It is a highly effective means of developing both mental discipline and pragmatic self-protection capabilities. Karate originated as a method of self-defence and, I believe, it should be taught as such,''he says. A lot of students are lulled into a false sense of security simply because they are training in karate club. The realities of street confrontation are often ignored. Karate is also, he stresses, a route to self-discipline and control.
Uncontrolled anger is the enemy of the martial artist.
By profession a dental technician, he applies a rich mix of practical experience and sound philosophy to this most abuse of the martial arts. And, believe me, the detractors far exceed the advocates when it comes to karate. He began his long and illustrious karate career under the tutelage of John McSweeney in 1962.Mcsweeney had just arrived in Ireland to study for a degree in Economic Geography at Trinity College, Dublin, and had immediately set about creating and launching the Irish Karate Association. Tommy Jordan, who had daddled tentatively at Judo, became a very early and very enthusiastic student of Kenpo style, which McSweeney taught. I suppose you could say I was a bit fanatical,'' he offers, as he recounts those long, strenuous training sessions.