Odyssey martial arts

The following is a letter that I wrote to Master Ooi and presented to him this past August 2024.
From my perspective, it says it all.
Master Ooi will be sorely missed and our condolences go out to his family and students.

Dear Sir,

Congratulations on 50 years of “Ooi’s Taekwondo”! Quite the journey yourself and astonishing when you think of the impact you must have had on so many. Both directly and indirectly. You have students of students of students teaching and having a positive influence on so many. The Great Grandmaster (Godfather?).

I’m up North at my Dad’s place. On the deck, overlooking the lake at sunset, I’ve been sitting here contemplating the important things in life.

Being a teacher and having a child can influence one to feel obligated in helping others better themselves. Especially when you consider that dealing with adversity and building resilience is something alarmingly lacking in people these days. There is no more important lesson to learn than this and no one more suitable to learn it from. I can’t imagine how much of a passive sheep I might have turned out to be had I not met you. A healthy taste of “the real world” from someone legit was what I really needed and indeed, exactly what I got. In this day of short attention spans, Instagram and YouTube posers, it makes one really appreciate those that have put in their time and suffered to preserve and pass on their knowledge without taking any shortcuts or taking advantage of others.

Genuine integrity and sincere passion to help others improve is rare. I always knew we were lucky to learn from you and as I get older, I appreciate it even more.

My education of the real world started with you and I continue to apply the lessons learned and your logical common sense approach to this day. No expensive 50 year anniversary gift from me, just this cost free, sappy letter. I learned from the best.

Seriously, I genuinely feel my life would have worked out to something lame and boring with some crucial pieces lacking had I not walked down the steps of 93 Dundas in 1986. “What do you want!” you yelled at me so loud and aggressively that I felt like I was going to p*e my pants. Then, for the first time in my life I did something I had never previously done - I did something I was afraid of: I spoke up and said “I want to train”! That was a start at building some mental fortitude and learning how to push myself. Thanks to your guidance it progressed from there and your influence continues to motivate me to this day. I can only hope to have as significant and beneficial impact on my students and my son.

I know I don’t have to say thank you. Instead I’ll tell you that I’ll endeavour to do for others as you did for me.

Sincerely,

Mike

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