Another remarkable first for Dorfman

JACK MILNER

Malcolm Dorfman, fit as ever at the age of 70, has achieved something that has not existed before in his karate organisation – a ninth Dan. “In our world organisation, the KWF world body, eighth Dan is actually considered to be the limit,” explains Malcolm.

“However, there are two positions at the head of the organisation. One is the Deputy Grand Master and the other is the Grand Master. The legendary Mikio Yahara is the Grand Master of the KWF world body.

“In order to get ninth Dan there are two things you need. Firstly you need to be appointed Deputy Grand Master and the other thing is you have to pass the examination to achieve the rank of ninth Dan.

“In other organisations, ninth Dan is merely an award, but in our organisation we do not accept awards. We have to go on the mat and present a physical demonstration of our prowess.”

So, Malcolm went before a Saiko Shihan (supreme master) panel, made up of the seventh and eighth Dans of the organisation which took place at the end of September in Malta.

“In order to be considered for a ninth Dan, you obviously first have to be an eighth Dan, you have to be an A-class examiner, an A-class referee and an A-class instructor. 

“You also have to have held your eighth Dan for several years – I have held mine for 17,” said Malcolm.

Every two years the KWF have a world conference and world cup where the international gradings are held. “For the first time ever, a ninth Dan grading was held. I am also the first-ever westerner to be graded ninth Dan by a legitimate Japan-based mainline Shotokan organisation,” he added.

He is also the organisation’s Deputy Grand Master. Getting this title, came about because the Japanese headquarters revamped their regulations and rules, changing the name of Chief Instructor, to Grand Master and Assistant Chief Instructor to Deputy Grand Master. “They felt that in a prestigious organisation, its leaders should have a title that reflects their status.”

That means the Grand Master would be a 10th Dan but at this stage the Grand Master has still to undergo his examination before he can officially claim that honour.  “I cannot imagine that Yahara Sensei failing the examination.”

When Malcolm went through his examination, son Shane, who has also set karate records, assisted him to demonstrate in the Kumite (fighting) section of the grading. “Shane has made me very proud,” admits Malcolm of his 42-year-old son.  

Malcolm also reflected on his life and how much the sport has done for him. “I have had 58 years of martial arts training of which a bit more than 50 has been in karate.

“I have given my heart to karate. Success comes from hard work, it doesn’t come from magic. And if you’re fortunate to have some talent as well, then you have a pro. If I had my life all over again, I would virtually do the same thing, minus some of the mistakes I’ve made along the way.

“I had my ups and downs. There were many obstacles in my karate life, but I fought to overcome them. In principle I would not change my lifestyle for any other. I wake up every morning and I’m very grateful, for who I am, what I am and what I’ve remained.”

Malcolm puts that all down to three factors – good genes, training methodically while scientifically monitoring his training to ensure there was a minimum of abuse on his body and finally, being fortunate never to have been inflicted with any dread disease.

He also looks back and in many ways is sad to see what karate has become. “The modern karate is very sport-orientated. It’s about winning tournaments, winning medals, which is totally opposite of what karate originally was.

“Mikio Yahara Sensei is a descendant of the samurai, so he wants to keep alive the total essence of the real karate. He likes my attitude, because I think the same way as him. We are probably the most, what we call ‘budo-orientated’ karate organisation in the world.”

That is karate as a true martial art and not as a martial art done as sport. “Things like the Olympics destroy it because then it becomes commercial. There are millions of dollars attached to it. It’s about standing on the rostrum and getting a medal.

“We still have a tournament, but you are only allowed to score one point, and that has to be a killing blow.

“It’s very much like two samurai facing one another. You look for that one opportunity to spot the weakness in your opponent and then you deliver that killing blow – controlled, of course.

“Sport karate becomes like a game of football where you are just trying to score goals.

“It is the art of karate that we are keeping alive in the world. The only difference between the karate of old and what we do, is that today we have a better idea of training methods because of the modern exercise regimes. But the core remains the same.”