October 10th 2009
TAYLOR SPORTSPLEX
13333 Telegraph Rd.
Taylor, Mi 48180
For More Information:
Call
GREAT GRANDMASTER
Delford Fort
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313-898-8930
http://www.yellowtigersinckarate.com/
John Corey Michigan Karate History: In what year did you start the Martial Arts?
Mike Gibbs: I started the Martial Arts on
JCMKH: What made you get into the Martial Arts?
MG: Well what many people don’t know is that I come from a family of Black Belts! I have four cousins that are Black Belts along with an Uncle and Aunt. I have always loved Karate. When I was young I always wanted to join but my parents had me in so many other sports I didn’t have time. Then one day I told them I didn’t want to play baseball that upcoming summer and my Aunt and Uncle talked my mother into letting me join karate at the school they were attending.
JCMKH: What was the first karate school you trained at?
MG: It was a Tae Kwon Do school that was a part of the North American Tae kwon Do Association.
JCMKH: So you have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do?
MG: No I left that school before black belt. My black belt is in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do.
JCMKH: When were you first exposed to Sport karate?
MG: The first exposure I ever had to the Sport Karate world was articles written in Karate Illustrated in the 1980’s. It was there that I first heard names like Nasty Anderson, Scorpion Burrage, Anthony Price, Richard Plowden, Tony Young, John and George Chung, Charlie lee.
JCMKH: What was your first tournament?
MG: I’m glad you asked that question John. Let me say this, as I said before my first school was a traditional Tae kwon Do school, so when they said we were going to a karate tournament I was so excited I was finally going to see all the people I read about in the magazines. Well we went and it was a traditional tournament I was bummed not to see my hero’s I was reading about and not to long after I quit that school. So my first tournament was a Tae Kwon do event that I can’t even tell you the name of .I believe it was in
JCMKH: What was your first national event?
MG: My first National Event I ever went to was the very 1st N.B.L Supergrands in
JCMKH: What are some of your thoughts on the Michigan Sport Karate Circuit?
MG: My first thought is thank the lord! After the M.K.C and I.M.A.C Circuits karate tournaments were almost all gone there were a couple of events that had ok turn outs, but for the most part there were events with as little as 40 competitors!
JCMKH: Who were some of your favorite fighters when you were coming up the ranks?
MG: LOL My father and I were talking about this over the last holiday, I use to love to sit and watch the black belts. The problem with that is, I was an under belt and was usually done with my events by
JCMKH: Who are some of your instructor’s you have trained with?
MG: I have had many. There have been people that have come into my life and helped me out. Doug Bourgeois I owe a lot too he kept me out of trouble when I was young by letting me just hang out in the dojo instead of the streets. Most of that crowd I was running with at that age are in prison. Don Prue was always good to me and encouraged me; we still keep in contact to this day. John Anderson made karate and karate tournaments fun, he taught me about tradition and loyalty, I was sad when john sold his school but I understood. I’m so glad he is back and coming around again. When I first met Jeff Bryant I thought oh no another crazy Isshin- Ryu person. I learned so much from Jeff, he use to take his nephew and I every where and pay for us to eat compete everything. Jeff has looked out for me so many times I can never thank him or his wife Lisa enough. If I was Richard Plowden I would have thrown me out and never let me come back. He use to tell me to throw a reverse punch and I would backfist, or tell me to throw a side kick and I would throw a round kick. I would throw someone like that out. But he didn’t. Mr. Plowden was the first to teach me how to win, that second place wasn’t ok if you wanted bigger things in sport karate. But I could talk for days about karate ideas and the success system he has taught me. As I have said numerous times I feel sorry for people that only know the karate version of Mr. Plowden because that is only a small percentage of the man he is. He has helped me threw so many personal issues. But the one thing he has taught me the most that I will take to my grave is how to be a great father and family man.
JCMKH: Who were some of the toughest people you have fought?
