The Hay’s in the Barn…Part 2 by Dennis Schaefer

Next Tuesday, July 3rd, I will fight in the USTA National Tournament in Dallas, Texas. I have been training seriously since the first of the year and have accomplished my mission of qualifying for the middleweight class instead of the unlimited. Good news for me because the gold medal winner from the unlimited class in 2010 is back and bigger than ever. The hardest part of preparation has been making the weight but I have succeeded and I am ready; the hay’s in the barn once again.
At age 60 this might be my swan song. My philosophy is to never say never but the practicalities of continuing my fight career are limited by my age and the fact that most of the other guys my age chasing golf balls.
I am addicted to the training, camaraderie and the ritual; the single minded preparation is a relief in today’s world. Aside from coaching, my future in the world of competitive Taekwondo sparring is hazy. But that’s projection, there’s still a fight to fight. And all of the experience that has come in the past 12 years of competing will not go to waste. I am committed to bringing some form of martial arts training to my peers from here on out.
When we return from Dallas (my better half Mary will coach) I will be considering some new fields of endeavor. Number one contender at this point involves reviving my running career and tackling the ultra-marathons; no one to fight but myself.
Choshim (beginner’s mind); let’s get it on.
Dennis Schaefer is an Instructor at the Asian Arts Center Taekwondo School in Dayton, Ohio. www.aacdayton.com