Kungfoolss
07-12-2003, 03:54 AM
A Matter of degree: 70-year-old enjoys black belt in karate
By MARK I. JOHNSON
Staff Writer
Last update: 12 July 2003
EDGEWATER --At age 70, Richard Schraeder still gets a kick out of life. He proved that recently when he traveled to Punta Gorda for three days of testing needed to earn a black belt in Okinawa-based Uechi-Ryu karate. Walking down the street, one might not picture Schraeder as being able to break a board with his fist. At 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing in at 192 pounds, the senior citizen tends to blend in with his peers. He shows all outward signs of his age -- wrinkles, liver spots and more skin than hair on his head -- but carries himself with confidence.
"I know I can defend myself and my wife. That means a lot to me," the Hacienda Del Rio resident said. However, Schraeder stresses his form of karate is about defense rather than offense. "This is not Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee," he said. "We are not here to attack anyone. When confronted, you are supposed to back off but, when you are attacked, you can stop it and defend yourself." Schraeder found karate after moving to Southeast Volusia about three years ago from the Ocala area. Interested in staying physically fit, the retired newspaper distribution worker and his wife, Carol, started looking for a gym and found Nautilus by the Sea. Even with all the workout equipment, it was something going on in the back that caught Schraeder's attention -- Bob Otto's karate class. The two met and Otto, a New Smyrna Beach police officer and sixth-degree black belt, convinced Schraeder to give the sport a try, despite being more than six decades older than the youngest person in the class.
Today, Schraeder spends about 16 hours per week in training, which includes stretching, practicing his technique and sparring with his fellow students. While he concedes he does not have the strength he once did, Schraeder said karate has helped keep him flexible and makes him feel younger, especially when he is working out with his classmates. "They cheer me on and keep me going," he said. "Bob (Otto) puts me with everyone." Carol Schraeder said when her husband first expressed interest in martial arts, she told him to go for it but now says she did not realize the commitment the sport requires. "I thought it would be like me going to the gym," she said. Otto said having a student like Schraeder is rare. "He is the oldest person I have ever heard of being presented a black belt," he said. Otto is not the only person in the class to hold Schraeder in esteem. His black belt training partner, New Smyrna Beach resident Hanae Chamberlain, also voiced admiration for a man who is her senior by almost five decades.
The 24-year-old said she and Schraeder encouraged each other in their quest while giving each other a few whacks. "I whacked him because he whacked me," Chamberlain said with a smile. "I got her with a roundhouse kick (to the hip)," Schraeder said. "Then she got me with a toe kick to the stomach." Otto said while karate can be for anyone of almost any age, when you have a student like Schraeder, truism is reinforced. "Age does not matter," he said.
mark.johnson@news-jrnl.com
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Neighbors/DailyJournal/03AreaDJ02071203.htm
By MARK I. JOHNSON
Staff Writer
Last update: 12 July 2003
EDGEWATER --At age 70, Richard Schraeder still gets a kick out of life. He proved that recently when he traveled to Punta Gorda for three days of testing needed to earn a black belt in Okinawa-based Uechi-Ryu karate. Walking down the street, one might not picture Schraeder as being able to break a board with his fist. At 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing in at 192 pounds, the senior citizen tends to blend in with his peers. He shows all outward signs of his age -- wrinkles, liver spots and more skin than hair on his head -- but carries himself with confidence.
"I know I can defend myself and my wife. That means a lot to me," the Hacienda Del Rio resident said. However, Schraeder stresses his form of karate is about defense rather than offense. "This is not Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee," he said. "We are not here to attack anyone. When confronted, you are supposed to back off but, when you are attacked, you can stop it and defend yourself." Schraeder found karate after moving to Southeast Volusia about three years ago from the Ocala area. Interested in staying physically fit, the retired newspaper distribution worker and his wife, Carol, started looking for a gym and found Nautilus by the Sea. Even with all the workout equipment, it was something going on in the back that caught Schraeder's attention -- Bob Otto's karate class. The two met and Otto, a New Smyrna Beach police officer and sixth-degree black belt, convinced Schraeder to give the sport a try, despite being more than six decades older than the youngest person in the class.
Today, Schraeder spends about 16 hours per week in training, which includes stretching, practicing his technique and sparring with his fellow students. While he concedes he does not have the strength he once did, Schraeder said karate has helped keep him flexible and makes him feel younger, especially when he is working out with his classmates. "They cheer me on and keep me going," he said. "Bob (Otto) puts me with everyone." Carol Schraeder said when her husband first expressed interest in martial arts, she told him to go for it but now says she did not realize the commitment the sport requires. "I thought it would be like me going to the gym," she said. Otto said having a student like Schraeder is rare. "He is the oldest person I have ever heard of being presented a black belt," he said. Otto is not the only person in the class to hold Schraeder in esteem. His black belt training partner, New Smyrna Beach resident Hanae Chamberlain, also voiced admiration for a man who is her senior by almost five decades.
The 24-year-old said she and Schraeder encouraged each other in their quest while giving each other a few whacks. "I whacked him because he whacked me," Chamberlain said with a smile. "I got her with a roundhouse kick (to the hip)," Schraeder said. "Then she got me with a toe kick to the stomach." Otto said while karate can be for anyone of almost any age, when you have a student like Schraeder, truism is reinforced. "Age does not matter," he said.
mark.johnson@news-jrnl.com
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Neighbors/DailyJournal/03AreaDJ02071203.htm