MG: No doubt the toughest Askia Allison 7 times 7 loses and every time we hang out he rubs it in. Brian Ruth was tough everything he threw hurt no matter if it scored or not and Anthony Price was tough I had never fought someone so long and tall before and I was scared to death.
JCMKH: What about toughest forms competitors?
MG: Dan Cousinaeu is the only reason I ever did kata or weapons. Dan made me have to try harder. He set the bar for forms around here. Dan Pitlock I have only competed against a handful of times he is special. Mike Williams and I have been battling since the color belt days. John Anderson was ahead of his time. Also Dino Cain was sweet back in the day.
JCMKH: Give us the top ten fighters out there today.
MG: Wow are there ten! Are there even ten that compete?
Askia Allison:to me he is the best. 5 Time N.B.L World Champion and W.A.K.O World Champion.
Willie Hicks: He has turned into one of the elite fighters in the country.
Travis Plowden: Another Elite fighter.
Korey Kuppe: Is still young and I hope he stays with the sport.
Bernard Frost: A senior that can hang and be competive that is special. One of the nicest guys I have ever met on top of that.
Peter Davenport: Glad to see him back out and winning again.
Zack Burns: When he is on he can hang with anyone.
Jermond Wiggins: Just starting to get his groove back.
JCMKH: What is the main thing the Martial Arts has done for you?
MG: The one thing it has done is given me friendships that will last a life time. Some of the best times of my life were with karate people traveling to events. Karate has been a life saver as I stated before. Three guys I use to hang out with are doing Life terms in prison, another is doing 20 years. I didn’t grow up in a bad area or have a broken home and these guys didn’t either they just made bad choices and I could have easily been with them on any given day but around that time is when I started hanging out with Doug at the Karate school, so in my eyes karate probably has saved me. Also growing up I had three hero’s Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Richard Plowden. Again because of karate how many people actually get to meet there hero’s growing up let alone become friends with one of the three. Also I might get to meet Muhammad Ali in June because of karate.
JCMKH: What about the lady black belts?
MG: As far as fighting goes I feel Morgan Plowden is the best the state has to offer, and then I will say Alisha Williams, Deb O’Nail. If you are talking about traditional kata Alisha Williams is the best out there and then there is no one close. Also if it is open forms I like Melissa from Mr. Cousineau’s school. If we talk about woman mma I’m a Franita Gathings SUPERFAN!!!!!!
JCMKH: You have been around for a long time. What are some of the best fights, moments or performances you have witnessed?
MG: Wow again so many. Performances, Ho sung Pak at the Diamonds getting all 10’s that was crazy. Also the first time I saw Cesar Borkowski from
JCMKH: That’s all I can think of for now so thanks for your time and this was real awkward for me to interview my instructor.
MG: Your welcome, but you’re not testing any sooner LOL.
GRAND CHAMPION WINNERS FROM THE EVENT
KOREY KUPPE MENS FIGHTING
AMANDA CHANEY WOMANS FIGHTING
MICHAEL WILLIAMS MENS FORMS
AUSTIN DUDLEY JUNIOR FORMS
BLACK BELT OPEN WEAPONS - Matt Rydell (Double Dragon)
BLACK BELT TRADITIONAL WEAPONS - Alex Weurmehl (Bryants Karate)
BLACK BELT OPEN FORMS - Brian Kalakay (Kalakay Karate)
BLACK BELT TRADITIONAL FORMS - Brian Kalakay (Kalakay Karate)
BLACK BELT WOMAN FORMS - Samantha Uptegraff (kalakay Karate)
BLACK BELT MENS LIGHT WEIGHT - Andrew Rydell (Double Dragon)
BLACK BELT MENS MIDDLE WEIGHT - Peter Davenport (Team Plowden)
BLACK BELT MENS HEAVY WEIGHT - Mike Gibbs (Team Plowden)
BLACK BELT WOMANS FIGHTING - Amanda Chaney (Team Plowden)
FORMS GRAND CHAMPION - BRIAN KALAKAY
MENS SPARRING GRAND CHAMPION - PETER DAVENPORT
JEFF BRYANT: I started Karate in 1979.
