BALANCING THE WORLD ON ONE FINGER
By Dave Major
In the summer of 1973 the iconic martial arts film ‘Enter the Dragon’ starring the legendary Bruce Lee hit the big screens. Playing to full cinemas’ the film was responsible for the sudden increase in membership to karate/kung fu clubs, the demand was so great that new clubs appeared overnight. The younger generation sought to emulate their hero by mastering the techniques required to become proficient in one of the styles of martial arts.
None more so than Chatham teenager Michael Gooch who believed that he had finally found a focal point for his life.
Fortunately, there was already an established club in his hometown and Michael joined The Medway Kyokushinkai Karate Club along with some eighty other beginners. By the time of the first grading, Michael was one of only ten remaining as the gruelling training regime sorted the wheat from the chaff.
Already a talented footballer with professional potential, Michael switched his focus to karate and trained at the dojo several times a week, plus following a punishing schedule in the garage-gym at home. Gallons of sweat were shed as he practiced to perfect his techniques by doing thousands of repetitions of all the blocks, punches and kicks in the curriculum. Michael also spent hours conditioning his hands to perform Tamishewari (breaking techniques).
Two years later, in 1975, all the intensive training paid off when Michael was chosen for the club team to fight in the National Championship held at Crystal Palace. His slight physique belied the speed and power of his punching and kicking and many an opponent paid the price for underestimating him.
While he continued to excel in combat and Tamishewari, Michael was driven by his impossible dream; to be the first to perform a one finger press-up. Many in the martial arts world believed it to be impossible as the pressure on the finger joint would be enormous. Despite many failed attempts, Michael refused to give up on his dream, he merely increased the conditioning of his hands. Come wind, rain, snow or shine, nothing could distract him from his goal.
The long hours spent on his punishing fitness regime finally paid dividends. After a four-hour training stint, Michael walked into his mother’s kitchen where his sister, Kay, was drinking coffee with Dennis Jones, his training buddy and announced that he was ready to do a one-finger press-up. With their encouragement, Michael positioned himself on the hard tiled floor and did not one, but ten one finger press-ups.
That feat of herculean strength signalled the beginning of a remarkable journey that saw Michael demonstrating his unique gift to raise thousand of pounds for charities and earned him the accolade of the first person in the world to do a one finger press-up, in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.
The momentous feat took place at the European Knockdown Championships held at London’s Wembley Arena in March 1982. There were many thousands of spectators, but you could have heard a pin drop as Michael strode confidently into the centre of the arena and got into position. The target was thirty repetitions and Michael went for the record. Full body movement, chest to floor and locking his arm on the up. The audience were on their feet, clapping in time with the referee’s count and began stamping their feet as the closer Michael got to the target. A tremendous roar filled the Arena as he reached thirty and continued as the adrenaline powered him on to thirty-nine repetitions before his finger finally gave way.
Following this achievement Michael appeared on numerous prime-time television shows, always managing to mention the name of the name of the charity he was currently supporting.
Unfortunately, a debilitating illness side-lined Michael for many years but he made a spectacular comeback in middle-age by setting new records for one finger press-ups on a coconut, a beer bottle and a six-inch nail.
Michael was back doing what he loved best, demonstrating his unique talent to raise money for charity. It took a massive stroke to put an end to his demonstrating days. But for Michael Gooch, the first man in the world to perform one finger press-ups, the legend lives on.
Author Dave Major, images courtesy of photographers
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