TRAD:  We hear so much about fighting in the early days, what was it really like?

David Allsop:  In the late 60’s fighting was hard and very effective, some might say crude.  I could relate many stories of the early U.K.K.W and B.K.K.C nationals but most are unbelievable in today's highly controlled environment.  A good kick in the groin often brought things to an early conclusion.  We fought Shobu Ippon then and this is the format I prefer.  I believe that the other scoring formats have changed the way fights proceed.  Shin kicking, groin kicks and throat attacks had to go of course but, even so this has also changed fighting a lot.  In those days of course we had no insurance and cared less. Nowadays you have to be more careful.  One story I would like to relate to illustrate the difference in attitude then to now, was when I fought one of my friends from Coventry, Jim O’Brien. He was a very big man and prone to overpowering his opponents with a ferocious rush.  He tried this on me and I removed 6 of his back teeth with a nagashizuki.  The referees had a long discussion about whether I should be disqualified or not on the grounds that he was rushing in at the time.  Meanwhile my friends and his also, were scrambling around trying to find Jim’s teeth, which apparently were gold filled, I think he swallowed one of them as well.  Yes I did get disqualified but only just, perhaps it was because Jim was only semi-conscious.  Jim had his teeth put back and six months later had some of them removed again in another competition, and we say those were the days!

TRAD:  Has anything else changed the quality of fighting still further?

David Allsop:  The general level of instructional skill has risen continuously over the years.  Early on, Japanese instructors apart, you were lucky to have a very experienced instructor but now it is more usual.  Also Sports Karate is also available so some instructors and organisations concentrate wholly on competing in and winning tournaments, wrongly in my view, but it has enhanced competition fighting skills and the performance of kata.  It produces top class athletes of course but great martial artists I am not so sure – only time will tell.

TRAD:  Is there anything that you don't like about Karate now?

David Allsop:  Well yes, but I don't dwell on them.  Perhaps too much emphasis on kata performance rather than content, but the only thing I get really vocal about are cowboy instructors.  People with little experience passing on dubious quality Karate to gullible students.  It is not the students fault, only the instructors.  I don't think we should just stand idly by and watch students being ripped off by these people.