Totally enjoyed reading this thread. Brings back real good memories. Thanks Art.
Time flies. It is really the good memories and the believe (yes, illusion) that I can still do it that keep me going at it still.
I have always been sort of a loner so regretfully didn't associate much with Art and Van and Jim Maloney at the time. Glad that we are all still healthy and continuing with our Uechi Ryu practice, and just as "mean" and of course, as handsome as ever.
Speaking of memories, for a while I was teaching the Sunday morning 10am sparring class back in the Columbus Ave dojo (or was it the one after Columbus?). Must have been more than 45 years ago (I received my Shodan in early 1967).
I remember the Madison Square Garden tournament too. I forgot what rank I was at the time. I almost had my head taken off by this flying side kick from a black guy and got eliminated early in the tournament. Will always remember the crazy party we had that night though. Nev Kimbell was there too so need I say more? I can't go into more specifics because the wife might read this.
I told a story on Face Book of Windsong and I went there (or was it another tournament?) with several Mattson Academy guys in one car. He went home with a trophy--- and the car pool forgot to give him a ride back to Boston. We thought it was funny but he didn't. Still mad at me. Get over it Windsong, you got a trophy
I remember once again I almost had my head taken off in a tournament. In Rhode Island, I believe. The one which Walter Mattson slam his side kick into his opponent's chest so loud that I was surprised that the guy didn't collapse. Yes, I almost had my head taken off by a full power high round house kick. He accidentally missed by an inch. Thank god. He outpointed me anyway.
I wished I had "hang around" with you guys more in those days since we had the same interest. I went to quite a few tournaments because back in those days, I sort of like fighting and got into many street altercations due mostly to a lack of common sense. Every time I went to a tournament I learned something so it didn't matter if I didn't win.
We need to get together over a few beers and reminisce the old days--- the fish that got away (yea and the women too), and whatever----
Got to go rub some of that Dit-Da-Jiu on my knees now. It seems that I hurt something every time I work out nowadays.