Jon Stankowski

Glenn Harrison

Scott Mullins

Jose Otero

Glenn Kwan

Steve Popieski

	Interview Master Pat Devore Style: Goshin Jutsu Rank: Roku dan (6th) School: I hang out at Master Mullins school when I can, but I have gi, will travel

Q. How long have you been practicing the Martial Arts?

A. I started in 1973.

Q. How has your karate changed over the years?

A. Well I hope it has gotten better. I don't trip as often as I did, and I don't get hit quite as much.

Q. Who have you studied under?

A. I can not state this strongly enough, Grand Master Capela has been my instructor since the day I started. And with total respect I would like to say "What you see in him now is what I saw back in 1973." I was there in the old days when Grand Master Durant was teaching many good students. I saw first hand in the dojo, at clinics and tournaments many of those good students perform. Yes, many of them were and still are
very good, but none, not one were/are on the level Grand Master Capela was, and still is on.
As far as other instructors, it would be impossible to list all of them for I have had the great fortune of learning from everyone that I have ever practice with. From very senior black belts to a very junior white belt. I have been very lucky to have practice in Southern California, Florida, Hawaii and three different places in Japan. But there's no place like Union City, PA.


Q. What are your personal beliefs about training?

I have many personal ideas/beliefs about training, I'm not sure they are good for everyone, but they have helped me greatly. Here are only four:
a) I look at training as a four step process:
1) form; learn the stances and the movement of Kata and how it works
2) movement; practice the Kata and all the movements to become fluid
3) reflex; know the movements so well and do them so often that they become a reflex rather than a concentrated thought
4) perfection; strive for perfection, but be happy with excellence

b) When I do Kata, I strive to become graceful

c) When I do Kumite, I strive to improve, not to win

d) And I have learned that you can work too hard and long on things. That you do need to stop and rest and think about things if you really want to improve. Then try it again. But never stop.


Q. What do you feel is the proper ratio of kata to kumite in training?

A. I don't think about a ratio as such. I think it is necessary to practice Kata first to learn how to move before you ever attempt Kumite.
I have never tried anything during Kumite that I have not tried many many times first either in a Kata or Waza. This does not mean that one should learn every Kata before they try Kumite.


Q. Do you have any funny or interesting karate stories that you would like to share?

A. Stories, yes I have many, but there is one that haunts me the most. You may not find it that exciting but when I look back on it, it is the best fight I have ever won since studying Goshin Jutsu.
I had just received my Shodan a few months earlier and was out at a McDonalds with my girl friend (now wife). While we were eating, a car with four men pulled into the parking lot. They parked next to my car, which was a 1957 Thunderbird which I had fully restored. I always sat where I could see the car. I watched as the four men started to look my car over.
Then one of them grabbed the rear fender and started to shake the car very hard.
I immediately got up and went outside. As I was walking across the parking lot toward the men I shouted "If you want to grab something, grab me, but don't touch my car."
They turned toward me and started walking in my direction. I could see in their eyes and the way
they were coming that this was not going to go very well. The guy in the lead was quite large and yelled to me as we were getting closer, "You say something to me?"
The next thing I heard was my girl friends voice coming from behind me. A sweet voice without a bit of concern said, "Pat, don't hurt them, they didn't mean any harm." That was all she said.
The four men stopped in their tracks. I watched them go from looking at me, to looking over my shoulder at her. They instantly realized that she had no fear of me being hurt and that they were the ones that she
worried for.
As we stood there, their eyes had changed. The large one spoke, "Sorry, we didn't mean anything. We wanted to know if the car was a fiberglass kit car. " Another one spoke up and said, "Yeah, sorry about the misunderstanding, we didn't mean any harm." They turned, headed back to their car and left. I didn't know whether to be mad at my girl friend or happy.I can say this now looking back after many years, I am thrilled she saved me.

Q. How do you feel about full contact kick boxing and the mixed martial arts?

A. I am not for full contact anything. I have been to the Philippines and watched many true full contact matches. I do not look at Karate as a sport. I see it as a martial art, something to be respected and treated properly. This does not mean I do not have fun with it. Ask anyone I have worked out with.

Q. Could you tell us a little about your school?

A. I do not have a school, but Master Mullins’ school is very well run and produces very good practitioners.

Q. Do you have any programs or events that you would like to promote or talk about?

A. Anything "Goshin Jutsu" is worth the time and effort.

Q. Is there any one you would like to thank or send a
message to?
A. To all my past, present and future martial arts that have or will work out with me. Thank you for your time, patience and understanding.

Q. Do you have any advise for the karate students who
will read this?
A. Work hard, rest well and make it fun.

Q. Thank you for your time.
A. Sure, anytime!