MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER
MYCHAL “LOOK UP” SLEDGE
APRIL / 2011
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. It is my thought that some people practice the way of old tradition with its intricacy while still maintaining its integrity as well as understanding its current versions. They allow for the growth and innovation that is born as the result of hard training and evolution. In the beginning it was the waves of exploration with trial and error that defined what tradition would be. Words like old fashioned, conventional, fixed, and orthodox are used to describe its practice. More modern words that are not as flattering have been used as well. Words like useless and out dated which have been used by people who have not experienced tradition and have not giving a thought to the fact that every new idea was born in some way from an established method. There is also the pioneer that invents from scratch but as of late that is far and few that have stepped up to that plate.
The person I am introducing in this interview has taken the way of old and with heart, soul and a determined momentum has not re invented but instead expressed his art in the combat arena as well as his daily life. He has defeated the toughest opponents with what seemed like very little effort because of his embodiment and insight of the art he practices. The man I am speaking of is Master Mychal “Look Up” Sledge. His Martial Arts lineage speaks for itself and his dedication since his humble beginnings has been second to none. Sledge is a man that believes hard work will get you where you want to be in life and knows this well because he leads by example. I recall meeting him at an AAU sanctioned event in 1980. He along with his training brother Speedy Wilson had just arrived from a tournament where they won grand champion in fighting in their divisions and proceeded to do the same at this particular tournament and yes, on the same day. Watching him as he went through a barrage of opponents I sat there and wondered, why don’t they just give him the trophy because he’s going to leave with it anyway. When I finally spoke to him he made no mention of the trophy he had just won. His thoughts were merely on the fact that he went through a day of improving his art as opposed to winning a trophy. This in itself was a sign of his greater purpose, which is rooted in the code of respect and honor. As you will learn in this interview he is a man that cares for his fellow human being and demonstrates it with action, not words. It is our hope here at Martialforce.com that his interview brings you some insight into his life and passion.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: I was born in Brooklyn, New York, Raised in Harlem, New York.
Martialforce.com: What is your current occupation?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Plant Manager, USPS worked for them the past 27 years.
CEO, Co- founder, The Sledge Group, Inc.
CEO, The Sledge Group Consultants, Inc.
Martialforce.com: When and where did you begin your Martial Arts training and what motivated you to study?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: I began my training in 1968 in Harlem, New York, renouned, Salem DOJO.
I went on a bus outing in 1967 and saw Tong Dojo members do a Karate demonstration at the "Peg-leg" Bates resort. I immediately fell in love with the Martial Arts, Wilder twins and Master George Cofield and Master Thomas Lapuppet.
Kata Competition with Butterfly Knives
Martialforce.com: Everyone is influenced by someone, either directly or indirectly and it’s rare when this is not the case. That being said, who has been your greatest influence throughout your life in regard to Martial Arts and or life in general?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: The Martial Arts, after 43 yrs of studying is still my way of life. Almighty God gets all the glory, for my accomplishment now and then. He put Professor Moses Powell, Master's George Cofield, Thomas Lapuppet, Professor V, Master Leon Wallace, Master Fred Hamilton and others in my life at a set time for a purpose. My first instructor James Cooper and my father James Sledge and Mother Theresa Sledge planted the seeds of life in me.
Martialforce.com: With regards to the tournament circuit, you were a consistent winner so my question is, what motivated you to compete? What was your driving force?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: At first I had no choice, as a white belt and ten years old I was taken to my first tournament. Most Dojo’s (Karate Schools) back then would only bring their best students to tournaments. After winning in the Pee-Wee and Junior divisions I was told I had to go to every tournament and it just became part of the regiment. Before the tournament started, Dojo's would train and spar with each other.
It was my chessboard at the time; I could see the fight before I step in the ring. I could see the win and the championship and I also knew that when I lose this vision in competition it was time to stop competing.
Martialforce.com: Can you give us an example of a typical day of training back when you were competing?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Strong basic techniques all day long in and out of the Dojo. Dedicated Kata practice and fighting…
Martialforce.com: Can you name some of your toughest competitors you have faced?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: I fought national and international extensively, humbly there were so many Errol Bennett, Fred Miller, Billy Blanks,Tayari Casel,Kevin "K.A." Thompson, Speedy Wilson, Luis Ruiz, Steve Valencia and Phil Mcrae just to name a few.
Martialforce.com: If you were to sum up your years of competition in regards to your experiences, can you tell our readers what you gained from your Karate training and competitive years that has helped you in your daily life?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Perseverance and Dedication...never give up and take your life to the next level... no room for compliancy! The Glass is always Half Full....
Respect at all times, we have the only Art that start with bowing to your opponent and after the win or lost, you also bow to your opponent.
Humility, in my case the Martial Arts took a shy, introverted kid and gave me confidence, values, committed to complete everything at higher level than normal. Competition and training gave me a champion’s attitude on Life.
Martialforce.com: What year did you stop competing and what was the reason behind this decision?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: 1983 was last year of competing. I was taught competition was only one aspect of the Martial Arts. It was time to move on the full spectrum of my training and beliefs. I also wanted to leave competition on the top and I did just that. I started working for the government and needed to provide for my family.
