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FEATURE STORY

Michael Welch Exclusive Interview
by Rachel Chisman

August 1, 2004 Interview with Michael Welch

Karate Fest, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 

RC:  This Rachel Chisman reporting for KarateAngels.com.  I am in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at the Karate Fest tournament, talking with Michael Welch, grand champion in the men’s forms and weapons division.  So, tell me Mike, how was today’s competition?

MW: Competition was good, it was really good.  There were a lot of bo guys, Nick Schilling, Rudy Cornell, that really pushed me in the weapons in general.  I think I had an edge on them, a little more intensity in both the weapons and the open-hand forms, but it was anybody’s game, and I came out on top.

RC: Who was your fiercest competition, and how do you think you were able to win over them? 

MW:  I would say in the grands it was Anthony Maratta, he’s real clean, he’s real crisp, I think I just had higher difficulty.  I gave it to the crowd a little bit more than he did.  I had a little more flash and a little more difficulty, and I think it’s what gave me the edge.   

RC:  How long have you been working on your winning form?

MW: I’ve actually been doing this form for a little over a year, so I’m getting more comfortable and confident with it.  It’s coming more natural to me, that’s why I’ve been able to hit it so well. 

RC:  How often did you practice it? 

MW: I get practice at every tournament I go to.  I go to quite a few tournaments, so that helps, but I try to run through my form at least two or three times a week I try to go through all my forms, and full out at least one time, and that keeps me confident.  If I can end a workout on a high note, if I can end a tournament on a high note, that gives me that much more confidence.  That’s really what it’s all about for me, is just making sure that I know that I can hit it.

RC: What would you say to all the kids out there in cyberspace who are in karate already and want to be able to take it to the next level, like you? 

MW: They have to push it!  If you want to get faster, you have to train fast.  If you want to get stronger, you have to train with power.  Most people think that they’ve done 100%, but they’ve really never pushed themselves that hard.  The difference between 100% and what they think is their best is the intensity level, and exactly how fast and strong you go.  When you do 100%, I’ve seen students do it for the first time and all of their emotions come out and they burst into tears in the middle of their form!  It’s because they put themselves in the zone, and they fire it up that much, and that’s really what it takes.  You have to have someone to push you and you have to listen to them.  And YOU have to want it.  If you don’t want it, you aren’t going to get there. 

RC: Is there anything else you’d like to tell the Karate Angels? 

MW: Just that KarateAngels.com is an awesome website and Rachel is an awesome interviewer!  So you guys remember that, and keep kickin.  The best way to get better is to get with your friends and challenge each other.

RC:  Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today and congratulations again on your grand championship.  This is Rachel Chisman for KarateAngels.com, signing off.