Not Just Where But How...

This is Marsh’s Library in Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1707, it is the oldest public library in Ireland. As Beautiful as it is Aged. For all intents and purposes, it is exactly where you would traditionally go to seek answers, and “find knowledge”. 
Knowledge is not necessarily centrally located, nor must it be written in ancient tomes to have value. As I was searching for something else this morning, I came across a video I’ve seen a dozen times or more and I probably watched on a “Wide Wide World of Sports” episode a hundred years ago. The video was of an exhibition kickboxing match between Rick Roufus and Changpuek Kietsongrit with modified rules of no elbows, no throws, and the clinch would be an intermediate rest position (no upper body strikes or knees). Roufus, an American Kickboxing Champ, was there to show just how superior American Kickboxing was to Muay Thai.

That was not what happened. Though Rick broke Changpuek’s jaw in the first round (so much for exhibition), Changpuek weathered the first round and the heavy hands of a heavier, motivated opponent who was trying to close the deal early. Round Two Changpuek came out and started taking Rick’s legs out with low leg kicks to his base and lead legs. American Kickboxing did not allow these kicks and viewed them as “unskilled” techniques. As much as Changpuek’s grit was tested in the first round, Rick’s was tested in the next two. Without any answers and no defense, Rick was surviving on heart alone. His movement slowed by bruised legs and punches uncharacteristically telegraphed, it was hard to watch as Rick took kick after kick from his smaller yet powerful opponent. Shortly into the third round, Rick is put down with a kick as he’s attempting a spinning backfist or kick and the referee calls the fight. Rick is carried from the ring on a stretcher and isn’t available to talk to the camera. His 18-year-old brother and corner man, Jeff or “Duke” is, however. Jeff remarks that his brother won the first round, there were several fouls, and there was nothing to do about the low kicks. “Typical” you might say. If the story ended there you’d be right. Something happened shortly after that fight that makes this story worth retelling in the Combat Sports world and everywhere else. Soon after his brother’s fight, Jeff went to a Muay Thai seminar that focused on low kicks - and completely changed his opinion. He soon after left to train in Thailand. Jeffrey “Duke” Roufus went on to become a World Super Heavyweight Thai Champ and a World-Renown Thai Boxing and Striking Coach.

Knowledge is where you find it. Sometimes it comes veiled in surprise. Sometimes it will shake the core of your belief systems. Sometimes it will completely change the way you “fight” things from there on out. Your true challenge is to recognize it, to accept it and to let it change what needs changed to make you better. So many will see that better option, the smarter choice, and still hang on to their old ways, denying what their own eyes just witnessed. We hold fast to our beliefs, our values, and old ways - but when something becomes a hinderance and we see the better answer, we MUST grab it and make it ours. Hold it fast until it’s time to let that go, too. You aren’t investing in that “thing/way/opinion” - you’re investing in YOURSELF. Know the difference.


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