STEVE ARNEIL
While researching this book, the name Steve Arneil kept cropping up. First from Cass Pennant, then from Stilks and finally from a couple of others. Every one of them said the same thing: ‘You will never get Steve to agree to an interview.’
It was a few phone calls later that I managed to obtain Steve’s telephone number. I wasn’t sure how I was going to approach the subject of a book on hard bastards, but I’d heard so much about him that I thought, sod it, take the bull by the horns, so I telephoned him. To my surprise, he was very modest and from the moment I spoke to him he had a kind of aura, just through his voice. I explained what I was doing and he laughed, ‘I’m not a hard man.’
I didn’t want to let the opportunity pass and persuaded him to let me speak to him face to face. With a bit of a push and a pull he eventually agreed. Arrangements were made for me to go to Crystal Palace the following Thursday evening.
As I walked into the sports centre, the smell of cheesy feet on rubber mats was overwhelming. Some kids were playing basketball. The screeching sound of trainers on polished floorboards made me shudder. I asked a fit-looking youth where the karate class was being held. Cass interrupted; he was waiting for me, to introduce me to Steve.
From the moment I met Steve Arneil, he had an overriding inner peace about him. It sounds silly or maybe I’ve been watching too much TV, but I almost felt as if I had to bow. I’ve been told that he has that effect on other people and I’m not just being melodramatic.
Steve took me upstairs and we sat and talked. He told me that he’d trained with the monks in Japan and elsewhere in the Far East. Steve had an aura about him and I felt that he was a man with an inner calm and an inner strength. It is difficult for me to do justice in words to Steve’s mannerisms, his gestures and the way that he tells a story. He’s a bit of a mystery. I found him a unique man, an enigma. I don’t know that much about him. He’s not the sort of person that I usually deal with and he’s unlike any other man in this book. He’s a straight, law-abiding citizen. But … I’ve no doubt that he is an incredibly dangerous man.
I’ve heard it said that your eyes are the windows to your soul. I looked deep into the eyes of the world karate champion, Steve Arneil, and he had an unmistakable look in his eyes, one that says, ‘You fuck with me and I’ll kill you,’ but in a more restrained, subtle way than many other hard bastards.
BACKGROUND
I was born in South Africa. Then, when I was 12, my parents emigrated to Northern Rhodesia, now called Zambia.
I have always been a keen sportsman. I learned judo at a very young age, reaching my black belt in Tokyo, Japan, when I was 17. I also played rugby and managed to get to international status. I did boxing too, but my mother was in the medical profession and didn’t like the way I kept being hit on the head.
Then one day I saw a Chinese gentleman in a small shop. He was doing strange moves, ones that I’d never seen before. I watched him for ages, mesmerised. Finally, he stopped and we started to talk. He explained that he was practising a Chinese form of karate called Shoring Tempo. From that day on, I decided that I wanted to go East. It’s funny, because all my life I’ve been drawn to the East, so when I decided to travel there it seemed the most natural thing to do.
I managed to get a job on a boat as a mechanical engineer and worked my way from South Africa to Japan. First I went to China and studied under the monks. Unfortunately due to political problems – Mao Tse Tung and his little red book – I had to get out of the country, and quick. My teachers in the temple said that they’d heard talk of a gentleman in Japan who’d be a suitable teacher. The man was called Mas Oyama.
I travelled to Japan in the hope of finding this man, which was difficult because I didn’t speak Japanese.
By chance, I met an American called Don Drager, a writer who studies martial arts. I told him I was searching for Mas Omaya. He said he knew where he was; I couldn’t believe my luck. He took me to meet Mas Omaya and after much talk he agreed for me to be his pupil.
I trained in Japan for five years. The five years of training was extraordinarily demanding. The particular form of karate is called Gouda – it’s very hard, but Mas Omaya was the Master. He was the strongest man I’d ever met. He killed bulls with his bare hands and fought 200 men without stopping.
When he thought I was ready, he said he would arrange for me to fight 100 men. I thought he was crazy, but he was serious. I trained every day in the mountains or in the sea and on the beaches. I asked my master every day – when would I fight?
Then one Sunday I walked into the dojo to do my training. Everyone was waiting for me. Mas Omaya said, ‘Today you fight 100 men.’
It took two-and-three-quarter hours.
LIFE OF CRIME
I’ve never had any involvement with the law. I’ve never been to prison or to court. I’ve always managed to talk myself out of situations.
WEAPONRY
I have very strong arms. I also have good legs.
TOUGHEST MOMENT
My 100-man fight. I’ve only done it once.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU ADMIRE?
My teacher Mas Omaya. He is known throughout the world. He guided me and taught me a lot about life – humility, respect, courtesy and also how to give other people enjoyment in their lives.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN HANGING?
Yes, I do believe in hanging, providing the society we live in is fair and honest. I think if someone has taken a life, in particular the life of a child, they have to pay for it.
IS PRISON A DETERRENT?
Some people go to prison and learn their lesson, while others come back ten times worse. Prison is meant as a punishment, not as a deterrent.
WHAT WOULD HAVE DETERRED YOU FROM A LIFE OF CRIME?
I’m clean.
WHAT MAKES A TOUGH GUY?
Courtesy and politeness is very important. Just because you’re courteous doesn’t mean you’re weak. The character of a person can signify strength, it’s not just physical ability. When I fought the 100 men, I was very strong and fit but I had mental strength to keep my line of direction and hold it.
STEVE’S FINAL THOUGHT
I don’t consider myself a tough guy or a hard man. But only a fool takes my kindness as a weakness. I do not look for trouble and will avoid it wherever necessary, but if I was in a situation that meant protecting somebody I loved, I would have no hesitation in taking it all the way, and if that means to kill, then so be it.