|
I know the definition of "expert", which is why I said "implies". And even by your definition, I don't think he's an expert.
This is why I don't respect him:
(1) I think it was '73 or '74, in a seminar that MY sensei attended (he's still got the sign-in book), Seagal was there as a green belt (whatever that is in aikido...I've never seen a style that uses green belts) and served as uke for his sensei in a demonstration. He *actively* tried to make his sensei look bad by resisting all of his techiniques. Now, this is a valid training method, but not one you use to discredit your sensei during a demonstration...that is completely dishonorable. My Sensei was pissed and requested to use Seagal as uke when his demonstration occurred. He did and slammed him and another uke around until Seagal couldn't take anymore. (btw, don't bother asking for my Sensei's name, because I won't give it on an adult board.)
(2) He has time and again lied that he has trained with Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei. This never happened; in fact, he's never even met O'Sensei...the furthest into the US O'Sensei went was Hawaii in '61, and Seagal didn't go to Japan until after his death. When Kisshumaru Ueshiba O'Sensei was asked about his claims to have met and studied with O'Sensei, he simply replied "I wonder if that could be...", which is the very Japanese way of saying, "that's such bullshit".
(3) He also lies about his involvement in the CIA. That never happened and was exposed by Gary Goldman. There were rumors that he even tried to hire someone to kill Goldman. Seagal basically stole the stories of someone else, claiming it to be his.
(4) We asked Kisshumaru Ueshiba Doshu at a rare and private conference at Aikikai Hombu about his impression of Seagal...I can't remember if this was before or after his test...he just basically passed it off, but it was very obvious he wasn't impressed. In an interview with Doshu, he was asked about Seagal's techniques and he replied, "he speaks very good Japanese."
(5) He is rumored to have married into most of his rank, since his wife's (Miyako Fujitani) mother owned the dojo and had no related male head. Fujitani even stated in an interview once that the only reason he got his black belt is because the examiner fell asleep on the board. Now, I personally don't trust the statements of a woman scorned, so who knows the accuracy of her statement. And his SHICHIDAN rank was bought for a large sum of money...for the record I never stated he bought all his ranks...but this one he did, and from the observer account I received, it was horrible test.
(6) He is a notorious Hollywood loud-mouth braggart, which got him into trouble on the set of one of his movies, when one of his own stuntmen, Gene LeBell, challenged him and choked him out TWICE with the SAME technique. LeBell got fired and Seagal continued boasting how great he supposedly is.
(7) At a party in Atlanta (I think Atlanta), he tried to disrespect Dan Inosanto by slamming a nikyo on him when Inosanto was allowing it to be done to him. Inosanto's student, Francis Fong, was pissed. When Seagal approached Fong and asked him to "grab my wrist", Fong slapped him across the face and told him he'd fight him for real. Seagal says, "no, no...just grab my wrist". Fong slapped him again and challenged him directly for insulting his teacher. Seagal cowered back and refused. This tale come direct from the source, btw...
(8) On the set of "Fire Down Below", which was shot in the hometown of a good friend of mine in Kentucky, he was mouthing off. Some of the local rednecks challenged him and threatened to kill him. He cowered down and backed off...then refused to stay in that town during the movie shoot...they had to fly him in every morning from a major city SEVERAL miles away.
(9) And now he's just fat and sloppy, which gives you an idea how much he must train now.
The martial arts are built on humility, honor and respect. It is obvious these are not qualities that Seagal possesses. So, no, I don't respect him, nor do I think much of him as a martial artist.
|