Lee Gale

Again the hour tonight was total stress-busting heaven – and we finished with COMBAT! Yes, a bit of aggro!

Forty minutes later I’d got it. I’d actually got it! A bit wobbly here and there – but it was a breakthrough! I ran through all 20 kata kihon moves a few times with the sensei, then did the whole thing on my own. I couldn’t believe it! Just an hour ago, I was a no-hoper.

Our room at the back of the church on Green Lanes had been earmarked as a substitute voting station, which would have meant the cancellation of the lesson. Maybe earlier in the day that might have suited me because I’d gone to the leaving do of a work colleague the previous evening.

I’ve been telling people in the office over the last week that my natural karate ability was spotted in my first session and that I’ve already been earmarked for a fast-track to a black belt. The reality is somewhat different, of course.

I didn’t want to be 13st, but that was my heft when I spotted a notice on white paper at the coffee shop at Winchmore Hill train station advertising Middlesex Shotokan Karate. It was like being hit by a lightning bolt.