Steven Fyffe
Here’s one for realz!
There’s a vid too, if you follow the link.
Blind pensioner becomes martial arts master years after taking up judo to tackle bullies
14:26, 18 FEB 2016 UPDATED 14:27, 18 FEB 2016
BY OLIVER PRITCHARD
Steven Fyffe is now one of the country’s leading martial arts experts after taking up the sport in school
A totally-blind man has earned the title of one of the country’s leading martial arts experts after taking up the sport in school to tackle bullies.
Steve Fyffe, 65, has won a string of dan belts - given to people when they reach an expert level of competence in martial arts.
Last month he was awarded a fifth dan belt in aikido which he will add to his fourth dan belts in judo and yodokan as well as a first dan in Iaido.
He was born blind and took up judo when he was six after being bullied at school.
SWNS
Blind martial artist Steve FyffeBlind: Steve Fyffe was born without any sight in both his eyes
Steve is able to utilise all his other senses to detect opponents.
He claims this enables him to be able to sense an attack before it happens, and has allowed him to fight six people at once and come out on top.
Steve said: "I have never had to use my skills in a street fight but if someone was foolish enough to attack me they’d be in for a shock.
"In aikido we do multiple attacks. I can fight up to six people at a time. The hardest is four because they are coming at you from four different directions.
SWNS
Blind martial artist Steve FyffeSkill: Steve took up judo when he was in school
"When you have five or six you can block people with other bodies.
“I might look like a defenceless blind person but I’ve got skills and I can sense before an attack is going to happen. It might only be part of a second but it’s a huge advantage.”
Steve, of Norwich, Norfolk, was born totally blind and began learning judo when he was six years old because he was getting bullied at school.
He said: "I got teased quite a bit at school. There was no physical abuse, it was more mental but that still affects you.
SWNS
Blind martial artist Steve FyffeSenses: Steve was just six when he started being bullied by his classmates
"My father found out and thought that I should try out judo. He was in the navy and he always believed that no matter what happens to you, you have to look after yourself.
"He always said it doesn’t matter what difficulties you have in life, find a way to overcome them.
“I’ve always believed that too and that’s how I’ve lived my life.”
Steve began learning judo and quickly progressed through the belts, eventually earning a fourth dan belt in 1972.
He enjoyed judo but his passion is a lesser know martial art called aikido.
Loosely translated to a ‘way of adapting the spirit’, aikido was created by Japanese martial artist Morihei Ueshiba and is based purely on defensive skills.
SWNS
Blind martial artist Steve FyffePassion: Steve now practises aikido
Steve heard about the sport in the 1970s but it wasn’t until the mid 80s that he began taking part in it.
He earned his first dan felt in 1990 and was progressively awarded them until being awarded his fifth dan in January.
He said: "I liked it as soon as I got into it. It was great fun and I just kept at it.
"I always liked judo but I was far more committed to aikido. Its founder called it the art of peace which it is until you happen to be on the wrong end of it.
"I’ve never had to use my skills on anyone. I think it is because I am confident and if you are confident you aren’t vulnerable to attack.
“But that doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself. If someone started poking me in the chest they would hit the floor very quickly.”
As well as judo and aikido Steve practises iaido, cane, Jo, aiki sword, yodokan and tanto.
SWNS
Relaxed: Steve meditates for 40 minutes every day
He wakes up at 5.30am every morning and 300 knife cuts and meditates for 40 minutes every day.
He said: "Meditation is so important for the mind, body and soul. It is so relaxing to be able to focus on something and let everything else go.
"Martial arts are the best thing that ever happened to me. I do them to keep fit and healthy both mentally and physically.
Read more: ‘ADHD wrecked my life until I discovered judo’
“I also teach classes every week which lets me give something back to the community.”
Steve lives in Norwich with his two-year-old golden retriever Labrador cross called Fergus.
Anyone interested in joining Steve’s classes can visit his website at www.aikidofordailylife.co.uk/steve.html
