Wim posted this today on his blog, which reminded me of a story. Seems about 22 years ago I was a hottie! I had trained in TKD and karate and I worked out all the time. I had done some competition and had had some successes.
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I was at a tournament in Biloxi - and I was a green belt. They put me in a ring with a kung fu guy wearing the cool-looking black and white sleeveless kung fu suit with the frog buttons and a gold sash (don't have a clue what that gold sash signifies). Anyway, I was in the zone and they called go and I took a step in. My strategy in those days was to control the center of the ring so I'd have more space to move and I could force the opponent to work the edges and maybe take a penalty or two. Anyway, I stepped in and took control of the center of the ring...
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And dude put a spinning hook kick on my temple and knocked me silly. Stars and fireworks and everything! I was astounded because the guys I'd been working out with, both karate and TKD, weren't able to do a good spinning hook until purple or brown belt. I dragged myself back to the starting line, sure that this was going to be a long, hard time with me getting my butt kicked.
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The referree called go again, and I stepped in and dude threw another spinning hook that whooshed past my face barely missing me as I beat a hasty retreat. Then I got an idea! I stepped in, almost to his kick range, and whoosh! Another spinning hook kick. I stepped back, and then stepped at him and whoosh! Another spinning hook.
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It's literally the only technique this nutjob knew how to do!
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Needless to say, after I read this guy's playbook, I came back from being 2 points down and humiliated to win the match by a 10-point spread. I hammered him with reverse punches in the ribs and kidneys every time that hook kick whooshed past me. I got a dozen reverse punches in on this guy during the time limit.
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So, all this is not to say that Kung Fu guys suck just because that one did. I'd say that Wim has some pretty good commentary - especially about versatility over at his blog - go check it out.
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Patrick Parker is a Christian, husband, father, martial arts teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282 木蓮
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