Joe Tierney
Joe Tierney has been one of the most constant competitors on the British Karate circuit for many years, but the pathway to his success has been tough and demanding. It is the determination, ambition and skill of this Bolton lad that have seen him become an acclaimed champion.
Joe originally began his career in Shotokan, in 1976 with instructor, Lawrence Duffy. Duffy instructed the young Tierney in the basics of Shotokan.
As a green belt he was then to move and continue his training under Terry Pottage, who was at that time a full-time instructor of Shukokai and a member of the England team. Under Pottage's guidance Tierney changed his style to that of Shukokai and was simultaneously initiated into the more competitive side of Karate.
Training under Pottage paid off as in 1977/78 Tierney managed to get himself a place on the S.K.U. National Squad, as an under 21. His achievements continued with 1978/79 proving to be the year for Joe, when within a period of just 6 months he was not only to attain his black belt but also serve as runner up to his instructor, Terry Pottage in the Quest for Champions at Belle Vue. A short time later he had gained the British Lightweight title. This was swiftly followed by success in Rome where he was to win the European Under 21 's title, admittedly, he says such a rapid succession of wins did go to his head a little.
The road to success rarely runs smooth. Joe, was at this time still employed as an Engineer. He was finding it more and more difficult to balance out the time he was spending on his Karate and the time he should have been spending on his job. Fighting in tournaments demanded more time from him, so naturally his Engineering work suffered. It was after a successful week-end in Belgium when Tierney returned to work that the crunch finally came. There were crossed words with his employer who had become concerned about the amount of time his employee had missed. Joe still elated from his triumph in Belgium decided enough was enough he could no longer compromise. His job as Engineer shelved, he could now concentrate on his fighting career.
More recently though, Joe had decided to retire from the W.U.K.O style of tournaments, he says: "W.U.K.O events were getting a bit too technical for my style of fighting, that's why l've changed to S.P.O.R.T.K.O. Karate."
As well as being involved in S.P.O.R.T.K.O., Joe manages to fit in the running of his many clubs. But he admits teaching was not something he found very easy at first.
"I had a lot of trouble in the beginning beating people up, I'm not saying I'm a bully, but because I was training and was all hyped up, I only needed to get someone through the door who looked a handy lad and before I knew it I was in a rut with him. That was pretty terrible, controlling myself to take lower grades but as my lads started getting higher grades I only sparred with them and never touched the beginners."
Joe's own training must now fit around his teaching which has become a full-time occupation for him. Within his classes he caters for every type of student from those wishing to fight on the tournament circuit, to those who do not. With these latter students in mind, Joe has devised classes which teach none competitive techniques such as Kata and Self- defence. This method of teaching has proved very popular and the 'Shorai Karate Association' now boasts over 800 members. To help him out with his mammoth teaching task, Joe has enlisted the help of other top instructors such as Bev Morris, a renown Champion in her own right, with titles under her belt including, four times winner of the Ladies European Championships, and undefeated British Champion.
His past says it all, successful fighter, triumphant teacher and now leader of his own Association - what more can Joe Tierney possibly hope to achieve in the future. Well, he assures us he still has plenty of ambition left. Over the next few years he hopes to continue competing and eventually win a World title, before he retires from the fighting circuit and concentrates his efforts on coaching and organising major Martial Art events.
Joe Tierney - the Bolton Blockbuster has been a name to watch out for in the past and we at Martial Arts Illustrated are certain that he will continue to reap acclaim in anything he does in the future.
