As one of the most outrageous sport karate players of the age, Durbin has become a sought after teacher. His high profile as a champion adult competitor and member of Team Pro-Rank has brought him opportunities he hadn’t dreamt of at an earlier age. While giving many privates both in Colorado and while on tour his mainstay is teaching his creative techniques at three area schools that hire him.

While it seems Durbin has been a champion for an eternity that’s not always been so. Despite only being born the year NBL was conceived in 1989 he has been a regular at the Super Grands World Games since 1996 when he was winning a boat load of Amateur International’s titles for several years. But an all time lul hit after his third year in NBL competition in 2000 leaving him with a fourth place as his best showing in his beloved forms and weapons divisions. Out shown by leaders Kyle Gray, Felipe Alvarez, Cass Sigmon, Johnny Shaw and Chris Gallio he scored six other 5th-7th places at the Games not even winning a third place belt that at least he had gained the year before.

It would be hard to forget his mom telling me on the phone after the Games that his competition career was about to end because no matter what he did he wasn’t going to win, he just seemed to be going backwards. Well this is one time we can tease the mom about her misjudgment as Durbin did continue training and returning to the 2001 World Games, Durbin pulled off a miracle winning an outstanding five world titles that year. Coupled with three additional titles the following year Durbin made the front cover of Sport Karate Magazine, the youngest player to achieve the honor at that time. While another semi-lul seems to have set in shortly afterwards, Durbin plugged along through the tough mid-teenager years winning a few titles and arriving in adult competition in 2007 where he won both the adult choreographed musical forms and men’s creative weapons world titles.

But nothing could top this years unprecedented win stealing all three adult contemporary forms world titles and then proceeding to garner the coveted overall contemporary forms and weapons world title.

And while it seems he’s a shoe-in for wins at this year’s World Games the threat of rookie Jonathan Tale and veteran Jerico Catura will still hover over him. And we should not discount some of his old nemesis’ either. Felipe Alvarez and Kyle Gray are certainly alive and on top of their game. Even Cass Sigmon and Chris Gallio are still occasionally heard from. Wouldn’t you like to see Gallio attempt Durbin’s antics – kersplat – I’m laughing already. Ok, ok – he’s still a great fighter.

Durbin loves and lives for the competition circuit spending relentless hours practicing the impossible or unimaginable. He’s earned the nickname giraffe from many of his friends. I asked him where this came from and he quipped “Isn’t it obvious”. Well... yes there does seem to be a long distance from the shoulders to the head, but I felt I needed him to bring it up, not me.

Durbin relates that he’s far from the top of his game however and at only 19 he’s got a good 10 years ahead of him in adult competition if he chooses.

While still focused on his own competition most, he’s also taken over as trainer for up-and-coming Anthony King’s competition with their world renown coach, Steve Amaro, now living in Florida.

Finishing high school this year, he’s headed straight for a business administration degree in college with the full intention of opening a karate school for a living – a fitting career for someone who has spent nearly his whole life studying the art and craft. I do think Durbin’s peek is far from arriving even yet!