MKH: Did you ever check out any other styles or has it always been Isshin-Ryu?
JB: I never really looked for a Karate school it just kind of found me. A friend of mine at the time was training at the Karate club that was being held at
MKH: You were trained many years by Randy Moshier who had a reputation of running a really tough karate program, with that said you probably know Mr. Moshier better than most people what was he like and what were some of the work outs like?
JB: I was in his first class of his first school. And Randy or his karate program being tough is an under statement. In the early years he was borderline crazy. We worked out on a brushed cement floor doing calisthenics for about and hour then we would spar (no pads) until no one could stand. Oh I almost forgot once in a while he would teach us a kata. In the later years of his teaching he softened up a little. Randy was one of the funniest people I ever met and also had a big heart those who knew him best would agree.
MKH: When did you receive your black belt?
JB: I tested for my ShoDan in 1987, yes that was 8 long years, now a days if you train that long in some schools that would get you YonDan (3rd Degree Black Belt).
MKH: With the passing of Mr. Moshier who is your current Instructor?
JB: Mike as you know I’ve trained few different instructors. After Master Moshier passed away I started training with Wesley Gugler he retired in 2001 and then I had the pleasure of calling Bert Ross my instructor. After Master Ross passed away in 2005 I was blessed with two instructors Master Jim Larocco and Master Thomas Perry.
MKH: Again like so many other Martial Artist we have interviewed you have a Martial Arts family with yourself, your wife Lisa "The Hammer Fist" Bryant, your son Austin and semi retired martial artist Samantha, what is having a martial arts family like?
JB: It’s great to share something you love so much with the people you love the most.
MKH: Who were some of your martial arts hero's coming up?
JB: Kerry “SuperKicks” Roop, “Bad” Brad Hefton and Rick “The Jet” Roufus mostly kickboxers.
MKH: What was your first Martial Arts tournament?
JB: I started going to tournaments about the same time I tested for my Black Belt. It was probably at Four Seasons or one of Master Bob White’s tournaments.
MKH: In your eyes who were some of the better fighters from the past?
JB: Well I didn’t really start going to Tournaments until later in my Karate career I don’t remember all the great others have name but here my list (not in any order)
Master Serrato
George Phiffer
Albert Mady
Mike Wilson
MKH: Who are some of your favorite fighters today?
JB: I love to watch the Big Four Travis Plowden, Willie Hicks, Askia Allison and Bernard Frost. I do feel there are some fighters to watch out for in the near future. Heavy Weights Adam Sklba and Matt Rydell. Middle Weights Willie Brown, Joe Brown, Shawn Jackson, Jamel Crowell and don’t forget Korey Kuppe, I would love to see all these guys show up at one tournament. Light Weights young Mike Williams, Todd Jordan and hopefully we could get Dave Maison.
MKH: If you had to rank the top fighters of today in
JB: 1) Willie Hicks
2)Travis Plowden
3)Askia Allison
4)Zack Burns
5)Bernard Frost
6)Pete Davenport
7)Korey Kuppe
8)Mike Williams Jr.
9)Willie Brown
10) Alonzo Haynes, Adam Sklba, Joe Brown, Shawn Jackson, Jamel Crowell
JB: Also for the Women Division:
1) Morgan Plowden
2) Amanda Chaney
3) Courtney Brewster
4) Alisha Williams
5) Amanda Lavoy
MKH: Lets talk about kata and weapons list some of your favorite kata and weapons competitors?
JB:
1 Dan “Mr. Evil” Couineau
2 Dan Pitlock
3 Mike Williams
4 Dave Maison
5 Brian Kalakay
MKH: Being a Michigan Sport Karate Circuit promoter that use to compete on the old
JB: I think that the biggest difference is that there are more competitors that are starting at a younger age and are more athletic than the MKC days. These kids that are competing are just spectacular. I just hope that they just don’t get burned out at 9 or 10 years old because that would be a shame. Parents let your kids have fun it doesn’t always have to so serious.
