In earlier days, it was required that a bodybuilder also be an athlete. In order to compete in the regional and Mr America contests, you had to participate in another sport and demonstrate porfiency. A lot of the fellas chose Olympic lifting. Others practiced Judo. Personally, I studied Kenpo Karate. I began while stationed in Asia. A couple of buddies and myself would lift weights all week then head into the village on Saturdays and study with Jin Hee Park. After I was stationed in Hawaii, I continued lifting intently and trained with Professor Chow. Arriving to California, I received my Black Belt under Professor Tracy. Two days later I bench pressed five hundred pounds. Karate has taught me much in this life. It has taught me self respect, respect for others, and of course has taught me how to defend myself. I remember back in the seventies going into a disco one night with a young gal who I was screwing, when a couple of colored fellas tried to rob me in the mens room. I kicked one in the face and smashed the other one with a hammer strike. Then there was the time in Oakland when I caught a couple of them trying to swipe the wheels off my Trans Am. I broke one's face with a side kick and Karate Chopped the other in the neck. Those two howled in pain. The point is my muscles have always been more than show pieces.
