Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Martial Arts Doctor

Alabama -- A man is reportedly accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill the judge and prosecutor involved in a 2008 trial where he was charged with illegal possession of ammunition, according to blog.al.com.

The accused is attempting to convince the court he is too sick to be tried on the murder-for-hire charges by offering a letter from his doctor. However, prosecutors have said that the "doctor" is no medical doctor at all and that he may in fact indirectly be involved in the case.

The man who is being referred to as a doctor is reportedly identified a Ph.D., a naturopath -- an alternative medicine practitioner holding a holistic approach to treating disease -- and a "doctor of martial arts".

Karate Supervisor Indicted

Japan -- A teacher at a private high school in the city of Kumamoto has reportedly been indicted following an accident where a karate club member was left with serious brain impairment, according to home.kyodo.co.jp.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Taekwondo Champ Charged

Update, December 26: The suspect could be facing more charges following the death of a second woman from injuries she suffered in the Christmas Eve blaze, according to police.

Canada -- A 23-year-old former taekwondo champion from Orleans (Ottawa) has been charged with murder in connection with a high rise fire that killed a 57-year-old woman on the morning of Christmas Eve, according to cnews.canoe.ca.

Firefighters reportedly evacuated a 15-floor building in the Alta Vista area of Ottawa around 4:30 a.m. after flames filled the second floor of the building. About a dozen residents needed medical attention and four were transported to hospital. Many of the residents were seniors, according to reports.

The young man's father said his son had been arrested on minor offences before. However the father claimed "he would never do this kind of thing."

Words From Puga Shihan

Miamiherald.com has a story I urge you to read. It's a bout Cuba born karate master Felix Puga who continues to teach karate in Miami, Florida from his wheel chair.

I don't know the man, but to me, Puga shihan clearly exemplifies the very core of life and truth within the martial arts - an indomitable spirit.

He was paralyzed in a car accident but continues to run his karate school and care for his students just like they care for their sensei. Reading the article, you get a picture of the kind of respect Puga shihan gets in return from his students.

Like the story says: Now the master is sustained by his pupils.

"Two minutes ago I was a different person, just as the river is the same but changing every minute,'' Puga said. "I had many selves that have perished. But a new one is growing.''

This are words spoken by a true master, and you'd do well to listen to them.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Judo Beating

Korea -- Korean police have requested to prosecute a 24-year-old judo coach who allegedly beat an elementary school student with an iron pipe, according to koreatimes.co.kr.

Police said the coach was accused of beating the 11-year-old boy on the buttock and thigh areas more than 50 times when the young student attempted to get away from a training session on October 28, 2009.

It was said the boy at first did not want to report the incident to his parents or school out of fear. The child allegedly needed two skin transplants after the beating and he is awaiting another one.

The coach has reportedly admitted the allegations.

More Hijab Trouble

Iran -- The Iranian national karate federation (IKF) have banned the Shitoryu Shukokai Union style for women following an international tournament held in Germany.

During the World Championships, the youth athletes were forced to unveil their hijab (a religious Islamic head garment), according to tehrantimes.com.

The Iranian team was reportedly forced to compete in the World Championship without wearing hijab after they were not allowed to participate in the event by the organizers.

"The offenders should be punished (...)," a representative of Iran's Karate Federation Alireza Ahi, has said.

Muay Thai Champ Killed

Russia -- In what appears to be a contract killing, 27-year-old former world champion in Muay Thai ("Thai boxing") Muslim Abdullayev, was found shot dead in Moscow on December 24.

The body was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head at a stadium in the north of Moscow, according to news.com.au. Two men allegedly attacked the former champ as he came from a training session.

Russian Muay Thai federation officials claimed Abdullayev had been involved in something they called an "unpleasant conflict", which may have involved former members of the Russian national team.

Restraining Murderer

Abu Dhabi -- Two male employees were rewarded after controlling an Arab martial arts expert who stabbed a Nepalese man to death in an Abu Dhabi court.

The killer, a karate black belt attacked his victim with a knife during a hearing inside the court room and then chased him outside.

A Number of Charges

Canada -- A 51-year-old, well-known martial artist from Niagara Falls is facing a number of serious charges after a recent incident.

What began as a dispute at a residence Tuesday morning ended with a car crashing through the front doors of a casino in Niagara Falls, according to thepeterboroughexaminer.com.

The former UFC fighter, karateka and world heavyweight jiu-jitsu champion had allegedly been involved in a dispute at a local residence that resulted in a man and a woman being assaulted with a weapon before the 51-year-old man fled in his vehicle.

