General Chat & Info Board

rustyangler02 said:You've got it wrong. I was just explaining why my post got deleted... the real sweet spot to start kickboxing and actually see results is around age 50!!!
I know exactly what I'm talking about, and I know more than some Aikido guy who has zero connection to kickboxing... which makes total sense.

If your post was deleted, just send it via PM. Regardless, I have no idea where you get that "50 years" nonsense from. And an Aikido guy probably threw a kick once in his life.

I’ve got the perfect proof right here at my gym that anyone can start training kickboxing. About 6 or 7 years ago, this guy joined us. He was 30 at the time, a combat veteran dealing with PTSD, epilepsy attacks, and about a million other diagnoses that would make most people think sports aren't an option. Fast forward to today: his health is incredible. He’s strong, he’s fit, and he trains consistently—even when he’s traveling. He’s earned his brown belt, which is a huge deal around here, and he even stepped up to compete in a tournament once. When he first walked into the club, he could barely finish a few laps around the mats without collapsing. Honestly, he's a total inspiration to everyone at the gym.

Slightly off-topic, but whatever, it doesn't matter.🙂 Capoeira Angola Chicago welcomes new members during the first week of every month, and honestly, anyone who wants to peek in or try something different is welcome. We hold training sessions over at the West Side Rehab Center three times a week for two hours each. You don't need to be an athlete, and there’s no age limit to hold you back. Just bring some comfortable clothes and the willingness to show up—so, go for it.👍 For more details, check out

rustyangler02 said:I’ve got the perfect proof right here at my gym that anyone can start training kickboxing. About 6 or 7 years ago, this guy joined us. He was 30 at the time, a combat veteran dealing with PTSD, epilepsy attacks, and about a million other diagnoses that would make most people think sports aren't an option. Fast forward to today: his health is incredible. He’s strong, he’s fit, and he trains consistently—even when he’s traveling. He’s earned his brown belt, which is a huge deal around here, and he even stepped up to compete in a tournament once. When he first walked into the club, he could barely finish a few laps around the mats without collapsing. Honestly, he's a total inspiration to everyone at the gym.

Wait, where exactly is "around here"?
Whereabouts do you train?

-briskjackal5

At this small gym in a city like Columbus... I doubt you’d recognize it. Most of these guys aren't exactly elite fighters lately. We see an occasional win here and there, but we all know how things work in the States. It’s tough to balance heavy training sessions with a real job. You have to work. Very few people can actually make a living just by fighting. You might know my coach, though. He had some solid runs back in the day—think along the lines of the legends from the old school era.

rustyangler02 said:At this small gym in a city like Columbus... I doubt you’d recognize it. Most of these guys aren't exactly elite fighters lately. We see an occasional win here and there, but we all know how things work in the States. It’s tough to balance heavy training sessions with a real job. You have to work. Very few people can actually make a living just by fighting. You might know my coach, though. He had some solid runs back in the day—think along the lines of the legends from the old school era.

Are you training over at Kranjčec's place by any chance?

Nah. Haven't even heard of him...

rustyangler02 said:Nah. Haven't even heard of him...

Look, the guy was a world champion in Muay Thai—some version of it, anyway—about 15 years back. He actually clinched that title in Atlantic City... just go ask some of the local guys in New Jersey who used to train in MT.

I'll ask the coach; they'll definitely know... actually, I think I recognize that name. I believe he organizes some events over in San Diego... but honestly, my focus is more on the kickboxing scene than MMA. As far as kickboxing goes, everything in San Diego basically kicked off at one single spot and revolved around a few key people (like Ilić or Žaljardić)...

Robin Palmer3 said:Look, the guy was a world champion in Muay Thai—some version of it, anyway—about 15 years back. He actually clinched that title in Atlantic City... just go ask some of the local guys in New Jersey who used to train in MT.

Oh, wait, it just clicked... back in the late 80s, there was some kind of world kickboxing championship held in San Diego. It’s possible they had Muay Thai running too. I don't think it was WAKO, maybe ISKA or IAKSA? I don't have the exact details and I can't seem to track them down online. I'm pretty sure it was an amateur tournament. My coach took second place in either full contact or kickboxing... he also competed in semi and light contact. It's a shame there's no record of it anywhere.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a skilled instructor in the greater metropolitan area who offers private lessons, or perhaps someone who just hasn't had much luck with marketing and isn't widely known yet, but would be open to teaching? From what I’ve managed to dig up online regarding practitioners in the city, it seems most are concentrated out west—around places like the suburbs or the business districts—and there are only about two kendo schools or clubs in total, one of which only holds sessions on Saturdays. I can't help but wonder if public interest is simply too low to justify expanding further, or if kendo is still just a niche, emerging interest here in the States. I'm asking because I have a genuine desire to learn some form of swordsmanship, but since I'm living over in a neighborhood like Queens, commuting all the way to the other side of town every single day just doesn't seem practical.

