Karate, to Tommy Jordan, is more than a ritualistic pot pourri of physical
exercise combined with ludicrously complex self-defence techniques and
beautifully balletic Kate or form movements. 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.
Tommy Jordan, the tall, slim (almost thin) chief instructor of the Irish Karate
Association, does not conform to the archetypal image of the martial arts
practitioner as visualized by the civilian world. 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.
I used to knock off work at six o'clock in the evening and I began training as
soon as I could get to the club at Fitzwilliam Street, the club didn't actually
open up until seven o'clock, but John gave me a key so that I could spend an
hour training on my own. I trained five nights every week and on Saturday
afternoons.
I can see why he believes he may have been 'a bit fanatical.'as his training
progressed and his knowledge and understanding of this art developed, he began
to realise that his height/weight ratio (very tall, very light) would have to be
utilised in a manner that would cancel, or, at least, minimize the advantage
which a stronger, heavier opponent might enjoy.
This he achieved though a systematic training regime, which taught him to ''use
every ounce of body-weight when punching. He augmented this carefully planned
facility by developing remarkable kicking abilities. In fact, his emphasis on
kicking reached such porortions that John McSweeney was obliged to call him
aside during a training session and advise him against such overdevelopment of
one aspect of his fighting ability.
I used to block punches with my feet and counter with kicking combinations.'' He
grins wistfully as he recalls those early days when Irish Karate was in its
infancy.''McSweeney said I was like a Savate fighter.
Did he ever consider taking up weight lifting with a view to padding out his
spare frame? Yes, I seriously considered taking up weight traning to increase my
body weight and bulk, but I decided against this for fear of losing the speed
and flexibility I had already developed with my punches and kicks.
Did he supplement his basic training with any form of special regime, which
might have yielded a plus factor in area of free fighting?' '' I built up my
knuckles by pounding on plywood over a long period to build up the bones rather
than concentrating on adding welts to my hands.''He is careful to emphasize that
this form of training requires expert tuition and should not be practiced by
unsupervised enthusiasts. Tommy Jordan is a cautious, methodical man.
In 1963 Tommy and John McSweeney were invited to demonstrate karate on the Late
Late Show.with a series of self-defence and breaking techniques, they awakened
the nation to the existence of this almost mythical martial art. The reaction to
this demonstration was, to say the least, phenomenal. Karate in Ireland was
born.
Although he never (as is generally the case with genuine adherents of karate or
with those who actually understand the deep-rooted and time-honored philosophies
on which it is based) laid undue stress on the importance of grades, he was
award his 1st Dan black belt in April, 1965. While a degree of ambiguity
surrounds this segment of karate history, it is almost certain that Tommy Jordan
became the first native karate black belt in Ireland albeit by minutes!
When McSweeney returned to the United States in 1965, Tommy continued to teach
at the Fitzwilliam Street headquarters of the Irish Karate Association. His
fellow-instructors were Maurice Mahon, John Conway and Jim Rice.During this
period, one of their students Ronnie Gurey left Ireland to live in Swindon and
was eventually responsible (if that is the relevant term) for introducing Kenpo
Karate to England.
In 1966, hardly a quantum leap from their modest, unpretentious origins, the
Irish Karate Association sent a team to compete in the United States.When one
hears that the legendary Tae Kwon-Do instructor, Jhoon Rhee, refereed some of
those contests one is forced to admit that the rather tenuous element of
continuity has been maintained by the developed hand and foot pads for use in
full-contract competition (although he initially intended the equipment to used
in non-combat training situations).
On their return from North America, the Irish Karate Association applied for,
and received, recognition and grant aid from the Government. This fact mayhelp
dispel the legend that karate never enjoyed State subsidy. The IKA were, they
hoped on their way; karate was receiving the recognition it so richly deserved!
With a Wado-ryu group in Belfast and a Shotokan body in Dublin, the Irish Karate
Association formed an umbrella organization called the All-Ireland Karate
Federation (AIKF). Under the auspices of this new governing authority, Ireland's
first karate competitions were held in Moran's Hotel, Dublin.
