Tae Kwon Do

I seemed to be falling into ever smaller circles and falling back to my roots.

When I was quite young I was into Tae Kwon do. I followed this sport for many years and loved being part of it. Tho there were many days I hated it. Much thanks to my parents persistence in getting me there on time and picking me up afterward.

The only regret is that I was not clearer in mind or offered an overview of the sport the tradition or the philosophy of it all. But hey, I was 12... what can ya do...

A life long thanks to Wayne O'Donovan, my teacher for many years. Wayne was a purist, quite the inspiration for a young boy of 12. He was a great teacher and rippled with self discipline and inner strength and a quick right round house. Sadly Wayne hated me. Sometimes in life there are just people you rub the wrong way just by existing, and poor Wayne was afflicted with me.

I was a big kid. No doubt about it and this extra height and weight put me into the senior classes quite quickly. I was happy for this as I needed a challenge. Looking back now I was never the violent or aggressive type. I was however a heavy kicker, not necessarily on purpose but I could take a good kick or 7 in a sparring match and never held a grudge after.

Sadly I gave up on Tae Kwon Do, I could have and should have taken it much further. But as I said at the top - I am finding myself returning to thing things of my childhood and I think I will start to look at Tae Kwon Do again. If only to finish it and attain a black belt which I was only 3 months away from. But it is much more than that. Wayne, you will never read this but I offer my sincere thanks for your guidance and tolerance of me. I did learn a lot and it will always be grateful to you.

My chances of finding a Tae Kwon do instructor in this isolated part of Poland are slim to none but it will happen eventually...

Obi -Do - the art of 'almosts'