Five minutes with Michael Tait
From: Wick.
Club: Wick Tora-Kai Karate Club.
Age: 52.
Occupation: Facility manager at Dounreay.
How long have you been involved in karate?
I began training in Shorinji Kempo full-contact karate in 1981. I began Shotokan in 1984. I still teach some elements of Kempo in our classes at present.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in the sport?
Coaching our junior team pools to team gold in the 1999 national championships. We also had medallists in every single individual category that year. Being awarded 4th Dan by Sensei Kawasoe in 2006 is also a highlight for me.
How does karate differ to other martial arts?
That’s a difficult question. I am not familiar enough with other martial arts to make a detailed comparison but it’s fair to say karate itself differs from place to place. It all depends on the coaching and the governing body principles. If taught and trained in correctly, karate is a very effective fighting system. But that can be said for many arts.
What do you enjoy about karate?
The diversity of the people I have met, from theology professors to arms dealers! It really is an international community!
What are your strengths?
You’ll need to ask some previous opponents. Seriously, I have always been a good communicator. I am also totally obsessed with karate which some may argue is not really a strength.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
My instructor, Sensei Kawasoe, once told me that as you get older you have to alter your training methods. For example a 40 (or 50) year-old does not train in the same way as say a 20-something. Changing your regime allows you to train and continue to develop into middle age and beyond.
Away from karate, how do you like to spend your time?
Recovering from injury!
What other sports are you interested in?
Football, boxing, Formula 1 and ice hockey.
Who is your sporting hero and why?
Danny McGrain of Celtic. He overcame the limitations of diabetes to perform at the highest level in football and was credited as being the best fullback in the world at the time by Pele, no less. Predictably, I also have a soft spot for Muhammad Ali.
Why should more people take up karate?
So they can give their thumbs a rest off the XBox.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that some of our young black belts continue to develop and become coaches in their own right either right here in Caithness or wherever their chosen path takes them.
I also hope to visit and train in Japan at some point.
How can people get involved in Wick Tora-Kai Karate?
Come along to the Assembly Rooms. We run classes for adult beginners on Monday nights at 7pm. There are also classes on a Wednesday at 7pm and classes on Saturdays for senior grades, intermediates and a children’s class at midday. Call 01955 605865.