Darren McCabe I

I started Taekwon-Do many Years ago which was then the GTF federation, I must have been about 18 years old.

I started at Bishop Ullathorne School, Training with Mr Paul Footman(3rd Degree) that's where I met Jon and Zoe, and obtained My 1st Degree Black belt with Master Oldham. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest things I have accomplished in my life, and by far a challenge. I remember grading in front of Master Oldam everyone was so nervous, when it came to 1 on 1 sparring I remember Master Oldam shouting out at everyone "this is your black belt grading, if you want to pass drop the person your sparring". And the breaking was pretty much as intense I think it may have been Mr Ian Ridley who was getting everyone focused leading up to the grading who gave some of his pearls of wisdom and some motivational words to psyche everyone up "Either the board goes or the foot goes".

It was a challenge to say the least and all the years of training for everyone to prepare themselves realise that they had earned their belt that day. Eventually the club I was training with the Instructor left and was taken over by a fellow Student (John Paul 1st degree) people left and the club closed which was a real shame.

I was continuing training at Master Oldam's black belt only club (Jee-Goo) everyone was of very high standard and all very talented. I found it difficult travelling to the club every week and eventually gave up Taekwon-Do and started up with Gymnastics.

Then not long ago I was thinking of starting up martial arts again, mainly because I'm so unfit!. I was looking at local clubs in Coventry and came across TstMartial arts I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was being run by Mr and Mrs Tizick. I emailed them straight away and asked if I could catch up with them as it has been along time and I was invited to one of their classes.

I was impressed straight away with the high standard from all the students and it felt like a family club. I was told that I would be more than welcome to join and they would help me get back up to scratch.