Martial arts saved the boy, made the man

***image2***Michael Loveless is a regular face around the KMC. He is the supply and building manager at Ramstein Intermediate School, the owner and head instructor of Loveless Academy of Martial arts and a martial arts instructor at the Ramstein Youth Center. He regularly shares his story and expertise with the youth as a way to teach them how to overcome adversity.

“In school I was many times the victim of bullying,” said Mr. Loveless. “My grades were down and my confidence and self esteem were totally lacking. One day, a Karate school opened up across from the high school I was attending. This was to become a life-turning event. No longer did I let the bullies take advantage of me. I learned techniques, which would often stop them in their tracks before we had to go into a physical altercation. I think though the main deterrent to the bullying was my increased self-confidence and self-worth. I carried myself differently, I no longer looked like a victim.”

He earned a fifth-degree black belt in Okinawa Goju ryu, a third-degree black belt in Okinawa Shudokan Karate and a third-degree black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo. Now, he is the coach for the WKA’s German National Teams Traditional competitors and has won three bronze medals. He is committed to helping children. In 1982 he opened his first dojo school in Germany. Now, he has five schools with about 300 students.