MKH: What do you see in the future for the Michigan Sport Karate Circuit?
JB: I see the tournaments getting bigger and the talent getting better. Thanks to the hard work of all the Promoters. I would also like to thanks Master Plowden, Master Gathings and their families for putting on a great year end event.
MKH: You are having an event on
JB: Well you can expect a great turn out. In the last couple years we have had about 300 competitors. This year may be a little smaller but we should still have a good turn out.
Location will be at:
1420 Lakeville road
Please follow the directions off the flier. Map quest any take you to the
MKH: Mr. Bryant Thank-You for your time and also for your efforts in giving Michigan Martial artist a circuit to compete on!
#16 Thanks you and keep up the good work.
Me as a four-eyed goofy little kid (not much has changed, just older), my father is the one that thought that it would be a good thing to get me into. Little did he know that I would take it this far. Anyone that knew me from my competition days knew my Dad. He was always with me and sometimes he would go to tournaments without me. However, it was my Mom that drove me to all of my classes.
2. What year did you start the Martial Arts?
I started Karate in 1972. I was 10 years old
3. Who was your first Instructor?
Every instructor that I train with is my first instructor however, Marshal Johnson is the first man that took me under his wing, taught me, cared for me, and gave me the understanding of what a Karate instructor is all about. He will be forever in my heart.
Since then Roger Pratt, Bob Dalgleish, Ernest Estrada, and Iha Seikichi.
4. We know you have different black belts in many styles can you name the styles you have black belts in?
Tae-Kwon-Do
Goju-Kai
Iki-Shin-Do
Sho-Rin-Ryu
Ryukyu-Kobujitsu
5. What year and what event did you first compete in?
My first competition was in 1973 Pee Wee Kata – Kumite.
6 What is the difference between tournaments from your "hay day" to now?
Well, let me tell you something, years ago when I was in the BB kata division we felt bad for all the old guys trying to compete with us. So the promoters decided to put together a senior division, and if they wanted to try to keep up with us young guys in the BB division, our attitude was “Bring it!” However, I found that that is not the case anymore, as I tried to show the young guys that this old man has still got it in me, at the battle of the 45th. I was disqualified for being too old. I guess that people are so hung up on winning that they don’t care about the competition.
7. Who are you favorite fighters from the past?
Harold Howard
Dave Kiss
Steve Echtinaw
Big Rich Plowden
8. What are some of your favorite forms and weapons competitors from the past?
Roger Pratt
Steve Reynolds
Dave Hilton
Mark Parker
9. Who would you credit with being pioneers of sport karate in
Bruce Henderson
Henry Fuentes
Mike March
Willie Adams
And of course Richard Plowden
10. Having strong roots on the West Side of the state, how is sport karate and tournaments on the west side different from the east side?
While both sides of the state have very strong competitors, there is a difference in the competition. As the west side has more unified tournaments, the east side has more diversity. I don’t know if ones better that the other, but what I judge the tournaments by is how much fun we have at them. And I have a great time on both sides of the state. Living In-between definitely gives me that advantage.
11. Being a forms and weapons icon in
Being a forms & weapons competitor all sparring opponents are tough! Although
Steve Echtinaw has whipped me in a bad way! It all started in 1976 at MSU my very first tournament as a BB, Steve kicked me so hard I slid out of the ring and into the next ring and continued to get beat on the whole way. Just to be able to score a point would be a great accomplishment. And Steve will tell you that my mom was on the sideline telling him to hit me harder. And being a punching & kicking bag for Dave Kiss every Wednesday & Friday Night in GR. All fun to the side, Steve & Dave are my great friends, and are the Godfathers to my daughters Marie & Alyse. And we love them both very much.
