Marco Morabito - part 2

Marco Morabito - part 1

What brought you to criticize your preparation?

"At the time, began to engage in a series of fights to bet. These were meetings did not took place in our country and in situations not always "controlled" from the sporting point of view. Illegal fighting, so to speak.

In these comparisons, very often, you were not fighting for money: to prize could put the valuable objects, or symbols of strength such as belts or medals won in other tournaments. In France, near Marseille, I fought against severals military members of the Foreign Legion. It was with mixed match, of course, which was also the lawful use of arms or sticks. The third encounter was fatal to me. For fatigue I could not dodge a blow that baptized me directly on the forehead. This is an experience that I "marked" both physically and psychologically. Physically forced me to cure myself a big cocoon on the forehead; psychologically impelled me to search for other types of preparations to fight a modern combat and full of dirty hits or unexpected. "

What other types of Japanese arts do you know?

"In addition to traditional karate, I studied with the founder of modern style called Koroho: master Masashi Yokoyama.This teacher has a high regard in his country. He becomes from of a noble family tradition in the art of Karate. He was marked by passing the traditional techniques, giving an impression of very special to his fighting style.In his practice, the classic hits are developed with new forms adapted to the demands imposed by modern weapons and combat styles developed by the Israeli army.This teacher has become famous in Japan for a specific episode: he saved the life of a senior official of the Japanese government on a mission abroad having disarmed and killed an armed aggressor.

After practicing with him in Japan I organized a trip to Genoa where he came with seven of his masters in order to lay the groundwork for the founding of the European Federation of Koroho. In this federation I have been vice president for a while. "

Morabito realizes that in a real fight, where modern weapons can be used to intimidate, the techniques learned can be effective not being tied to rigid schematism.

Try then many disciplines up to lead to a very particular style of combat: Krav maga.

What is Krav Maga?

The Krav Maga (self defense) is a system of fighting techniques and survival were born in Israel in the first half of the twentieth century thanks to an army officer, Imi Lichtenfeld, expert fighting techniques.The term "Krav Maga", literally means "contact combat".

Who created the Krav Maga?

This system was created by request of the Israeli government.Indeed, given the historical problems associated with the birth of Israel, these people felt the need to develop an efficient way of fighting and quick to learn, to train the fledgling Israeli special forces now engaged in a fierce struggle invasion. The experience of Lichtenfeld heavily influenced the style and philosophy of Krav Maga. Great gymnast, boxer and champion of wrestling, Lichtenfeld added to the theoretical foundation of a great street fighting experience, gained in a youth spent in the struggle for life in the alleys of his native country, then occupied by the Nazis.

In fact, Imi Lichtenfeld was born in Budapest in 1910, but grew up in Bratislava, which was then the capital of Slovakia.Great athlete, to the thirties was found to hone his fighting techniques having to address the rise of Nazi anti-Semitism. On the streets,together with some friends, formed a group that is trained specifically to clashes with gangs growing number of anti-Semites. In 1940 he left Bratislava and fled to Palestine, fleeing the Holocaust. In 1944 he participated in the establishment of the Israeli army, training of elite units. He put himself at the disposal of the Israeli defense force his combat experience helping to forge the legend of the Israeli special units. After years of serving the army he withdrew, however, not giving up the idea to disseminate the techniques learned and refined over the years. Therefore, he adapted the Krav Maga for civilian purposes to make it feasible even for women and youngsters, in order to allow each person to move freely in any environment.

Why the Krav Maga stuggers you?

I immediately noticed that it was a fighting style fits all - Morabito told us - and it was very effective. His techniques are well suited to the natural movement of the human body and its philosophy it is interesting. Unlike other martial arts that are often limited to be defensive, the Krav Maga provides an offensive approach. Oriental martial techniques tend to stay pending a first move of the opponent and then develop responses to attack. With Krav maga, however, it is anticipating the attack in favor of a quick victory by focusing on the vital points of the opponent.

 How were your beginnings in learning this discipline?

The first training in the use of this discipline it was afar from my country, Italy - Morabito told us - and that it was difficult to be admitted to the course. I was first subjected to a series of physical tests rather heavy. For example, I had to perform a series of push ups on my fists in a slope of kicks from a trainer at my side. I passed the tests thanks to my previous workouts and my preparation. It´easy to understand that these workouts do not present some "theoretical" or "philosophical", but they were military-style based on the physical and psychological resistance.

When I finally was accepted, I found myself face to face with the instructor who was a prominent official in the Mossad. In the first fight I had with him, I quickly realized that I was not being able to do nothing, or almost, in spite of my preparation.

Not only was I in trouble with the techniques, but also from a mental point of view was not at all easy to prepare a defense of some significance.

I can say that in the first fight I was literally" destroyed ". The officer left me after she hit the ground with a swift kick to the groin and powerful. Luckily I wore caps, but the blow has left me on the ground for some time breathless. The officer, after having fought, sat drinking a cold beer.

Today I saw my first coach in action during a stage. Years later, while I still feel gratitude towards him, I realized the measure of my improvements both in terms of power and in terms of speed. What time was a shock, now I recognize it as an important step in my growth that I then developed with great awareness.

Marco Morabito - part 3