David Toney (Martial Artist)

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David Toney

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Ivan | 

David Toney is one of those guys who you see in the street and you really don’t give him a second glance. Average height and build, smartly dressed, clean cut just like a lot of guys out there.
Except he isn’t average. At the age of 16 he took up a martial art and that was just the beginning.
He progressed through his belts quickly and finally achieved his 1st Black Belt. Now David is the Chief Instructor for World Ju-Jitsu Federation Ireland (WJJFI). He has clubs all over Ireland and a team of dedicated Black Belts looking after them.
He is kept very busy with the day to day running of such a large organization but he still found time to publish a book.
JU-Jitsu
A Path For Beginners
So I decided to find out a bit more about what make him tick and why he is held in such high esteem by all his students.

Q. ” How long have you been doing Ju-Jitsu & what made you take up a Martial Art? “

A. ” I was 19 and hadn’t done much in the way of physical activity since I’d left school and wanted to find a way to keep fit. I wasn’t much into football or team sports and was looking for something that would give me something at the end of it. Four years of going to a gym would make me stronger but 4 years of a Martial Art would give me a Black Belt.

Q. “Why Ju-Jitsu? “

A. “I went to the wrong room!  I thought I was going to a Judo class but ended up in the Ju-Jitsu class next door. It was a crazy class and the coach was a complete nutter – an English guy called Roly Beattle. He threw me over his head in the first class and I thought my back was broken. For whatever reason, I couldn’t wait to go back the next week! “

Q. “How long did it take to reach your first Black belt and how did it feel? “

A. ” Four years. I transferred clubs and trained under several instructors. Through that time, the people I’d started with all fell by the wayside, but I just kept going. “

Q. ” When  and how did you become involved in the administration of the NI Ju-Jitsu Association? “

A. ” I started helping in classes 6 months into my training and running my own class after 18 months (something that is just not heard of nowadays!) I didn’t start doing the whole admin role until the year 2000. “

Q. ” When you actually started running the association did you think it would be as big as it is? “

A. ” When I started training there was about 200 people training and it was based mostly in Belfast. The big growth was when we introduced structured Coaching Programmes. This meant that everyone was treated well from day one in the organization and every instructor had a set of guidelines to work to. The organization mushroomed after that. “

Q. ” You have become well-known in the Martial Arts circles. Who would  you say has been your role model and why? “

A. ” I don’t really have one person who I could say was my role model and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. I would say my big sister Linda and you in my early life. Most, but not all, of my coaches throughout the years and of course Prof Clark, the head of WJJF Worldwide. I read a lot and I would be inspired by a lot of leaders, both dead and alive. “

Q. ” Over the years can you think of any particular reason Ju-Jitsu has been so successful? “

A. ” We teach the basics well. The instructors work as a team and don’t let egos get in the way. Success is built one step at a time and it has taken us 25 years to get to this point. “

Q. ” What would you say are the benefits of learning a Martial Art & Ju-Jitsu in particular? “

A. ” For me it has been life-changing, but for most it is simply that you can train in a friendly environment and not only keep fit, but learn to defend yourself to a high standard. I don’t know of any other activity that gives you the confidence and fitness that training in a Martial Art does. Why Ju-Jitsu? I believe it has it all: kicks, punches, throws, locks and groundwork. “

Q. ” If Ju-Jitsu wasn’t your full-time vocation, what do you think you would be doing today? “

A. ” I don’t honestly know. I would like to be in the property game (although it’s probably not that great at the minute.) I like the thought of buying something and fixing it up. I enjoy the process of seeing something improve – much like I see my students improve in my classes. “

Q. “What do you do to relax? “

A. “My wife would say I don’t relax! I would walk my dogs, go for a meal with my wife and my step-daughter, or play some pool with my sons. “

Q. ” Finally David, what’s next? “

A. ” I have just finished the photo shoot for my second book and hope to have it out by Christmas. I am also working on some DVD’s. We have a number of new clubs opening and the day to day running of the organisation keeps me very busy. “

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