12. You taught World Champion Bearnadette Ambrosia how did that relationship come about?
Bearnadette is the student of Harold Howard, and Harold is a Ryukyu-Koubu-jitsu student of mine. But more important Harold is my very close friend and we spent many weeks’ days & hours at a time, training with the Bo, and one day when I was at Harold’s Dojo little Bearnadette Ambrosia showed up for one of my seminars and showed a great passion for the Bo. When I returned a few months later Harold had told me she was doing very well, and indeed she was. She soon was traveling on the national circuit. Finding me whenever she could to work with her. Soon after that she was winning many national champions and a world title.
13. If we rent or buy UFC 3 we will see John Anderson leading Harold Howard to the ring, what was the whole UFC experience like?
As you all ready know the UFC is much different now than it was back then it was ran like a tournament, now there are bouts. Just think of fighting in a cage once, but then have to go back in. and when Helio Gracie, Royce Gracie’s father threw in the towel I don’t know about you but where I come from, that means we win the match. Royce did not have to come into the ring. Just maybe he wanted Harold to advance. And then Ken Shamrock leaving the building just as we were going out to fight. Let me tell you it was a ride like you have never been on. Harold and I have always been very close and go back a very long time but the whole experience at the UFC brought Harold and I closer than brothers. And I wouldn’t change that for the world.
14. You hadn't competed in a karate tournament for almost 15 years and this past year at the
It was definitely awesome to get back into the ring and compete after 15 years. More exciting was to compete with my daughter Marie. We had a lot of fun and the experience will be remembered. Marie had heard stories of the old days, and she has traveled around the country competing on the AAU Karate circuit. When we competed on the open circuit she felt she got a taste of them days. Back then tournaments had a soul everyone had unity competitors, promoters & spectators all working together trying to reach the same goal. Competition wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about building ones own character. Winning is great, but seeing and being with your best friends and sharing something that you all have in common is what it is all about.
15. We have done 3 interviews on MKH and yourself along with Richard Plowden, Dan Cousineau, and Isaiah Gathings all have Martial Arts families, how is that experience?
Myself growing up in a Dojo. And both of my girls Marie & Alyse growing up in the same Dojo, it has definitely made an impact on my family. After both of my parents past, I closed my Dojo and sold it. As Mike Gibbs is well aware of. You don’t realize what you have until it is gone. And this was a harsh lesson for my Daughters. But this has turned into the best thing that has happened for them, they respect and cherish what they have. They train in a beautiful Dojo, and have an awesome Sensei. And they do Karate because they want to, not because they have to. And they receive their Knowledge from someone other than myself.
16. Will we be seeing more of John Anderson on the M.S.K.C circuit?
I don’t know, it all depends if my girls want to compete on the M.S.K.C circuit. I literally had grown up competing on the M.K.C. And I would love nothing more than to come back and see all my great friends hear in
She has expressed an interest in coming back to the M.S.K.C not necessarily to compete but to see the one she looks up to and loves like a brother Mike Gibbs.
It is my hope that the new generation of Karate-ka can find the Love and compassion that we all did when I was coming up thru the ranks!
Remember: Knowledge is Power, but the power of Love is everything!!
As Yogi
God bless you all, and hopefully our paths will cross someday.
Thank you,
John Anderson
Plowden's Championship Martial Arts Team won every M.S.K.C Men's black belt sparring grand championship, along with the two MSKC Pro titles that were contested. Listed below are the 2007 M.S.K.C event and men's grand champion winner.
CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE: WILLIE HICKS *ASKIA ALLISON WINS MSKC PRO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
MICHIGAN SPORT KARATE OPEN: WILLIE HICKS * MIKE GIBBS WINS MSKC PRO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
BATTLE AT THE 45th: ASKIA ALLISON
DETROIT CLASSIC: MIKE GIBBS
JABARI OPEN: WILLIE HICKS
RENNISANCE OPEN: TRAVIS PLOWDEN
FOUR SEASONS OPEN: WILLIE HICKS
FALL FREE FOR ALL: WILLIE HICKS
SPIRIT OF DETROIT: PETER DAVENPORT
MICHIGAN PRO/AM: TRAVIS PLOWDEN