Mark’s overcome adversity to reach for his judo dreamAfter many years of being involved in outdoor challenges Mark Guest has returned to the sporting love of his childhood and is now a Brown Belt in judo who is within touching distance of the coveted Black Belt.
Mark trains very regularly at Neyland Judo Club alongside head coach Damon McGarvie and has elected to take the technical route to Black Belt status after a serious knee injury and resultant surgery meant that fighting in competitions to amass points was less of an option than before.
Tough syllabus as a real challenge
"It means that I have a tough syllabus to follow so that I have to study, and learn every detail to satisfy examiners that I know all about Judo in a pure way for its present form," Mark told us, "and I still have to show that I can hold my own in training and other non-combat areas similar to kata."
"For example, I might have to demonstrate how to throw someone 20 times left-handed and then an identical number right-handed. This could be followed by two lots of defence, again right and left-handed - and again in great depth that would test anyone not fit enough beyond their limits.
"The syllabus is lengthy and deep in content, with standing and ground work, and I go through it with Damon and other senior judoka so that when the examiner throws out areas of the sport to be demonstrated I have to be in a position to show my knowledge of them."
Early start and a return at 40!
Mark started out his judo as an eight-year old boy in Wolverhampton and enjoyed taking part a great deal before moving around the country with his family meant that it gradually took a back seat.
But all that changed shortly after he reached his 40th birthday and he popped along to Neyland Judo Club, just to see what was going on, and received a very warm welcome.
In the intervening years he had been involved in a huge number of physical challenges, some of which are highlighted later in this article - but he was immediately hooked on judo again and started training almost straight away after a warm welcome from Bill and Damon McGarvie, plus Dave Weatherburn.
Huge set back in training
"I had to go through the gradings for my early belts again but suffered a huge set-back when I was taking part in Randoori, or free practice, with a training partner, which is like sparring in boxing.
"It was all going very nicely when I twisted awkwardly, heard a pop and there was a shooting pain which I tried to walk off - but I managed to keep it going until I got out of bed the next morning and collapsed in a heap!
"When I arrived in hospital it was too swollen to operate but they eventually took out a piece of my hamstring to help the recovery - although my recuperation was so long that it kept me off the mat for almost 12 months, although I kept in touch until I could start training again.
Mark loves a physical challenge . . .
Outside of judo, the tough tests Mark enjoyed included being involved in the 'Three Peaks Challenge' on a number of occasions, which involved setting off very early in the mornings, sometimes before dawn in Scotland, where he and his group would climb Ben Nevis, then drive down to the Lake District to climb up Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
From there it was the long drive to North Wales and a climb to the summit of Snowdon on the PYG track, all in the space of 24 hours - hard work but very satisfying but well worth it because it was usually completed for charity.
. . . And sets one at Neyland!
So when the senior participants at Neyland Junior Club decided they would like raise funds for the club in a novel way Mark suggested they might like not a Three Peaks Challenge but a FOUR Peaks Challenge, although it couldn’t be completed in 24 hours because of the travel involved.
The intrepid quintet of Damon McGarvie, Barry Watson, Ria Jones, Craig Bennett and Mark duly completed their treks up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon before making the lengthy journey to Pembroke Dock and caught the ferry across to Rosslare, followed by a four-hour drive across Southern Ireland to complete the climb up Carrauntoohil, the central peak of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
This they did in good style and celebrated their success with a lively evening in Killarney before wending their tired way back to Neyland.
"There could be a 'FIVE Peaks Challenge at some time," said Mark with a chuckle, "because we could also include a trip up Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland!"
Busy training and looking ahead
Mark trains at least twice a week at Neyland, shifts in work permitting, and says that the club has a great tradition and a huge reputation in Welsh judo, thanks to the involvement of Bill, Joyce and Damon McGarvie.
“Everyone trains extremely hard,” he told us, “but there is always room for a bit of banter and we also have a good social side.”
“It is a pleasure to see so many youngsters really enjoying themselves and as seniors we try to help encourage them to take their first steps in a sport which has given us a great deal of satisfaction and success. Hopefully, when I have a little more spare time, I hope to take my coaches’ badges and really put something back into the sport.”
High praise from coach Damon
Mark’s involvement is certainly appreciated by head coach Damon McGarvie, who told us,
“Mark is looked up to by others in our club because of the commitment he has shown in battling on and setting himself targets.
“He deserves to achieve Black Belt status and everyone in Neyland Judo Club will be delighted for a colleague who has led us to higher challenges and is ever-ready to help out.
“He is a credit to our club and long may he continue to be involved!”
High praise indeed from someone who is renowned for his own commitment and effort, and we can do no better than joining him in wishing Mark Guest good luck in his judo future!