Dominant even with an artificial hip

Photo courtesy
At the center of the top photo, Danny Griffith and members of his team, have won all of their chips at a classic international karate presented in Ireland last fall.

Prisca Benoit

Monday, February 19, 2018 01:00

UPDATE
Monday, February 19, 2018 01:00

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A karateka in Montreal on the eve of the sixty accumulates the first places at the international, despite an artificial hip that he wears in the past five years.

With its 1315 fighting in the body, Danny Griffith won his 12th consecutive title in the 35 years and more at the World Martial Organization in Ireland last October. It is also his second gold medal in 42 years and more.

The team that he led this international competition has also been particularly well-published, winning no less than eleven medals in total.

There was no indication yet in 2005 as the owner of three schools of karate kenpo was going to be able to continue the competition. He had then had to be operated urgently at the hip for pain that persisted since 2003.

“My doctor told me that I had one leg longer than the other,” he says. I’ve come to use my hip to force him to undergo impacts with the sport. “

The pain persisted despite the surgery, forcing them to completely stop the sport for seven years.

“I lived in pain for 10 years of my life. It has affected my work and my relationships because I was always hurt, ” he said.

Its second operation in 2012 was a success, the pain was finally part. As soon as back on foot, he renfilé his kimono and resumed the fighting.

Photo Ben Pelosse

You see Mr. Griffith, who is on the verge of turning sixty and who spares no effort in training with one of his proteges.

His secret

The operation deprived it of a lot of flexibility at the bottom of the body. It cannot rely on the kicking of his youth in order to score points during matches.

“I have compensated by working more of my upper body. Coaches tell their guys to avoid my hands, but my secret is that I also have a great set of legs. “

This master of the sport of practical karate since the age of 15 years. Accompanied by one who is his sensei since always, the great master of the style of kenpo in Canada, Jean-Guy Angell, he obtained his black belt at 20 years old.

His “father of karate” the appointed at that time head of the school of Saint-Eustache.

“Danny is really a passionate lover of karate, it will continue to go even further, I have no doubt,” says his master.

The sport before the money

But his sport doesn’t pay the bills.

In most of its schools to Lachine, LaSalle and Rosemont, Mr. Griffith has worked for several years for CP Rail. He has also been a special educator at Centre for school integration of Rosemont, where he is still the driver.

“I’ve moved dozens of times and my accounts are late. I chose the karate rather than the money “, gliding the father of four children, who are now aged 20 to 39 years.