BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Once Mike Gauthier got the taste of martial arts, it stayed with him and made him hungry for more.
Gauthier, 27 has spent the last 12 years honing his skills and learning everything he can about the martial arts.
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Karate helps Mike Gauthier deal with stress. |
?I really got into it when I was 15,? said Gauthier. ?I tried it and was hooked instantly.?
Gauthier?s father is Don Gauthier, a seventh degree black belt, who co-operates the Oriental Arts Academy and is a well respected man throughout the community.
His father?s passion and desire coursed through the young Gauthier?s blood and inspired him to take up karate.
?I was always into sports, and my father took martial arts, so that inspired me to take it.?
In Gauthier?s 12 years in the arts he has earned his second degree black belt. He has been a black belt for eight years.
?I demand more from him because he?s my son,? said Don Gauthier. ?I expect him to stay in it and master the art.?
A lot of time and work has been put into earning his black belt status.
?It takes a minimum four-and-half years to earn a half degree black belt,? said Gauthier. ?It takes time and dedication.?
When the stresses of life are hounding Gauthier, karate relieves the tension.
?It?s a big stress reliever and everything stays out of the dojo,? said Gauthier. ?Everybody here has a great attitude, so it?s great being surrounded by these people.?
Walking through the doors of the academy has never once disappointed Gauthier.
?You never walk out of class feeling let down,? said Gauthier. ?I?ve never left here saying I wish I was never there.?
Gauthier has many memories of his years in the arts, but one from way back when he started still sticks out in his mind.
It was his first tournament when he was a white belt at 15 years of age. He faced an opponent 10 years older than him.
?The guy was huge and had a great, big square jaw,? said Gauthier. ?I thought the guy was going to kill me.?
?I went in there and won,? said Gauthier. ?Being scared really motivated me.?
Receiving his second degree black belt status was another highlight.
Gauthier also has a brown belt in jiu jitsu and just recently started studying Matayoshi Kobudo, a
formalized style using weapons. He also practises Tai Chi.
?Karate has taught me to be a better person and get a better handle on life,? said Gauthier. ?There?s no disadvantage to taking karate.?
Gauthier has graduated from law school at The University of Western Ontario. He did his fourth year at Leiden University in Amsterdam focusing on international law and politics. He has passed the bar exam and will be called to the bar next month for the official ceremonies.
