Interview with Narve Læret

Kyokushin Shrine : When did you start your martial arts training and in what style?

Narve Læret : I trained in many martial art styles and self defense since 1984.

KS : What was your training like?

Læret : In my younger days I trained on the edge of insanity. When I trained by myself, I pushed myself until I bled and broke bones and sometimes fainted.

KS : Who was your instructor?

Læret : My first instructor was a 7th DAN Tae kwon do instructor, I met him training with the Norwegian special forces, he was a “silent kill expert” and self-defense master.After him I have been lucky to have many great instructors in my home DOJO,and legends like Shihan Brian Fitkin 7 Dan

KS : What made you start doing Kyokushin Karate?

Læret : Kyokushin is the only full contact karate and I like it hard. We say “pain is good, and there's more in stock”! Life is hard and you must be ready for it.

KS : Have you ever studied another type of martial arts?

Læret : Yes, all kinds as long as there is something to learn I will look for it, every kind of martial arts has something you can learn from.

KS : Who were your heroes or people you looked up to when you were young?

Læret : Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Rocky Marciano (but I have never boxed) and Mas Oyama.

KS : How did you first hear of Mas Oyama? What was your first impression of him?

Læret : I read an article about him in the early 90`s and my first impression was "WOW, is this guy for real?" I think that his strategy and organization building is genius, but not after his death there is too much politics and money involved. He was a warrier born 200 years to late, I think we would have heard about him even if he was born back then. I don’t think he was a gentle and kind man, but which of the great warriers was?

KS: What is your personal training like?

Læret: I lift weights, ride my bike, run, do sparring, kihon and kata and of course makiwara and breaking training. From age 16-20 I trained 2 times a day 7 days a week, now at 41 I train 4-6 times a week.

KS : Do you concentrate most of your time on breaking?

Læret : Mentally YES, but due to the strain on the body I can not train extreme breaking too often.

KS : What is your favorite type of break?

Læret : Hmm, the soto and shotei I think. I like all kinds really.

KS : How did you feel when you broke the new world record last November?

Læret : It was a huge mental outburst, and it felt like running for 24 hours, as you can see it was as if the blocks weren’t even there when I smashed through them. I am SO focused and use KI all through the break.

KS : I hear your son is quite the brick breaker too. How do you feel having him following in your footsteps?

Læret: He will be way better than I am. He started Kyokushin training at 7 and has it in his blood. He will be soon 14 and it will be great to follow him as years go by. He has what it takes and I am very proud of him.

KS : What would you say to aspiring karatekas who look up to you? Do you have any words of wisdom for them?

Læret : Listen to your Sensei, focus on your training, do the best YOU can do, never think you are better than anybody else, we are all born equal and it is up to each of us to make the best of it. If you want to be the best in the world and giving it ALL you have, you will be the best in the world, but it will cost you…pain, dedication, more pain and even more dedication and some more pain. So to all you Kyokushin youngsters, GET USE TO IT! PAIN IS GOOD AND THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!!!

KS : What about the one’s who want to beat your record?

Læret : Be my guest! I have four different records and I am not finished yet. Believe me it is NOT as easy at it may look.

And for beginners, be careful, your hands do not have the same amount of callus as mine and other “old” guys in this Martial Arts world. It takes years to build up, so train with your head, if not you will destroy your hands for sure.

Do push ups on your knuckles, hitting the sandbag, hitting the Makiwari, punching in sand and water (for hours at the time) for some years and you will get there!

Never stop your training, training is your best investment in life,and Kyokushin can help you along the way.

My best wishes

OSU