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Privilege and Krav Maga
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
June 20, 2025, Israel
Visiting with my teacher, Grand Master, Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama, may he rest in peace.
Are some people born with Krav Maga privilege? Perhaps, or perhaps not. I have observed many thousands of students, practitioners and instructors over the years, all over the world. I have observed, and made observations.
Some people are certainly born with advantages; they are tall, naturally strong, talented, coordinated, intelligent, have a family that supports their training, have a good training facility near their home and ample time and money to train. All those are certainly potential advantages, note that I say "potential" advantages, as they could also be disadvantages.
I have seen those with such advantages, initially, it does put them ahead of the pact, but in the long run there are other factors that are more important. The key factors are Determination, Motivation, Desire, Discipline. They outride all the other factors.
But there is another great advantage, and that is disadvantages. Yes, that sounds strange, and self-contradictory, but I believe it to be true. In the movie Lionheart, written by a dear friend of mine, when Leon decides that he really must train, he checks himself out of the fancy hotel and moves into a dump, he had to be "hard", he had to be hungry. When Rocky starts out, he has every disadvantage in the world, he has a bitter and hard life, this is a big advantage in his training. In the film Kickboxer, the American is at a huge disadvantaged in comparison with his Thai opponent who grew up in poverty. Hard times make strong men. Yes, these are only movies, but the idea is true. A comfy life does not a great fighter make. You need to be hungry, you need to feel pain, you need disadvantages.
The great era of Jewish boxers in America was only the first generation; the generation of poor and disadvantaged immigrants who lived in the poverty of the slums of New York and Chicago, the Lower East Side, the tenements. Today the only great Jewish boxers in the USA are immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, who grew up in poverty.
Thus, the privilege of an easy life is not a great advantage in the career of a martial artist, or a fighter. The point I want to make is, do not feel angry over "disadvantages", do not feel I was born imperfect. It is OK to be less than perfect, it is OK to suffer, it is OK to be hungry and angry. It is OK to begin with a disadvantage, that is the message, but the key is - Identify your disadvantage and turn into an advantage.
I believe if we first identify our disadvantage and then learn how to turn that into an advantage, we will be on the path to success.
Are you physically weak? develop techniques that work for a weaker person.
Are you a slow learner? Develop techniques that are easy to learn.
Are you easily intimidated? Learn how to face your fears and then you will be able to guide others who are also intimidated. You will be able to guide them on the path that you have already been through. Your disadvantage is an advantage.
Do you forget things easily? Develop techniques that are not based on memory but based on concepts or instincts.
Are you physically slow? Develop instinctive moves that anyone can do quickly. When we accidently put our hand in a pot of boiling water - see how fast we all are? We can muster this natural speed.
When you start developing these skills you will have developed an Above Average Skill Set, and this will set you apart from others. This I learned from Prof. Arthur Cohen of Blessed Memory - If you work hard enough on any topic, you will become an expert, and others will seek your advice. Prof. Cohen was never a police officer but he became such an expert on crime and criminal behavior that the police consulted with him and invited him to lecture on these topics. Apply yourself to any topic and you can succeed.
Courage - You must have the courage to train. You must have the courage to enter the Zone where you are uncomfortable. When I began training at the Oyama dojo in Manhattan, that is how I felt. I recall the feeling very well, walking in, seeing fit, athletic guys, breaking boards, doing spinning jump kicks, but I walked in! I walked in and was determined to be the most dedicated student in the dojo; I was there five days per week.
Courage to be dedicated, to be outside your comfort zone.
Many years later I returned to the dojo, not as a timid guest but as an honored fellow instructor. The grand master himself sat down to talk to me, I will never forget that moment; I had earned his respect. We just sat on the hard benches in the locker room and chatted, he shared some wisdom, advice.
Work hard, develop your skill set, become a true leader, and others will seek your advice. And remember, every disadvantage is an advantage.
Training with my teacher, mentor, and friend, Prof. Arthur Cohen of Blessed Memory,
Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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