My week in Martial Arts: July 31st to Aug 4th

This week Lun and I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Karl Tanswell’s Straight Blast gym

We practiced a counter against a guard position and it was quite an interesting lesson. At the end of it Karl got his most senior guys to see if we can counter their guards and also there was a sparring exhibition in the end where Karl would call out 2 people to roll and see who would win via submission. It was good to experience another Martial Art and to finally start.


As my brother and I walked out of the gym we noticed a very tall guy walking into the gym area in his street clothes. The man looked so familiar yet I couldn’t place his face initially. I had a think about who he was “Damn I am sure I have seen him before” Then it hit me! Matt Thornton! My brother who didn’t recognise him until I told him told me he was watching the whole time too…pity we didn’t look great because it was only our second lesson in just under a year. It was also a shame we couldn’t make his seminar.

Wednesday Lun and I returned to Karl Tanswell’s Straight Blast gym and we did stand up fighting, jab crosses and knees, it was a great lesson very energetic and lots of focus on technique.


Friday we did Warriors Eskrima class. William came down as well and rather than splitting the class we decided to let him join in the rest of the guys so Simon took the full reign of the class that included Paul and Ray. It was a great lesson; we did some hubud drills, stick sparring and circuit training that was devised by Lun.

Hopefully we will make the Steve Powell’s JKD Class next week.


I am enjoying my hours outside of work more than ever now spending time with my family, friends and last but not least my Girlfriend! Going to different places each week, practicing Martial Arts etc, I live for the weekends and what happens after work…..but one thing I will always remember is what Rick Faye once said about trying to live for more than 2 days a week and try and do something you can enjoy so you can live for 7. In that I still strive for….
Enjoy the great pics from footage filmed by Elaine(thank you!!!)and thanks for reading
Kit