It’s funny, isn't it? How people operate. You see these discussions popping up, all kinds of noise, just a constant stream of chatter that doesn't actually lead anywhere. It’s like watching a slow-motion car crash on the I-95—you know it’s going to be messy, you know there's going to be debris everywhere, but you can't quite look away because the sheer absurdity of it keeps you hooked. I was sitting there this morning, sipping my coffee—black, obviously, none of that sugary syrup nonsense—and thinking about how much energy is wasted on trivialities. We spend so much time arguing over the small stuff, the minor details that won't matter in twenty-four hours, let alone ten years. It reminds me of those old debates back in high school about whether a hot dog is a sandwich. Completely useless. Purely performative. People get so worked up. They raise their voices, they type in all caps, they act as if their specific grievance is the pivot point upon which the entire universe turns. It's exhausting to witness. There’s a certain dignity in being measured, in taking a moment to actually process a thought before letting it fly into the void. But I suppose that’s asking too much from most folks these days. Most people would rather scream into a megaphone than have a conversation. Anyway, just some thoughts while the world continues its inevitable slide into chaos. Nothing serious. Just observing. kaže:
I’ve been thinking about this lately—I’d honestly love to pick up some kind of swordsmanship. There’s something about it, I don't know, a discipline there. But here’s the catch: I’m living out in Dubrava, and let's be real, trekking all the way down to Black Rock every single day just for a training session? It’s just not worth the gas or the headache. It's like trying to commute from the suburbs to downtown Manhattan every morning just to hit a specific gym; eventually, the logistics just kill the motivation.

There’s this group of guys—been coming out from the East Side for quite a few years now—to hit the mats for training.
I'll pass. I actually know someone from a town like Des Moines who makes the trek out here too. If you really want, I can have them give you the lowdown on whether the drive is actually worth the training sessions.

My boyfriend travels all the way from the outskirts just to make it to training.
It really just comes down to sheer grit and willpower.

When the season comes to an end, which club is actually sitting at the top of the table?

velvetwolf17 said:When the season comes to an end, which club is actually sitting at the top of the table?

"Agatsu."
http://agatsu.kendo.com

Hey everyone, I’m new here! I’m 15 years old and used to play handball, but my club ended up folding, so now I’m looking to get into some kind of martial arts. Muay Thai really catches my eye, but the closest gym is way out in the suburbs. I’m living over in Brooklyn, so if anyone could recommend some good clubs around here, I’d really appreciate it—doesn’t have to be strictly Muay Thai. Thanks!🙏 🙏

Anonymous said:Hey everyone, I’m new here! I’m 15 years old and used to play handball, but my club ended up folding, so now I’m looking to get into some kind of martial arts. Muay Thai really catches my eye, but the closest gym is way out in the suburbs. I’m living over in Brooklyn, so if anyone could recommend some good clubs around here, I’d really appreciate it—doesn’t have to be strictly Muay Thai. Thanks!🙏 🙏

The closest Thai boxing gym for you would probably be in Volt, run by Marijan Žižanović
maybe there's something even closer...😕 check a few local directories...
http://www.profightstore.com/content...aID=Thaiboxing

Anonymous said:Hey everyone, I’m new here! I’m 15 years old and used to play handball, but my club ended up folding, so now I’m looking to get into some kind of martial arts. Muay Thai really catches my eye, but the closest gym is way out in the suburbs. I’m living over in Brooklyn, so if anyone could recommend some good clubs around here, I’d really appreciate it—doesn’t have to be strictly Muay Thai. Thanks!🙏 🙏

There's a club right in Blacksburg run by Ziza. Shoot a PM to briskjackal5 from this forum.

hiddensailor14 said:The closest Thai boxing gym for you would probably be in Volt, run by Marijan Žižanović
maybe there's something even closer...😕 check a few local directories...
http://www.profightstore.com/content...aID=Thaiboxing

Actually, I think Žiža moved his training sessions over to the military base near Blackwater, he isn't at the Volt anymore.

-briskjackal5

Hey everyone, does anyone here happen to be knowledgeable about Shorinji Kempo? I was hoping someone could walk me through the basics and explain what it’s all about.
Greetings!