Police said a man drove his car into the front doors of the casino at about 2 a.m., after a series of incidents in the city.

Charged: Retired Philly Cop

Pennsylvania -- A 24-year-old woman says a newly retired Philadelphia cop, 50, sexually assaulted her and abused her over an eight-year period from 1997.

The former police officer and karate instructor allegedly met the girl in 1995 at a recreation center in Olney. The man reportedly operates a karate school there.

According to documents, the woman said the man drove her to Fairmount Park in 1997 and demanded oral sex. The court documents says the girl was forced to perform oral sex, was anally raped and physically beaten.

After being arrested in November, the man apparently continued to operate his karate classes at the recreation center, allegedly because the police department failed to notify the city recreation department, according to nbcphiladelphia.com

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Ex-Teacher Pleaded Guilty

Arizona -- A former high-school Flagstaff teacher and karate school owner has pleaded guilt to three counts of sexual conduct with two teenage girls who were his students both at school and in karate.

Investigators previously claimed the sex was consensual. However, prosecutors said the 36-year-old man had been in a position of power and trust, according to azdailysun.com.

Karate at 79

Canada -- 79-year-old lawyer John Weingust has a great formula to staying fit: karate, slalom and Haagen-Daz ice cream. All good to me :-)

The elderly gentleman now celebrates his 11th year of karate, according to theglobeandmail.com

Eight years of law school had reportedly put his body in hibernation, but then he began skiing at the age of 33. At the ripe age of 39, he took up taekwondo, eventually achieving the rank of fifth-degree black belt.

The gentleman did taekwondo for 30 years before switching to karate.

Four marathons followed in his late 40s. Five years later, Mr. Weingust turned to track and field and won a seniors' pentathlon.

Impressive, to say the least!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Monkey See, Monkey Do

China -- A 42-year-old animal trainer -- who had taught three monkeys some basic martial arts moves to entertain crowds at shopping centers -- was reportedly floored when his apprentice monkeys went ape and turned on him in a vicious revenge attack.

When the man tumbled and fell one of his "monkey-do" practitioners turned and decked him with a kung-fu kick to the head.

The three angry animals then swarmed all over the man — with of them even grabbing his stick and cracking him over the head with it.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

No Karate Kid

New Zealand -- "My husband calls me his hero. I can defend myself, but they've got to catch me first," 66-year-old Elsie George says.

She is retired, and a 2. dan black belt in seido karate.The agile Aranui woman took up karate 14 years ago and trains five times a week, according to starcanterbury.co.nz.

"I've got the stamina and the will and the only thing that's holding me back is my mind, " she says.

MA Expert Extradited

Spain -- A 25-year-old British man, being described by media as being a martial arts expert and "very dangerous", has been extradited from Gibraltar to Spain where he's facing charges of three attempted homicides.

The violent incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of January 24, 2009 in Marbella. The British man allegedly stabbed three people. The street fight resulted in one individual being very seriously wounded and two persons suffering serious stab wounds, according to typicallyspanish.com.

Karate Teacher, Prison Term

New Jersey -- A 30-year-old Easton, Pennsylvani man had sex with a teenager he met while teaching karate in Phillipsburg. The man has been sentenced to up to six years behind bars.

The abuse started in 2006, when the girl was 14 and lasted for two years, until the end of 2007, according to mcall.com.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Charged: Karate Instructor

New Jersey -- A 39-year-old Linden karate instructor has been charged with sexually assaulting a now 14-year-old girl over a period of six years, according to authorities.

Investigators found that the man, who was a family friend, had a sexual relationship with the girl which began when she was 8 years old, according to mycentraljersey.com.

Since the allegations were revealed, the man allegedly has attempted to contact the girl through an online social networking site and "had been seen lurking around" the family's home.

Dead Karateka, a Hero

Saudi Arabia -- Farman Ali Khan's was Pakistani karate champion who saved the lives of 14 people in a flood on November 25 before drowning while trying to save another, according to arabnews.com.

Reportedly, Farman saved people with the aid of wooden planks, tire tubes and rope. His brother said he was trying to save the next person when the water swept him away. His brother added that Farman tried to save people without caring what their nationalities were.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Cop Fu?

I suppose this is a political statement as "good" (or bad) as any :-)

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Van-Tastic?

China -- Here's a picture of a more than just a little dedicated kung fu stylist pulling a car.

Using his hair? No, no ... that's supposedly child's play.

