.David,what would you like to be remembered for?
A.Being a good and fair Instructor,and to be a person that was willing to learn from everyone no matter what.And being a good father to my two children!and a good Husband.