Never Too "Old" for Taekwondo

For anyone who thinks they are too "old" for Taekwondo, take note of this snippet from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Obituary section, Monday April 30, describing the life of Victor Katz. Victor was a C.S. Kim student, who began practicing martial arts at age 50! Although Victor is no longer with us, reading about his martial arts experience is inspirational...at least to me!

News Obituaries
Obituary: Victor Katz / Lifelong jeweler and karate black belt
July 12, 1925 -- April 24, 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007
By Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Victor Katz was "that karate jeweler guy" to a few youngsters accompanying parents to his Monroeville jewelry store...

Mr. Katz took up martial arts in his late 50s, becoming a lively, spirited presence for two decades at C.S. Kim Karate in Monroeville, befriending both the children who filled classes alongside him and the school's master, Mr. Kim. He became a black belt, practicing into his 70s, and made a national "Today Show" appearance to demonstrate his skills after making an instructional video, "Black Belt Vic: Karate for Seniors."

He was never hesitant to let out a lusty "Kee-yup!" shriek in showing some of his moves to youngsters. The only time he used it for more than demonstration was in a marketplace in Israel, when a man tried to take his wallet and Mr. Katz went into a stance that sent the younger assailant fleeing.

'My father was the kind of person always learning or trying new things," said his daughter, Ellen Katz Edery of Monroeville. "He'd go parachuting or ride a roller coaster. He never stopped learning or experimenting, never was idle.'"