If a warrior is defined by a combination of heart and ability, then Mark Aycock is by anyone’s definition, a true warrior.

 

He is a rare combination of individual; a talented martial artist, a gifted teacher, a loving husband and father, a good friend, and an inspiration to many, many people.

 

During his days as a competitor, he was known, not only for his competitive skills, but for his outstanding attitude.  He was always positive, he was always personable, and he was always ready to give 100% to whatever he was doing. 

 

People just automatically liked Mark. He was fun to be around, and he was fun to watch in action, but when you stepped in the ring with him, you were in for the fight of your life.  You never got half effort from Mark Aycock – you got everything he had, every time.

 

Mark’s sensei Master Allen Wheeler once said that he had students who were more naturally gifted than Mark, but he never had one that worked any harder than he did.  That was true.  There was no one, anywhere, who worked harder than Mark Aycock.  It paid off in that, through hard work and determination, Mark Aycock became one of the top competitors in the Southeast, a great example of Isshinryu spirit, and a local legend.

 

Mark Aycock started his Isshinryu training with Master Allen Wheeler in 1976.  He currently holds the rank of 7^th Dan that was awarded to him by Master Wheeler. 

 

(Master Allen Wheeler / Mark  Aycock / Unknown)

 

During the 1980’s, Mark served on an Isshinryu demonstration and seminar team with Master Wheeler.  They were in demand throughout the Southeast.  Mark was a pioneer in the development of the popularity of sport martial arts in the Southeastern United States, in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  He was also a leader in developing concepts with Kickboxing Fitness classes in Tennessee.

 

In 1981, Mark graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health.

 

Mark was quickly recognized as a top competitor in the Eastern and Southeastern United States tournaments.  Not only was he known as an award winning fighter, he also proved to be a kata and weapons champion by winning many awards in those categories.

 

 

(Mark Aycock and Charles Hanson - IHOF - early 1980s)

 

Some of Master Aycock’s awards include:

·         1981 IHOF Karate-Ka of the Year Award

·         1986 AOKA Grand National Fighting Champion

·         1987 and 1990 OKU Competitor of the Year

·         1989 Double Grand Champion Isshinryu Fall Classic

·         1990 Silver Medal in the United States Sport Jujitsu 5 man fighting team

·         1994 and 1995 NASKA Top 10 in Fighting

·         1995 National Black Belt League #2 fighter in the Southern Conference

·         1995 Silver Medal in the Otomix World Freestyle Fighting Championships

·         6 time Tennessee Karate Circuit Champion

·         25 Grand Championships

·         Inductee in the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame

·         2008 inductee into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame as “Legendary Sport Martial Arts

          Fighter”

·        Was featured numerous times in Official Karate, American Karate, and Karate International

         magazines.

 

 

5-man United States Sport Jujitsu fighting team - 1990 - Silver Medal

(L-R - Craig Oxley / Jason Scott / Ernie Boggs (team captain) / Mark Aycock / Scott Shamblin)

 

 

Mark’s accomplishments in karate/martial arts in the 80’s and 90’s led to many modeling and acting jobs.  He was invited to Hollywood, California, where his creativity led to the development of several stories.  Production companies were interested in making the stories into movies but the length of process and Hollywood business practices delayed them, bringing Mark back to Knoxville and into active competition once again.

 

Mark suffered a collision blow during competition that resulted in a severe concussion.  The trauma developed into posttraumatic Meniere’s disease.  Brain surgery, through a vestibular nerve selection, was performed to cut a balance nerve resulting in loss of balance and hearing.  Mark also suffered spinal meningitis from the surgery.  Through faith in God and hard work, Mark recovered far beyond all the physician’s expectations.  Although he was no longer able to compete, he recovered to live a remarkable life with the love and support of his wife Starla, and their twins Karley and Kyler.

 

Mark owns Mark Aycock’s Fitness Pros in Knoxville, Tennessee and trains a very diverse group of individuals, from those seeking a healthier lifestyle to business professionals, amateur as well as professional athletes.  He teaches Isshinryu at this facility.  Some of his clientele include former Pro Linebacker and member of the 1989 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Championship Team, Keith Delong, and 1980’s World Rated Tennis Pro, Ben Testerman.  Mark also trains two of the top physicians in their fields, in the southeast, Mark Overholt, M.D., E.N.T. and David H. Hauge, M.D. F.A.C.S., which both have earned black belts under Mark, and still continue strength conditioning and martial arts.  Marks also recently helped coach a World Combat League fighter.  Mark as also trained top NASKA Fighting and Kata World Champion, Chuck Reynolds.

 

 

 Quotes from World Class Martial Artists about Mark Aycock

 

“Mark is a martial arts athlete with heart.”

Grand Master Allen Wheeler, 10th degree / Isshinryu Hall of Fame inductee

 

“Karate’s best.”

Chuck Reynolds / Owner of Wheeler’s School of Karate /  NASKA World Champion

 

“Mark was the fiercest fighter I faced in competition.”

Master Scott Shamblin / International Isshinryu Karate Champion / Isshinryu Hall of Fame Inductee

 

“Mr. Seisan”

Master Sherman Harrill / Isshinryu Hall of Fame inductee

 

“Mark was a quick and explosive karate fighter.  He was the best sparring partner I trained with!”

John Myers / Master Instructor / Former United States Secret Service

 

“Great Training Partner”

Joe Lewis / Legendary Karate and Kickboxing Champion / Action Movie Star