On the subject of competition, Jordan says: ''the only way, at present, to
promote karate is through competition. However, it isn't a great spectator sport
and I can't see it becoming one. The majority of spectators at karate
competitions are practitioners themselves. Unfortunately, the AIKF didn't last
long: Tatsuo Suzuki wouldn't recognise any of the students in Northern Ireland
if they belonged to the AIKF,'' Jordan says with a note of regret.
In 1968 the Irish Karate Association applied for membership of the European
Karate Union (EKU). When they were admitted to membership, they made application
to the emerging World Union of Karate Organizations (WUKO) and were privileged
to become signatories to the formation of the authority.
Jordan continued with his karate career. He opened clubs in Dun Laoghaire, Co.
Dublin, and at Blessington Street and he extended his teaching to members of the
armed forces at Dublin's McKee barracks. No doubt the might Rangers can trace
the roots of their unarmed combat systems back to those embrionic days.
On the unification of karate styles in Ireland, a subject that is close to his
heart, he says: ''I believe that Official National Amateur Karate Association of
Ireland (ONAKAI) was the best effort made to unite the martial arts in Ireland.
He believes that the abstruse obstacles and impediments of ONAKAI, coupled with
a lack of commitment on the part of the Sports Council, were responsible for the
apparent failure of that body to achieve its aims. Given that commitment and
given more goodwill and enthusiasm, he feels that ONAKAI would have eventually
incorporated most karate styles in this country. Unfortunately, I don't believe
the same of the recently formed Irish National Karate Association (INKA). Only
time will tell.
In his forthright way, Tommy Jordan says that he believes the emergence of Bruce
Lee, and the cult following that this film star created, did more harm than good
to karate. Black belts sprang up everywhere that gained the respect of their
students through fear rather than through teaching experience and example. This
resulted in a lowering of the karate standards, which had existed prior to the
Bruce Lee era. A legend bites the dust!
When it comes to his own philosophy on modern karate he says: ''I believe
students should be taught to use weapons which can be utilised easily and
efficiently such as, palm-heel, back-knuckle, finger-thrust, half-fist and
elbows. There is too much emphasis on the use of the reverse punch it takes
months to develop the reverse punch to the point where it can be used
effectively. Students should be encouraged to practice these strikes when
sparring because in a 'real' situation these are the most useful weapons. His
professional calling (dental technician) comes to the fore: ''A lot of
instructors, as well as students, are not aware of how important it is to wear a
mouth guard. This device helps to protect against fracture of the mandible or
damage to teeth and facial tissue.
The correct thickness of protective material between the teeth will absorb the
shock of a punch or kick. And, by the way, it should never be possible to knock
a properly constructed guard from the mouth. He gives practical expression to
this advice by molding and manufacturing precisely fitting mouth guards for his
students. Jordan is a pragmatist.
He has some harsh words for those who lay too mush stress on bowing: ''You can
show respect for the instructor, club and fellow students without bowing like
Noddy every time you enter or leave the area. (Different horses for different
courses).
He continues to teach, he insists, the style, which McSweeney originally
introduced to Ireland. When Ed Parker decided to make alterations to the Kenpo
system, Jordan refused to make such a transition and continued to improve and
streamline the older style. He is even more traditionalist when it comes to the
thorny subject of grading. I have been told that some grades are awarded like
pope giving his blessing to the crowd in St.Peter's Square. In the IKA a first
brown belt grading would involve six forms (Kata), 180 techniques on each side
and six three-minute fights. Jordan drives his students as relentlessly as he
drives himself.
One of the highlights of Tommy Jordan's colorful and successful martial arts
career came two years ago when his student arranged a celebration to commemorate
his 21 years involvement with Kenpo karate. It was the biggest surprise of my
life, '' says the man who has provided his own share of surprises in his time.
It is difficult to synopsis the achievements of Tommy Jordan, but if anything
can adequatey describe the man it would be: He is a traditional man defending an
honorable tradition. We wish him luck!
