by Efthimis Koutsoukis (Mr EX)
I am journalist and publisher, so, due to my job, i am used to writing large texts, interviews and articles, as well as to quantity and hopefully quality of speaking… Recently, i also became Krav Maga Instructor and for this achievement i want to be brief but meaningful.
The “Spartan” way. Or more appropriately the Krav Maga way. Because, i actually think, Krav, among other things, is about efficiency, sharpness and result… Through my eyes, the most effective self-defense system, that applies perfectly to the actual and updated threats / dangers in our modern time. In order to get an idea, you can check out the site of IKMF (http://kravmaga-ikmf.com/) or IKMF Greece (http://www.kravmaga.gr/main/)
A system, an idea, a whole philosophy born from Israeli Grand Master, Imi Lichtenfeld.
Shortly, i practice Krav Maga for about 4 years. I would like to describe this unique experience like climbing a mountain. Starting from the bottom of it, elevating myself meter by meter… Every time more confident, more willing, more experienced. The first “guide” of this majestic journey is the Instructor Paris Samaras. The one who introduced me to Krav Maga and opened the path for this hard but pleasing adventure.
Ιn the beginning of this July, i was staring at the top of the mountain. The C.I.C. (Civilian Instructor Course), in Thessaloniki, was there… The final and more difficult… meters of this one of a life time up-route…
The first ten days of non-stop Krav Maga C.I.C. experience, i had the honor to be trained by the Instructor Andreas Burkert. “Gallons” of sweat, extra effort, heavy work… The right person for the right time and place. In a few words, motivating, enthusiastic, fully energetic! Andreas leveled up even more my passion for Krav Maga.
The necessary break and C.I.C. part 2 began… Instructor Shlomi Bouzaglo pointed at the top of the mountain… So clear, accurate, concrete and thorough! The principals, the last steps, the portrait of K.M. was finally drawn by him so vivid, so strong and thrilling… Shlomi was there when i got on top… The first view, while being a Krav Maga Instructor! Fascinated, joyful and in the meantime a great sense of responsibility, the feeling of being humble and hungry for more…
More knowledge, more practice & exercise, more sweat, more… climbing, more… blood flowing through my heart via K.M…! Just like the red-colored stripes of the new Instructor’s uniform…
So, i am there, on top, but i realized that this is only the base. It’s just one mountain, there are so many others… Waiting to test me, to get the best of me… I ‘ ll always look up to them. I am a human being, i have to look up, it’ s our nature to aim far, to have upper goals, to get better, higher…
Extra thanks to all my above mentioned friends for everything about teaching! It has been a great pleasure and i am sure we have a lot of things to share in this non-stop exciting trip! Truly happy to be an actual member of the IKMF family. Also thanks to Mrs Sofia Tsetseli for her always wise words, my co-participants in the C.I.C. and in the Krav Maga lessons all these years, my best friends and beloved ones, for their support.
As AC/DC, one of the best hard rock bands say: “It’ s a long way to the top, if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll”, in our case “Krav Maga”! And after the highest mountain, there is always the sky…!
One last, personal wish: I hope to be a good Instructor for my students and to make them better and safer people…
As Master Avi Moyal says: “So that one may walk in peace”…
Kida!