Drove down to Fort Worth the other day for a visit. Among the things I am doing while here, one was to get together with some karate people who have been my instructors and mentors for years. They surprised me yesterday with this. Chief Instructor signature is the gentleman in the black top. I worked for him in the 90s teaching and managing his school. The Examiner signature is the other gentleman in the photo. He was one of my instructors since 1985 who became one of my best friends and co-instructors when he was teaching with me at Dan's school in Fort Worth in the mid to late 1990s. Dan doesn't teach full time any longer and said he only dons a gi for special occasions. I was honored he felt this qualified as such. Had to really crop down the pic of the certificate to meet the 2 MB limit. Also wasn't really sure where to post this, but this seemed pretty good.
Yes congratulations. And you know he could whip up on both of you at once while signing another certificate.
Yes. Back in the 90s we used to go to tournaments in a league. Occasionally, Dan would decide to compete. Cold. No training or prep. He would always win Grand Champion, and he would do it in very flashy style. Incredible fighter. I reminded them yesterday he is only one of 2 people who ever knocked me out. A very quick video here of Dan fighting a much bigger man, Guy Mezger. This was in 1990. You can see Dan's quickness and showmanship and incredible technique. He is in the black gi.
Yes, congratulations HIC!!! HIC has another surprise in Fort Worth for you that he will post about later!
Yes, and it is hard to tell from that clip, but Guy has about 5 inches of height and 50 pounds on Danny. A very good fighter himself, Guy Mezger.
Well, what do ya know? I found the whole fight. Never found it until now. Not sure who won, it was a continuous fighting point match.
Just kidding, HIC. That is really cool! Thanks for sharing. I love this kind of personal stuff. Congrats
HIC... I was just telling my wife the other day, "I've been really into oriental things a lot lately...yeah ever since we watched that Kungfu movie. I want to know a little more about their medicine, maybe acupuncture, various meditative practice, etc. I dont' know maybe I'll take karate or something... ...or at least go get some Chinese food. "
Thanks! Like I said, total surprise but an honor from those guys. Going to get J. Pat Burleson's signature as well. His signature is on my 5th. A little bit about him from the school I work out at up here. I met the owner of these schools in 1991 in Minneapolis. https://www.chicagonk.com/interview-martial-arts-icon/
Finally able to get Grandmaster Burleson's signature yesterday at his 85th birthday party in Azle. Also saw Troy Dorsey and a bunch of other longtime karate greats. Troy was at my 1st degree test and is a legend in the kickboxing and boxing worlds.
Sad day for me. Found out my friend Derrick, pictured on the right in the first post, passed away yesterday.
HIC, Just saw this thread. Really sorry to hear about your friend. Hope all the great memories provides some relief to the loss.
