5 TIME WORLD CHAMPION RICHARD PLOWDEN INTERVIEW
Michigan Karate History: Mr. Plowden everyone knows your history as one of the best fighters this area has ever seen and your great success system for turning out some of the best fighters in the history of this state. For the moment we would like to turn your attention towards the kata and weapons competitors. Who are some of the best you have seen from Michigan?
Richard Plowden: First off let me say this. I have to base my criteria on impact outside of Michigan. You see it is easy to be a big fish in a little pond. With that said I would have to say Dino Cain and we all know his tragic story. Kerry Roop use to have a guy named Chun Steve he was known for his Korean forms. He use to give Charlie Lee fits. Charlie would see me at a national event and come up to me and ask if Chun was going to be there. Some people teach kata and do it John Anderson was one of those special people. Dan Cousineau also made some noise nationally. If you really want to go back Willie Adams could win in all three events sparring, kata and weapons.
MKH: What was your first open tournament?
RP: It was the Michigan All styles event it was promoted by Ishmael Ahmed. I had six to seven fights that day. I fought a guy from Toledo Ohio named Daniel Omar, Jamie Johnson (Kilindi) and Tony Montgomery who later went on to fight for the junior middle weight championship of the world.
MKH: Who are some of the best fighters you ever fought from Michigan?
RP: I competed from 1979 to 1991 only two people from Michigan ever beat me. Steve Ectinaw beat me once and Dave Kiss beat me three times. I fought them both over thirty times each.
MKH: What are some of the bigger events you remember having in Michigan from the past?
RP: Well having the A.K.A Grand Nationals here in Grand Rapids Michigan was really neat. Budweiser promoted an event in Michigan called the Motor city Nationals for two years. In the early 80's I remember Jeff Arnold's event in Flint giving away $1,000 to the Grand Champion. It was my first $1,000 win.
MKH: Being a true Heavyweight give us some of the best Heavyweights from each decade.
RP: A true heavyweight that I am. In the 70's you have Everett "Monster Man" Eddy did real well on the national circuit. Johnny Lee was another, him along with the monster man were from the KI program ran by David Praim. Walter King was a guy everyone was afraid of when I beat him it sort of launched my career in this area. Larry Green was another good one. A guy who has been to some events as of late and nobody knows is Craig Gilmore. For the 80's I would have to say Steve Ectinaw, Davis Kiss and again Larry Green. During the 90's I really like the things Dave Kiss did. The 2000's Travis Plowden and Mike Gibbs are two guys that are not afraid to step out of Michigan and compete.
MKH: Give us the current state of Sport Karate Competitors in Michigan.
RP: Michigan has been caught up in a watered down environment. Everybody gets caught up in how good they think they are and don't want to go outside of the state and test themselves against Raymond Daniels or Jason Tankson-Bourelly or for that matter even know who those two guys are.
MKH: The Michigan karate Circuit was the last big circuit before the formation of the M.S.K.C give us your thoughts on its founder the late Henry Fuentez if you could.
RP: Henry Fuentez was progressive. Henry just didn't look at Michigan by itself he saw the big picture from a national level. Henry and I had one or more conversations about bringing a national event to the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. He had the respect of the national judges and promoters. Henry is truly missed.
MKH: Mr. Plowden thank-you for your time.
RP: Anytime