This martial arts enthusiast (probably just another word for nut-case) is pulling the vehicle along with a rope connected to his eye sockets (!). Yay...

The demonstration of his eyes' pulling power reportedly occurred during a performance in Hefei, in the Anhui province.

I really can't help myself asking this one, straight forward and simple question: "Why?"

Cross-Dressing Police

Japan -- In order to catch attempted thieves and robbers, a police team reportedly has taken up a cross-dressing patrol.

The all-male police unit in the central Aichi prefecture walks the streets in short skirts, high heels and wigs while carrying designer bags.

These police officers must reportedly be young and fit, as well as hold a black belt in a martial art in order to join the group.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

King Fu?

China - A 42-year-old Chinese kung fu master has reportedly been able to create the world's smallest carving - on a fly's wing, no less.

In order to prove his ability, master Chen is said to have carved an entire Chinese sentence, taken from his favorite martial arts novel, on the wing.

The master told how he had been studying king fu (sic.) for 20 years and how he used the special breathing techniques to stop his hands from shaking. "(...) One slip would have torn the wing to pieces," the master said.

Alleged TKD Sex Assault

Update (December 12, 2009): The 52-year-old Edmonton taekwondo instructor has been found guilty by a jury of 13 of 17 sex-related charges.

The jury acquitted him on four charges relating to three of the nine female complainants.

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Canada -- Nine people, two adult women and seven children, have reportedly accused a taekwondo instructor in Edmonton of sexual assault and other related crimes.

The two women are among 20 witnesses expected to be called during a 10-day trial. The court heard the accused had been teaching taekwondo since 1994, according to edmontonjournal.com.

Most of the incidents are said to have occurred during classes that were held after school hours in public school gymnasiums, between 1998 and 2007.

A 25-year-old woman who took several taekwondo classes with the defendant in 2005, told the court how the instructor touched her breast and her bottom during stretching exercises in the class.

"He gave me the willies, up and down," the woman said. "The shivers."

Accused of Rape

India -- A taekwondo coach is wanted by Madhya Pradesh Police for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh, police said.

The alleged victim said she was raped by her coach at the TT Nagar Stadium on August 21, according to ptinews.com.

According to reports, when the girl asked for the instructor's permission to go to her hometown of Korba, the coach asked her to come to his room.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Sex Attacker Snared

UK (Scotland) -- Police reportedly caught a 33-year-old Renfrewshire serial sex attacker because his identical twin brother's DNA was held on the national database, according to news.bbc.co.uk.

A Scottish court heard how martial arts expert carried out the assaults over a three-month period between April and June 2009.

Fighters and Drugs

California -- The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has announced their official position on medical marijuana use regarding kick-boxers, boxers and mixed martial arts fighter.

Their decision was to uphold their previous ban on marijuana use by fighters, according to examiner.com.

Many top MMA fighters and other professional athletes, like Nick Diaz, Diego Sanchez and Ricco Rodriguez have tested positive to marijuana in drug tests.

Ballistic MMA Fighter

California -- 28-year-old Jon Koppenhaver, an MMA fighter known as "War Machine", reportedly went into fight mode at a porn party in LA Saturday night and is now allegedly wanted by police, according to examiner.com.

The man has recently launched a porn career and apparently had some issues with his manager at the party. As a result, the situation quickly got out of hand.

According to a guest at the party, the MMA fighter first began fighting with his porn star girl friend. When he began hitting her, bystanders tried to stop him but only ended up being targets of the violence.

Underage Drinking, TKD

New Hampshire -- A number of (mostly) college-age Bedford residents were accused of participating in an underage drinking party inside a martial arts studio early Sunday morning, according to unionleader.com.

Police said they spotted a group of young people in the parking lot of a commercial building about 1:14 a.m. The youths ran inside a side door when they saw the police cruiser. Outside the door, police reported they found containers of alcohol.

Inside the taekwondo martial arts studio, 26 youths ranging in age from 15 to 23 were having an underage drinking party, police said.

A 19-year-old female, 3. dan taekwondo instructor was taken into custody and charged with facilitating an underage alcohol party and prohibited sales.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Criminal Mastermind Wanted

UK -- British detectives have reportedly sent thousands of 'wanted' posters to Pakistan - offering a substantial reward for the capture of a 50-year-old gangster mastermind and martial arts expert hunted over the killing of a female police constable.

The former takeaway boss, who has been suspected of being in charge of the armed robbery which lead to the fatal shooting, is believed to be in hiding in a remote region in the northern part of Pakistan, according to thesun.co.uk.

