About Old Man Kumite

The true origins of Old Man Kumite have (OMK) been lost in the annals of history. Old men, since the beginning of time, have tested their resolve by engaging in tests of strength, endurance, and intelligence. It was only the wisest and most dedicated of our species that persevered through the centuries, were hardened by these earthly trials, and survived to pass down the secrets of the Kumite to future generations of old men.   The more modern history of Old Man Kumite is a story born of a fiery anger. This anger was hurled at a group of old men (and one old woman) who were simply seeking some light in a world that seemed so steeped in darkness.       

Late in the year, around 2008, a kid’s jiu-jitsu class in North Raleigh was just starting to pick up steam with regular attendance. During the class, a couple of the parents that also trained jiu-jitsu started using a little corner of the mat space to roll/drill. This started small and was not much of a distraction. Several of the kids’ instructors would actually ask us to help at times, and we never refused their requests for charity. However, not long after it started, the size of the small group grew. Several people, some of which may have had appearances of questionable character, but always with hearts pure as a Nordic snow, started to occasionally stop by for early rolls.    

This small corner of the mat soon became a full quarter, and then almost half of the mat space the kid’s class was occupying. It didn’t take long before the instructors started getting annoyed, and the frequent outbursts of profanity and laughter started provoking complaints from non-participating (unathletic, loser) parents. When the head black belt got involved, the heat that forged the iron of OMK was ignited. There was several weeks& months of this black belt (we’ll call him “Jay” for anonymity) telling us to ‘keep it down, stop saying fuck, and stop distracting the kids,’. Finally, one day Jay lost his shit and yelled “stay off the fucking mats during kid’s class. God dammit, I’m serious.” Those of us at the time talked it through, we agreed that Jay was serious.     But alas, even the fear that was struck into our hearts by an angry black belt could not quench the thirst for knowledge that was born on that small corner of the mat. For days we roamed around the gym, looking for spaces to put mats. Behind walls, in empty corners & unused offices…we found the dark and forgotten places around the gym and filled them with laughter and light. It was beautiful until, unfortunately, Jay yelled at us again.       

But then it happened. As though destined to be found like we were led from the hand of God himself, out of a back room walked the other head black belt (we’ll call him “Bill” for anonymity). Bill had just finished up giving a private lesson and was exiting a relatively ignored back room. Behind the open door we noticed several mats placed down on the ground…and like a lost peoples after 40 years wandering around a desert, we saw the promised land…an oasis for our tired feet.  One of the weary travelers gently asked Bill, “do you mind if we roll back there when you’re not using it?” And Bill, with a mouth full of chew and the unmistakable look of ‘why are you talking to me’ said, “I don’t fucking care what you do just stay off my mats,” and walked away.   It was with those simple, yet powerful words of encouragement that this generation of Old Man Kumite was born.   Once OMK found its birthplace, it became a highly sought-after laboratory of high-level skill development. A core group of regulars was often complimented by a large and diverse group of visitors. The battles that took place in that room were legendary and remain etched into the minds of the warriors who experienced them.   

But as is the way with men, when small groups are formed and become powerful, the powerful groups try to extinguish their light. And so, it was with OMK.   Before long, the OMK started to become so popular that people would attend the Kumite and leave before actual jiu-jitsu class. Apparently, warm-ups and boring drills were no match for the battles of Gods that took place in that small room before class. The head black belts, watching the rise of the underground, started to verbally assault members for missing class. On one such occasion, Black Belt Bill famously said, of our backroom and clandestine training, “you guys are all getting tougher, but your jiu-jitsu isn’t getting any better.” We were all extremely excited that a black belt thought we were getting tougher!   Over the years, Old Man Kumite has continued to move between being underground and in the public eye. Of the original and core members can be counted several Royce black belts, a Roger black belt and a Ralph black belt. Other founding members are not as accomplished, but probably more handsome.   Today, OMK is said to be active somewhere in the Wake Forest area and can be accessed by invitation only. To learn more, find a grizzled old upper belt and whisper in their ear: “where can I find the Old Man Kumite.”   

Maybe you’ll learn something. Maybe you’ll make choke.