Real Street Fighting Moves

Master David D’ Antonio

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and have come to a mind blowing realization. That realization is that I must be doing something right. Here is why I have come to this conclusion:

I am 36 years old and have been actively involved in the martial arts since I was 5 years old, 31 years for those of you with no calculator handy! HAHA!

I have been teaching for quite some number of years now, and about ten years ago, a few people decided to go on a internet rant about how I was too young to teach, a fraud, no good at all and any other such nonsense they could come up with. I say nonsense because the majority of them had never once stepped into my dojo. This made me wonder how they could form such harsh opinions of someone they had never met.

This went on for a few years and at the time it really bothered me that people were saying all of these horrible things about me. I never showed them that it bothered me, but nonetheless it really did. It went from these people attacking my martial arts ability and credibility to making personal attacks against my physical appearance, marital status (being a single dad) and even a few death threats. Then after awhile it pretty much died down, other martial artists becoming the targets of these attacks.

With my popularity on the rise again, this time with much more zest than before, I have received a few negative comments. But funny thing, this time I actually loved the negative attention.  It was then that it hit me like a ton of bricks….

The reason for this is because I have seen over the past ten years that almost every MAJOR martial arts master in the spotlight has undergone the same sort of negative attacks from the same types of people. Those being JEALOUS individuals who can not stand to see anyone succeed. I had been included in the same group as the famous and prominately spotlighted masters. I am a success!

Now there is a serious difference between looking at someones technique and making a comment as to its effectiveness or tactical fortitude and outright attacking their character and ability. I will often give constructive criticism of a technique in hopes to open the eyes of the person doing it, should I see tactical errors that could get them killed in a confrontation should the same error be made. And yes at times I can be blunt to get my point across.

If a master chooses to contact me and has feedback or critique on my technique I listen because this is how we grow and learn. Any true martial artist should be open-minded and devoid of ego enough to not only accept but crave critique from other masters. However it is another story altogether to go on a slandering and insulting campaign against another martial artist. If you don’t like what they do that is your choice, but don’t attack them. Again there is a fine, yet quite defined line between constructive criticism and just being an asshole.

So with that said, I must take it as though I have finally made it. Seeing as all of the great names in the martial arts that have been the subject of critique and criticism and downright slander to all out threats, I am among a sacred fraternity of those whom others are jelous of and could only hope to be. This must surely be why so many criticize us so frequently.

Or we all must be just that damn good that we are constantly at the front of your mind occupying your thoughts and taking up your precious cyber-dojo time. Yes that must certainly be the case. Considering the fact that every successful and prominent master the world over has at one time or another gone under the gun of the critics, it must truly mean something amazing and special when I too have been included in the list of those criticized, it is like a hall of fame or a who’s who list.

So here is to the brotherhood of the best. It shows, you know you’re at the top when the others start to hate you.  Thanks for the criticism, thanks for the death threats (as empty as they are), thanks for making fun at me…it is because of you folks that I know I have achieved success and that you envy me. It just goes to show that insults are the best form of flattery!

David D’Antonio

“Be safe and keep it real.”