Video of my Thaiboxing Instructor Test...

[Tim Mousel]

I'm a year older this month so I'm a little age sensitive at the moment!

That's funny about the future Mrs. Britt! Did she see the video or did you just tell her about it?

Tim

[Britt]

I'm still young!!

The leg injury was a brand new injury as a result of the test.

Tim

Sorry, I should have said a younger Tim.

I told the future Mrs. Britt last night about the video of your test and your subsequent bone injury, and she got a little pale and looked like she was going to barf. When I told her on top of that you didn't pass that go around, she looked offended.

[Tim Mousel]

This event was in the summer of 1990. This was the first test I took and I took the second test 6 months after this one. Each round was 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period.

Tim

[ULIKEIT]

O cool. A whole week with the man himself. So when was this event. Someone earlier mentioned it was the younger you ^_^. and then I think that you mentioned that you took the test again was this the first one or the second one that you passed...That was pretty hard core. Also how long was the rest period between the rounds>??

[Tim Mousel]

I have high respect for all the people I mentioned, I referred to them the way I know them. Didn't put any thought into it and no disrespect was intended to anyone.

Just because Pendekar Paul wasn't in the video doesn't mean he wasn't there! There are a lot of people on the backside of the camera that you don't see. The reason he was there is because he was teaching Pentjak Silat at the week long international martial arts camp.

Tim

[ULIKEIT]

Hmmmm...Thank you for the video... I know that Guro Dan at one point in time wanted people to do that, but I don't see what Pendakar Paul was there for a kickboxing test when that is a art that he has nothing to do with... also I did not see him on the vid...



Ps... On a side notes . i noticed the only one you gave respect to with the proper title is Guro Dan, just wondering why take care and thanks for the vids

[gabbah]

Also, the test doesn't prove whether or not you are a good instructor. However, Ajarn Chai wanted to test my heart and desire before making me an instructor. To him that is very important. Also at the time, Guro Dan Inosanto required certification through the Thaiboxing Association before he would make someone an instructor. He only wanted instructors in his organization that could pass the test as it proves a certain dedication, toughness and heart.

The main benefit I got from passing the test is a huge sense of accomplishment.

Tim

Ok then I get it, and agree. And you did have lots of heart.

[Tim Mousel]

But I don't really get the idea of having the test... in that form at least. I mean the trainer already knows your level both in sparring/match and technique wise, there's no need for a test is there?

Also, the test doesn't prove whether or not you are a good instructor. However, Ajarn Chai wanted to test my heart and desire before making me an instructor. To him that is very important. Also at the time, Guro Dan Inosanto required certification through the Thaiboxing Association before he would make someone an instructor. He only wanted instructors in his organization that could pass the test as it proves a certain dedication, toughness and heart. He has since dropped that requirement realizing that the test is not for everyone.

Also I can't see it being worth the damage you got.
Anyway, nice to see the vid! Keep them coming. Oh btw, how long had you been training when you did that test? And what do you gain by passing?

In some ways it was definitely worth it. It forced me to train very hard to reach a goal. It was a good gut check. In the second round after being kicked down several times I knew I was not going to be able to pass. Many people have commented that I should have just stayed down and avoided the beating. To me, that would have been worse than not passing. I would rather fail the test than to fail myself. I'm glad I did the test. I'm also glad I don't have to do it a third time!!

I began my martial arts training in 1980 with boxing, kickboxing and judo (growing up in Iowa I often entered wrestling tournaments while in lower grade school, but I don't count that as I got my butt kicked too often). So, I had been training for 10 years prior to the test. In 1984 I attended my first seminar with Ajarn Chai and it was also that same year that I began private training daily with two of Ashihara's black belts from Japan. Much of it was very similar to Thaiboxing and the sparring was done full contact with no pads (no face punching). We would also include punching to the face with gloves on. That training I got with the two Ashihara guys really helped my development. I took daily beatings from them!

The main benefit I got from passing the test is a huge sense of accomplishment.

Tim

[Tom Yum]

Nice, Tim.

I've only heard about the test from Pat & Robert, but that's awesome. I cringed for you during the 2nd round....

[gabbah]

Damn he really punished your legs!

But I don't really get the idea of having the test... in that form at least. I mean the trainer already knows your level both in sparring/match and technique wise, there's no need for a test is there? Just curious.
Also I can't see it being worth the damage you got.
Anyway, nice to see the vid! Keep them coming.

Oh btw, how long had you been training when you did that test? And what do you gain by passing?
I don't know if they use those kind of tests here in Sweden in muay thai. I train kickboxing that's why I don't know.

[Tim Mousel]

Thank you Ryan!

[ryangruhn]

Tim,
I am looking forward to the technique footage. I respect how humble you are in first off, posting the footage and second admitting that you did not pass that test. A great amount of respect I have for you Sir.

Gruhn

[Tim Mousel]

Wow, young Tim!

I'm still young!!

The leg injury was a brand new injury as a result of the test.

Tim

[Britt]

Wow, young Tim!

Thanks for posting those. You looked like you were in some real pain on the round two footage. Was the injury to your periosteum the direct result of the test, or did the test aggravate a preexisting injury?

[Tim Mousel]

I think the kicks to your inside thighs hurt a lot, but those 2 body shots early on took all your wind.

The leg kicks did hurt a lot. I ended up going to physical therapy for 6 months. The periosteum on my outer left thigh got broken which allowed the bone forming cells (osteoblasts) to leak out into the muscle contusion resulting in bone growth inside my thigh muscle! The two body shots didn't knock the wind out of me but they sure did hurt! I was actually surprised with the power he had in those strikes...he sure could hit HARD! The cumulative strikes definitely drained my energy.

I did not pass that test. Ajarn Chai called me a couple months after the test and convinced me to take it again. He said he wanted to make sure his instructors had "heart". So, within a couple weeks after I completed my therapy I flew to Atlanta and did it again with Dick Harrell as my holder. That test wasn't much fun either but I passed.