I'm Andrew a.k.a. Andy and a 'returnee' to GKR.
I train in R10 (South Brisbane) at Wellington Point and Alexandra Hills. Currently a Green Belt (6th Kyu).
My first experience with Martial Arts was 'Burmese Boxing' with a neighbor in his backyard as a teenager.
My 'official' martial arts training started with the study and practice of Tai Chi (Yang style) & Chi Kung / Qi Gong for a few years in Perth. I then studied traditional Goju-ryu in Canberra for a year but retired hurt after having my knee kicked out during a 'friendly' demonstration with a Black belt TaeKwonDo chap at a Sydney tournament. I was still a white belt at the time, but that style/school had only 4 belt colours (white, green, brown & black).
I then started GKR in 99, but stopped in 2000 when life overwhelmed me, and took me away from things for a while. Then February this year saw a knock at the door where a 'familar face' re-introduced me to the GKR world. Since then i have won Gold at a Regional Tournament, graded to 6th kyu and finished 4th at the QLD state titles (4th-6kyu division).
I'm a divorced dad of two beautiful girls who live in Sydney with their mum, but i live with my new partner and her 3 kids in Brisbane. Two of my partners kids train with me and are currently both 8th kyu (yellow belt). I'm thinking of training them up for team/synchronised kata.
My current Karate goal is 4th Kyu by 40 (has a certain 'ring' to it
).I look forward to chatting / posting here.
cheers for now
andy G
