John Mullin, 7th Dan - July 2006 Executive Director WTKO

During my Saturday morning drive to Mackinaw, my mind raced with the discussions that had recently occurred. Last night I had been invited to visit and socialize with Sensei’s John Mullin, Jim Hartman, Brian Evans and Kim Evans and I had gladly accepted the invitation. I had learned many things about karate history, training, politics, and friendships during my visit. Although I have been around Shotokan Karate for quite some time, it was obvious that I was truly the kohai in this group. While this was only my third time speaking with Sensei Mullin, I had been welcomed into the discussions as if I was an equal, and I felt that I had known him as well as everyone present for much longer than the past year. I had hated to leave last night, but I knew that I would need my rest for the events that would occur today.

Today I would get the opportunity to physically train and be instructed by Sensei Mullin.
Upon arrival to the ITKO dojo in Mackinaw, I was greeted and had a few moments to visit with Sensei Mullin and Sensei Evans. After changing, Sensei Evans introduced the schedule and training plan for the day. After a brief warm up, Sensei Mullin worked on single technique Kihon. This first session would focus on basics, and ample time was spent with hands on instruction to both Kyu grades and Dan grades. He discussed important key elements to techniques with emphasis on hip rotation and transitional movement. We moved quickly from technique to technique, and eventually added combination techniques to challenge our thought process.

After a short water break, we worked on kata. Both Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan were covered in great detail. “Work on the foundation of your karate”, was the principle Sensei Mullin applied to kata training. The basic techniques, turns and bunkai were elaborated on and often demonstrated by Sensei Mullin. Another point of learning was, “the speed in which the karate-ka moves from technique to technique is important, but accuracy in each of the techniques is its equal in value”.

Again we took a short break for water, and returned for a third series of training. During this session, emphasis was placed on gyaku-zuki, and utilizing the hips to create more power. Utilizing a hand held pad, impact was made using only hip rotation, with no arm movement at all. We progressed to focus on real person targets, and were instructed to “mirror” our opponent. Movement mirroring forward motion was utilized to block the attack, and allow us to chamber our hips to provide extra power for our counter attack.
This was demonstrated at slow, medium, and fast speed with excellent control focused on contact.

After a brief cool down with question and answer opportunity, all attendee’s were invited to a barbeque at Sensei’s Evans home. Sensei Kim Evans had set up an excellent meal with plenty of food, (and fluids) for all. This meal allowed a chance for networking and building relationships that will last a lifetime.

I returned home totally drained physically, but restored mentally and emotionally by the energy that I had witnessed. My thoughts were now on tomorrow, when Sensei Mullin would be at my dojo in Pawnee. He is a true karateka, a respected educator, and a genuine motivator. I look forward to all future opportunities to train with him.

Article by: Phil Thompson - Yondan