"Karate kid to a martial arts king"

Written by Alan Erskine - Mildura Weekly, Friday, 25 May 2007
Aussie Bob Jones was the toughest nightclub bouncer in Australia, and bodyguard to the rich and famous. He then found Zen Do Kai karate and it changed his life. ALAN ERSKINE has the story...
BOB Jones is an Australian who was never one to back away from a fight. As a nightclub bouncer and bodyguard to rock stars and the rich and famous, he was often called on to subdue over-exuberant or jealous fans, or nightclub pests.Then he discovered Zen Do Kai karate, which loosely translated, means the best of everything, in progression.The man who spent the early part of his adult life as arguably Australia’s best-known nightclub bouncer and bodyguard devoted his life to a new science.It became so successful his company now has 1000 schools of self-defence throughout Australasia helping about 20,000 students get to black belt level.

It has been in Mildura since 2001, run by high-ranking Mildura policeman Graeme Loison, black belt of the year in 2002, and instructor of the year in 2002 and again last year.A fitness fanatic, Graeme says one of his goals within the Bob Jones organization is to educate people who believe that martial arts is all about learning how to fight.“Self-defence is one aspect of our training, but personal development is a major factor as we develop self-respect, respect for others, self discipline, confidence, fitness and concentration,” he said.Graeme is a member of the Zen Do Kai (Victoria) steering committee, with the responsibility of improving the martial arts system and teaching methods. In addition he co-ordinates and assesses brown belt students Victoria-wide before they are allowed to attempt their black belt grading.Graeme has been training in the martial arts since 1973, is a fifth degree (Godan) black belt, and holds the title Shihan. As well as Mildura, he is in charge of the Rochester Club. Graeme believes that all martial arts are beneficial, and he has trained with alternative systems to expand his own learning. Since opening in Mildura he has trained about 15 locals to junior black belt level, and three adults to their black belt.Zen Do Kai was founded in 1970 when Bob Jones opened his first martial arts club in Melbourne. Originally intended for those who worked in the security industry, demand and popularity grew rapidly, and Bob used his best students to good effect, guarding just about every international rock band that toured Australia.In the past four decades, Bob Jones has taught thousands of people in Australia and New Zealand how to protect themselves, with some former students joining his organization as instructors, and many going on to achieve black belt ranking.At one stage in the 1970s, he met the security needs of most major organisations, events and celebrity visits in Australia, and at some concerts, hundreds of his black belts were employed to secure all aspects of public well being.In the 1980s Bob toured as bodyguard to many major rock stars, including the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, David Bowie, Boy George and Linda Ronstadt.Bob later branched out into kickboxing, organising several major tournaments, and later still into the Muay Thai boxing principles and techniques.Now a grandfather, Bob still trains in the martial arts for two hours a day, visits his various schools on a regular basis, has made numerous television appearances providing self-defence tips for women, and provides commentary ring-side at kickboxing bouts.Bob Jones has some colourful stories based around his training of bouncers to take care of any situation. One training method was to put someone in a full nelson headlock and then run the gauntlet, with two lines of other bouncers throwing punches and kicks. The goal in those days, he said, was to produce hard, tough fighters.He says he has been influenced through the years by many martial artists, but none more so than the teachings – from his ‘Book of Five Rings – of Myamoto Musashi, who lived from the late 15th century to 1645, dying at the age of 61. He says he delved into the book so much he almost re-lives the life of Myamoto.“Everyone in Japan has to read that book, and do a thesis on it,” he told a martial arts magazine some years ago. “Many American universities are now starting to read it and work on the same principles.“It’s weird to read a book about a man who was quite arrogant and aggressive, who went around challenging and killing almost anyone he wanted to. But a few years before his death, there was a dramatic turn-around, with much meditation and contemplation of life.”Bob says his life was similar, very traumatic in the beginning, but as he developed in the martial arts he was developing more benevolence and understanding for other people.And that, says Mildura’s Graeme Loison, is what the martial arts scene is all about. His club trains weekly at the Irymple Leisure Centre, and Graeme would welcome any enquiries on 0412 837 833.