What do martial arts and geology have in common? To Christopher Dewey, a professor of geosciences at Mississippi State University, both are his passions. Dewey became interested in martial arts long ago so he could defend himself from schoolyard bullies in his birthplace of London.
“I was a puny kid and got bullied a lot at school,” Dewey said. “Once I started training as a martial artist, I stopped behaving like a victim.”
Fortunately, Dewey is now only a victim of success. He is the owner of the Starkville Martial Arts Academy, located on 213 Main St. He is a sixth-degree black belt in judo and jujitsu and a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and hapkido. Tenth-degree black belt is the highest degree one can obtain, and Dewey said acquiring that rank could take a lifetime.
He is the chair of the coaching, education and certification committee for the United States Judo Association, which means he is responsible for the certification of all judo coaches in the USJA.
Judo is a Japanese art form that involves throwing and grappling. Karate also comes from Japan, but is a striking art. Tae Kwon Do involves striking opponents and comes from Korea.
Dewey’s martial arts academy teaches all of these techniques. The academy is in its sixth year of operation and has 128 members. Members range in age from 5 to 55-years-old.
“My mom signed me up for it (martial arts) for self-defense reasons,” Marc Seitz, an MSU student who has trained under Dewey for nearly three years, said. “But now I train for physical activity and stress relief.”
Seitz began his training as a martial artist in Chicago, Ill., in the fourth grade because he was ostracized on the school bus. He said that he has never had to use his skills in a violent manner, but said if he did he could inflict some serious damage.
“I feel very confident in my ability,” Seitz said. “I’m proud to say that I’ve never had to use it (karate) to defend myself. It teaches you to avoid situations and use it as the very last means.”
Seitz attributes his ability to his first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and his third-degree brown belt in judo. Practice makes perfect; Seitz trains six days a week and helps instruct at the academy. Dewey also had a big impact on his success as a martial artist and as a person.
“He’s the best martial arts instructor I’ve trained under,” Seitz said. “He keeps the teaching varied so you don’t get bored.”
Martial artistry involves more than just physical ability; it is also about personal growth, focus and relaxation.
“I used to be very proud of who I was; Dr. Dewey showed me things about myself,” Seitz said. “I have improved my confidence. I look at myself four years ago, and I’m happy of where I’ve come.”
The meditative aspect of martial arts has had a positive impact on Seitz’s performance in the classroom. He said, due to the physical, mental and spiritual benefits the martial arts have granted him, that his stress levels are down.
Dewey competes in tournaments around the nation and said he has, “a trunk full of trophies.” He said he places in four or five tournaments a year. In March, he will compete in the Mississippi State Judo Championship in Raymond at Hinds Community College. He and his students from the academy also look forward to participating in a national competition in Cleveland, Ohio.
Seitz has just gotten into competition and has yet to carry home a blue ribbon. However, he said he has won “lots of seconds and thirds.”
Dewey came to MSU after he received his doctorate in geology in Newfoundland, Canada, and was offered a teaching job. He has been at MSU for 18 years. He got into the field of geology due to his fascination with fossils.
Dewey’s students said he was readily available to help them if they needed it.
“If I ever needed anything he was always willing to sit down and talk to me,” Paul Reed, a geology graduate said.
To learn more about the Starkville Martial Arts Academy call 323-5522.