Martialforce.com: A lot of kids don’t have role models to look up to and give up too easily in life, which leads to the negative alternative that the unforgiving streets offer. What would you say to a child or have a parent explain to a child that might be reading this in regards to feeling like they don’t fit or haven’t found themselves?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: I come from this same situation and only through prayers, mentors and the Martial Arts I over came these obstacles and many others. Instill Values, morals and traditions, as early as possible in a child and teach Life with a Purpose.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell us about your company, The Sledge Group and how and why this was created?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: It was created out of a vision and a set of values I was taught and had experienced in my life and traveling around this world. Preserving Community Values and Principles. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving our community. The Sledge Group is a non-profit community-based consortium of Volunteers. The consortium strives toward the goal of empowerment through a holistic approach of bringing valuable education to disadvantaged communities. We provide a myriad of social services including youth development, mentorship programs, HIV prevention, substance abuse awareness, court advocacy, crisis intervention, anger management and many other programs, which address the issues affecting our community. Our goal is to facilitate empowerment by providing youth with the tools necessary to make positive life choices, thereby combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.
The other aspect of the Martial Arts is selfless service. a spiritual principle that is rarely demonstrated. The Survival tools that were once in the Dojo or in competition has to come into the mainstream of life. I work with allot of mis-guided youth and families. Gang members, disenfranchised people and show them a new way to live, not just to survive. I watch many of the great Masters do awesome things in the community I grew up in for Free. Master Leon Wallace, Maste Padu, Master Fred Hamilton, I can go on and on. They showed me the true way of the warrior.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any long or short-term goals in regards to any part of your life that you can tell our readers about?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Continue to be a humble servant to almighty God. A Spiritual Warrior that will always be on the battlefield, just with peace and serenity Continue to make a difference in as many lives as possible! Giving back to many Communities, my family. Continue to write books on my experiences and on Life.
Martialforce.com: You mentioned the following instructors as your influence, Moses Powell, Master's George Cofield, Thomas Lapuppet, Professor V, Master Leon Wallace, Master Fred Hamilton. My question is, can you give our readers your thoughts on what some of these individuals did to influence you in regards to training, technique, inspiration or advice?
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Let me start by stating my age when meeting these Master's were the most important years of my life 10yrs old thru 21yrs of age. Prof. Powell, Master Cofield, was a major part of me making Shodan in the EP system, which was Sanuce Ryu Jiu-Jitsu and Japanese Shotokan. I was promoted to Shodan (first degree blackbelt) in 1972, at the age of 15yrs. in two styles of Martial Arts, very uncommon back then. I am one of a few that competed in pee-wee, junior, super jr's and then into the men’s adult division at age 16yrs.
Prof V, I was introduced to after making Shodan. I was raised as a son, under them as well as a student. The Son part guided me into adulthood, as far as being a leader, going to college. It was not just the techniques and training but the full scope of a student- instructor relationship that started at a very young age.
I remember Prof. Powell, saying to me when I was still in high school, that I should go to college to learn the medical side of life.
He related it to me as me already having the ability to destroy a life and that the balance would be to save a life. This is one of the reasons; I majored in biology in college. Master Leon Wallace and Master Fred Hamilton, Master Thomas LaPuppet, I also learn from and received advice on continuing my education and the importance of community and culture. I was accepted in their homes as well as their Dojo's. I am talking real quality time as young child and then as a Man. I watched them as a child does, from how they treated their wives, to the books they read and the stories they told me. They shape my life, Mentally, Physically and Spiritually. My first instructor, Master James Cooper introduced me to them as his top student. With that being said, I had high standards to live by as a student and instructor but most important, as a Man. It was my choice to live this Code for the rest of my life.
They all had something special, as far as techniques they gave me. I study this from the first time I met each one of them. They all had ONE strong basic technique that they mastered. Master George Cofield would sweep you to the ground and you never saw it coming. Master LaPuppet would block and counter you to no end. Master Leon Wallace had a lead hand hammer fist, that would drop you every time. Prof. Powell and Prof. V both used the open hand technique to strike vital parts of your body and you would feel it on contact and then after you left the mat.
They all had one-line "Quotes". that still live in me today.
"A thinking man is a dead man'', "if you cannot stand up, you can not fight" "the battle is won before you step in the ring"
"The Art of fighting without fighting" The necessity to defend your life will not be by appointment". We trained without any time Limitations or watch. This in turn caused me to develop my technique to win in competition, which were my reverse punch, my open ridge hand and the ultimate surprise front leg sidekick or front snap kick. The nick-name "look- up" was given to me by Master James Copper as a brown belt, he said to me every time you get in the ring they better be looking up to you from the floor before the fight was over.
A major reason why I started a mentoring program with my wife was because of what these Men did with and for me. I was raised in a two family household both mother and father together. These masters were my mentors.
I was taught and I now live and teach the true "Way of the warrior" Bushido, This code emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, obedience, duty, filial piety which means (respect for the parents and ancestors), and self-sacrifice. My dedication and commitment to win is the same now if not greater, than when I competed and won national and International acclaims. The Sledge Group, Inc. is a free program because of what was given to me freely, selfless...We Teach the same virtues and values that I learn in my studying of the Martial Arts.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for accepting this invitation to be interviewed. I enjoyed speaking with you and your answers provided me with a greater insight into your motivation in life through the art of Karate. We here at Martialforce.com wish you continued success in all future endeavors. I salute and bow to your dedicated life's work.
MYCHAL SLEDGE: Thank you for this opportunity to speak on my life and experiences.