The Tenets of Martial Arts – by Sensei Niall Wright

As featured in the May 2007 FSKD Ireland Newsletter

What are the tenets of Martial arts? To me as the Chief Instructor, it is important that all my students demonstrate and retain the following elements:

 

1.      Loyalty

2.      Respect

3.      Faith

4.      Belief

5.      Confidence

6.      Determination

7.      Spirit

8.      Endeavour

9.      Perseverance

10.  Decorum

11.  Initiative

AND MORE…

 

A boy of 13 came to me one day with his mother. His mum said to me “I would like my son to do karate. He is shy and doesn’t do much sport. I would like to see him with a bit more interaction with other people and to get out more.” The boy was very shy. He always had his head down, afraid to look up, and he went red (blushed) when I spoke to him, and got very embarrassed. He was an extremely self-conscious person.

 

He attended every week and had tremendous loyalty. He trained very hard, always with 110% effort and never gave up. He showed both a strong spirit and determination always. He never used the forbidden words Cant, Wont, Don’t …

 

I know he had a hard time in school, as he suffered from skin problems etc… I knew that people bullied him, called him stupid and weird for doing martial arts, and had explained to him time after time how these people are either jealous of him, or just not nice people in general, and their opinion was not to be valued. I knew he had been challenged on more than one occasion to prove his worth as a martial artist. One kid in his class actually put out a cigarette on his arm. But this boy kept his composure.

 

He began to hold his head higher, and interact more through the Martial Arts Circles. He even started going to discos!

 

When secondary school finished for this boy, I knew he was happy that a new door was opening in his life. Even though he went to study in college in Tralee, he still kept up his training travelling a round trip of 150 mile a week just to train with his sensei. He be came a very confidant, very respectful, and a great ambassador for martial arts and for FSKD. He was always the first to offer help when ever he could, and still is.

He went for his black belt while still in collage and studying for his degree in software engineering. This is no mean feat! Most black belts know that it is essential to train 2 to 3 times a week with your sensei, and even more so on your own. He travelled to Castletownbere, Kenmare and Glengarriff to train with his sensei.  As well as any tournament, and extra training session, seminar, and workshop that was available.

 

We travelled to both national and international tournaments throughout the years, and This boy got great support from his family as always, and his college. This boy was a great competitor, bringing home medals, trophies and a world of experience in victory and defeat. We were all thrilled when he returned from one trip as a world silver medallist. He demonstrated such grace in his defeat, shaking the winner’s hand, and hugging him, and he was jubilant at his own achievement to be the second last standing in a group of 30!

 

While still in college, he asked if he could start his own school. I agreed of course, and he took over a school in Kilgarvan, previously ran by another instructor who had left the area. To say it wasn’t a success would be about right. While he was very upset by his failure, he wanted to succeed again. So he then started to come to my classes, studying my teaching methods. He borrowed all my books, videos and DVDs, and studied hard to become a successful instructor, all while studying for his degree.

 

After graduating with a degree in software engineering, he decided to work for a software engineering company. After persevering in the software engineering industry for his contracted 12 months, he knew his heart was still with martial arts. It was his fiancé Orla, our coordinator, and his father Daniel that confronted him finally and pushed him to follow his heart.

 

He asked me if he could open a fulltime school. He wanted to spread the good work of FSKD Ireland, and to share with others what he had learned, and to help others the way the martial arts, has helped him. Finally he started a smaller Martial Arts group in Killorglin, most of who are still with him today.

 

 

For some one that couldn’t keep his head up and blushed around any person that spoke to him, he has travelled a long way. As his sensei, I can’t tell you how proud I am to call him my student.

 

When I walked in to his dojo 2 weeks ago, and saw it finished, I had a lump in my throat. To think I have made the right impression on one person’s life, and for them to be a success in Martial Arts, makes me feel that what I do is worthwhile.

 

So we should all commend Danilo, I am proud of what you have achieved over the years and long may you have success in your life.        

 

Many student leave karate because their friends don’t think it’s cool, or that it’s too difficult, remember that Danilo also faced this, but he kept coming. He knew that it was the right thing for him to do for him.

 

I know everyone out there has the potential to succeed, if you they take the chance like Danilo did. I know that Martial Arts can help people succeed. I am devoted to seeing everyone coming through my dojo succeed. I am devoted to making a difference. I now have the team I have dreamed of to make this happen.

 

I would like to commend all students who have persevered and there has been quite a few from our schools over the years.

 

 

Pictured Below: Sensei Danilo with Friends, Family and FSKD Members at the opening Day of his new 3000sq ft Dojo in Killarney