Age is no barrier to excelling in karate as Tamborine Mountain locals Michael (surname withheld), 58 and Jazz (surname withheld), 13 prove.
The two have just passed tough gradings on the Gold Coast.
Michael has been training for just over two years and this is second grading, orange belt with a stripe, which is the rank of ninth kyu.
“I’d never done martial arts before, so it took me a bit longer to settle in,” he said.
Having had an interest in it since his 20s at the age of 56 he began to realise a loss in his flexibility and an ad for the school spurred him on to give it a go.
“Cameron said, ‘look at me, I’m 63, if I can do it, you can do it’.
“My flexibility has not only increased but I’m more flexible than I’ve ever been. Karate to me is like meditation. My mind is completely focused on what I am doing,” Michael explained.
“When I leave, I’m completely relaxed.”
Michael said getting his second grading was a great experience which tested his limits, pushing his physical and technical skills.
Jazz, who is a year nine student at Tamborine Mountain State High School, has also been practicing for two years and passed her eighth kyu in her fifth grading.
“It’s great for my fitness and discipline and I feel more confident,” she said.
Cameron Quinn chief instructor at Tamborine Mountain Martial Arts has been running classes at the Show Grounds since 2015.
“I don’t push the grades but rather the quality, but Jazz just wanted to do it and she has really come out of her shell. She really hung in there on the day,” he said.
“Michael was the oldest by a long way and sparring with guys 20-30 years younger but was so courageous.”
The Shihan is a black belt seventh dan and has been practicing karate for 53 years. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu and teaches classes in that too.
“Kyokushin is the style, which is very hard. It has a transforming effect on people’s lives,” Cameron said.
One of the key aspects of the classes is to build mental strength and stamina which empowers people and develops discipline they can utilise in all areas of life.
“They start off with no contact and go on to learn to hit hard without it worrying them,” he said.
Cameron said he was extremely proud of the changes he has seen in them and their determination to turn up to class and work hard.
Training is on Tuesdays and Fridays, but it hoped they will move to new premises shortly and offer classes every day.
TMMA can be contacted at www.budokarate.com or on: 0433633775
