Karate vs Terrorism

Over the years students have often asked me why I teach an art-based skill rather than only self-defense. I usually reply that barring an unexpected incident; the focus of your training in martial arts should be on fitness, self-development, camaraderie, and the joy of developing your skill. Nevertheless, should a situation arise in which you would need to defend yourself, the effectiveness of your training will be the deciding factor. Given the recent terrorist attacks however, I have reflected of my own abilities and how I would act if confronted by a terrorist. On September 11th, it appears that some were forced to put their training to the ultimate test.
There is strong evidence to suggest that passengers on United flight # 93 put up strong resistance foiling the ultimate goals of the highjackers. One passenger (Glick) known to have resisted was an NCCA judo champion. Another passenger was an officer in the Israeli Army. Whatever transpired on that flight my never be known, but all were tested in a way I pray none of us ever have to face.
Another incident that has made me reevaluate my training happened a few years ago to a good friend of mine, Dave Leventhal, a long time judoka and owner of Cecil’s Deli in St. Paul. After withdrawing money from an ATM one night, he was approached by a man who demanded the cash at gunpoint. Dave, in an amazing moment of calm, said that he thought the gun was a fake. As the crook began to fire, Dave sidestepped and brought him down with a forearm strike to the neck. Unfortunately, Dave’s wife, who was standing behind him, was struck in the hand by a ricocheting chip of concrete. She was injured, but not severely. Dave held the man down until police arrived. At first chastised by police for his actions, he ultimately received a commendation for bravery from the St. Paul Police.
In the final analysis, martial arts should prepare you to protect, disarm, or kill if needed. I will continue to center my own training on the art of karate, but I will also be putting more emphasis on strike force and real-world applications as well. If our style is determined to eliminate all sparring or hard-contact training, then we will have to work that much harder to include drills and methods that will keep us effective and lethal when necessary. I do not say that combat-style training is superior to kata-based training; it is just that when the unthinkable becomes a reality, you may need it to survive.

These are my thoughts in the aftermath of the great tragedy to our nation. I hope this has been of some help to you in your training.

James Noah
October 2001