Why did you start martial arts?
My father who was at the time a serving police officer and an active member of the police Judo club took me to my first Judo club at the age of 8 as a possible outlet for my excess energy and disruptive behaviour.
What do you think is the greatest benefit they offer?
Discipline, Health and fitness, social understanding and of course the self defence element.
What is your greatest achievement?
My induction in October 2001 to combat magazine’s Black Belt Hall of Fame
Can martial arts be a guiding light for society?
Yes, most definitely in many respects. In particular, giving people a sense of direction, confidence and responsibility.
What’s your favourite technique?
This is a difficult one as I have many, but I guess any pistol or knife disarm technique.
What’s your favourite pattern?
Once again, this is a difficult one as I have never personally liked or subscribed to patterns within the martial arts.
What’s the funniest moment you can think of?
Watching two of my senior students, whilst attempting their Dan grade, falling through a set of fire doors into the street during a particularly lively bout of milling.
What’s the worst injury you’ve suffered?
Broken ribs and the inevitable dislodged tooth.
Where would you like to see martial arts in 25 years?
I would like to see the martial arts receiving considerably more television coverage and many of our very talented instructors in this country receiving just recognition for their skill, coaching ability and dedication to their chosen art.
How would you like to be remembered?
Once again, this is a very difficult one, but I guess I would like to be remembered most as someone who did everything humanly possible to remove the political cancer from within his own international organisation in an effort to encourage others to follow suit.
Matthew Sylvester 
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