Larry Rundle: (right) with son Kelly (left)Newcomers surveying any given discussion on the famed Underground Forum, housed at Mixed Martial Arts dot com, need only know a couple of things about the community as a whole in order to truly grasp what it is that they’re reading.

A gathering of martial arts athletes and fans that’s spiraled into cult status over a decade’s time, the Underground Forum is legendary, and those setting the precedent for discussion there often fall into one of three classifications.

You have your Martial artists of varied sorts looking to reach out to like-minded fans/athletes, the incumbent embittered pessimists who do nothing but critique the fighters & fellow members, and of course, your average-going, sport-loving fans. The latter of the three types is a dwindling, dying breed.

On rare occasion, a random member offers an out-of-nowhere inspirational tidbit or two, something derived purely from the dynamic elements that initially fascinated many of us in the martial arts to begin with: stories of perseverance, tribulation, achievement, odds-beating, and just flat-out enjoying what you do while doing it well.

Those tales notwithstanding, occasionally the accomplishments alone of a martial artist in a unique position are enough to warrant the admiration and respect of the community. Though rare, when it happens, it’s worth the read.

The man I’m writing about today, though I’ve never spoken a word to him personally, should appeal as an inspiration to all with a love for the martial arts who hear his story, because it’s a good one.

Fighting out of Stillwater, Oklahoma, MMA fighter Kelly Rundle took his first professional MMA bouts in 2007, at the remarkable age of 45. A member of the famed “UG,” Kelly’s late-going start in pursuing his passion is something apparently handed down by his father, Larry Rundle, who will be competing in the NAGA Southwest Grappling Championships this coming February 20th in Fort Worth, TX.

Larry Rundle is 72 years old.

As his son reports, Larry was recently awarded his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt. At his own seasoned age of seventy-two, Larry Rundle has accomplished a rank that students a fraction his own age still have not, and in some cases never will, no matter their age.

Son Kelly Rundle, who has trained his father for years, looks to his elder’s achievements and beams. Strewn throughout a recent thread on the UG, where it was announced that Larry would be competing, were sentiments of his enthusiasm and encouragement, perhaps even disbelief, as Kelly talked about his father’s accomplishment, his love for what he does, his work ethic, his atmosphere in training and his hobbies.

Larry Rundle will be competing in the Directors Division, where within the age group of 50 and over, Larry will be one of the oldest competitors, if not the oldest, to show there.

Kelly tells of his father’s fortitude and integrity, as well as his athleticism: he states that a within a month of having his knee scoped due to a recent injury, he was back on the mat and rolling, a feat usually reserved for those about one third his own age, and one that’s almost impractical for someone his own age.

Larry’s current team of training partners consists of others in his age group, mostly younger than himself, and mostly former Oklahoma Highway Patrol and State Troopers. Despite that many of his training partners are much younger and much larger than him, even at his age of 72, Mr. Rundle is hitting the mat with all the persistence and ambition that athletes at their peak ages give to their own sports.

For his inability to observe and validate what should be the effects that age on his body and lifestyle, for his continued study of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as he pursues ongoing practice in his senior years, and for devoting himself in the latter years of his life to such active goals and restless pursuits despite all odds, we commend Larry Rundle on his recent promotion to Purple Belt, as well as his forthcoming competition date at the NAGA Southwest Grappling Championships.

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