The way we play: ‘Short-term pain, long-term gratification’
By S.A. Thornbloom | Tuesday, November 14, 2006A January 26, 1968, Life magazine karate picture story was the impetus that led a young Iowan on a journey much like David Carradine in the television show “Kung Fu.” John Morrow didn’t become a Shaolin monk and travel the west, but the then 17-year-old from Ottumwa had found an interest and purpose. It led to a life as a kung fu black belt, a winner of many tournament titles, the owner of his own academy in Moline and, oh yes, a Guinness world record for push-ups. “From the first time I heard about martial arts I was interested in it,” said the 54-year-old who owns and teaches at his academy in Moline on Fifth Avenue. “I happened across the Life magazine story on karate back when martial arts were just becoming noticed in America. It was right before Bruce Lee became popular, and all I really knew about it was Frank Sinatra using an interesting fighting technique in the ‘Manchurian Candidate’.” After reading the article and later researching more about the arts, Morrow said he found a South Korean reverend in Fairfield, Iowa, who taught judo. He then found someone to teach him karate and finally found the Shaolin form of kung fu. “Deep down, I just wanted to become a better person. Physically and mentally I wanted to be a confident and strong person,” Morrow said. “I’m also a very curious person, and I was curious to see what martial arts could do for me. I wanted to see why something that looked so hard and daunting could be so gratifying to so many people.” Today, Morrow considers martial arts as an opposite addiction. “Addiction is a short-term gratification with long-term damage. Martial arts and training is short-term pain, or damage, with long-term gratification.” That gratifying pain has helped Morrow lead a gratifying life. He has worked as a youth counselor, has built homes and been a corrections officer in Davenport, working to rehabilitate prisoners through martial arts. He became a black belt in 1972 and eventually opened his first academy in Bettendorf in 1978. In a way, Morrow is a lot like Kwai Chang Caine of “Kung Fu” fame — a teacher and philosopher of giving. “I’ve thought about how nice it would be to travel around like Kwai Chang Caine did in the show and teaching his arts philosophy.” Morrow said he uses the philosophies of kung fu as much as the punches and kicks when instructing the more than 95 active students at his academy in Moline. “It’s a lifetime thing, a yin and yang thing and what makes it an art is that you’re always reflecting, contemplating, thinking or wondering about what each move means and why you’re doing what you’re doing,” said the married father of two. He also said the Shaolin form of kung fu teaches calmness and sharing. “It allows you to constantly look forward to getting better,” Morrow said. “I see lots of stress and anger in the world today, and it’s really just presumptions, wrong or right. You presume that someone is trying to bother you and presuming that you have never made a mistake. Shaolin helps you not to make presumptions and instead be more disciplined and be more respectful of others.” Morrow said martial arts helps in attaining other goals. Last May, he set a world record by doing 123 push-ups on the back of his hands in one minute. He also just recently won a martial arts tournament for 50-year-olds and older in Burlington on Oct. 7. “Guinness had closed the category for doing regular push-ups saying that they didn’t think anyone could do more than 138 in a minute. So I decided to do it on the back of my hands, and I think I could probably break it the other way.” Again, Morrow credits martial arts with giving him the confidence to break the record and hopes that comes across to his students. “I hope they are able to gain confidence through the art and are able to work it into their daily lives. Hopefully, it will help then go through live a little smoother and a little calmer.” He also said he hopes his students gain enough knowledge and learn how to fight so they don’t have to fight. “I think you should be able to handle something or someone by your demeanor. You may know a martial art, but it should always be your last choice.” Morrow said he is satisfied with the teaching he does at his academy for the moment. But he’ll never stop learning or evolving in his art. “Little did I know it wasn’t a short trip but a lifelong journey.” Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports at qctimes.com mailto: sports at qctimes.com. The John Morrow Martial Arts Academy is located at 1319 5th Ave. in Moline. It plans on holding an open tournament in February. For more information on martial arts or the tournament, contact the academy at (309) 764-1929 or (877) 877-791-7575.