Three robbers recruited by the wanted man gunned down the 38-year-old police constable on her daughter's fourth birthday.

The suspect reportedly trained kick-boxing and worked as a doorman in Bradford clubs during the 1980s.

Arrested: MMA Fighter

Hawaii -- A 26-year-old Lihu'e MMA fighter was recently arrested on multiple charges, according to kauaiworld.com.

Police officers saw the man "burning rubber" while exiting a 7-Eleven store at around 3:30 a.m., leading police on a pursuit.

After entering a hospital parking lot, the man finally stopped and police then ordered him out of his vehicle.

Ultimately, the officers had to use Taser to subdue the fighter, a news release said.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Grandmaster Jailed Following Assault

China -- A very well known kung fu grandmaster and former fight choreographer has been sentenced to two months in jail in Hong Kong for attacking his girlfriend, according to kungfucinema.com.

The man is perhaps best known to genre film fans as an action director on several classic kung fu movies such as "The Five Venoms" and "The Chinatown Kid".

The grandmaster is also the founder of the International Wing Tsun Association.

"Rusty" Kanokogi Passes Away

USA -- "Rusty" Kanokogi - known as the "mother of women's judo" for her efforts to make the sport an Olympic event - recently passed away at a New York hospital, according to her family.

The American judo legend was 74. She had reportedly been suffering from multiple myeloma (a cancer of white blood cells), her family stated.

Sick Leave, Sort of

Australia -- A school teacher and taekwondo competitor was reportedly given nine days off work for knee surgery, according to heraldsun.com.au.

The only "operation" taking place, was the man actually travelling thousands of kilometres away to a taekwondo competition in Canada.

A disciplinary hearing was told how the former state champion was caught out when his school discovered the teacher in an Australian team photo for the event.

Asked why he lied, the man said: "Because I just wanted to represent Australia so badly."

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Judo Expert, Expertly Stupid

At times I may get a feeling of shame and despair from my involvement with martial arts. Usually it is from learning about incidents like this one here.

UK -- (Scotland) A 42-year-old judo teacher reportedly left a 74-year-old man semiconscious and covered in blood after the pensioner refused to take a drink off him, according to dailyrecord.co.uk.

The judoka claimed that the frail senior citizen started punching and pushing him - leaving him no choice but to hit back. Luckily, a jury at a Glasgow court didn't believe him.

The jury took just over two hours to convict the martial arts expert, of Glasgow's west end, of assaulting the older man outside the city's pub, November 2008.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Instructor Convicted

California -- The 62-year-old man was supposed to be teaching his 4-year-old student the art of self-defense, according to dailypilot.com.

But the little girl couldn't protect herself against her molester - the very same man who was supposed to teach her.

The co-owner and instructor at a Costa Mesa self-defense studio was convicted in Newport Beach of molesting the girl at the studio in January, authorities said.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Kung-Fu vs 'Hackido'

China -- A hacker has been able to break through the defenses of the legendary kung fu Shaolin Temple, according to shanghaidaily.com.

The intruder was reportedly able to post a fake letter from its abbot saying he was "deeply sorry for exploiting the Buddhist heritage in the hustling commercial world."

The fake letter, written under the name of abbot Shi Yongxin, appeared on the news section of the site at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday along with a picture of the abbot meditating.

The letter told how Shi was ashamed because the ancient temple had "lost itself and tilted from its proper position in the world." It also said Shi accepted guilt for the temple's fall.

MMA Fighter Wanted

Nevada -- 24-year-old MMA fighter Junie Browning is wanted by Las Vegas Metro police after failing to appear in court to face charges of assaulting hospital staff members, according to fox5vegas.com.

Browning was kicked out of the UFC organization after being arrested and charged with three counts of battery in October. The fighter attacked nurses who tried to treat him following a failed suicide attempt, according to police.

Browning returned to fighting after the incident and is reportedly due to appear at the MMA: Big Show Onslaught event November 28 in Indiana.

Kung-Fu Teacher Assaulted Girls

Update: The Waterloo kung fu instructor who molested two young girls as he taught them anti-rape classes is facing jail.

A jury of eight men and four women returned a verdict after three hours of deliberations, according to liverpoolecho.co.uk.

The defendant reportedly shook his head as the jury unanimously convicted him of four counts of indecency on November 13.

The man was sentenced to 18 months in jail in December 2009.

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UK -- A Liverpool kung fu teacher has been convicted of sexually assaulting two girls (age 9 and 11) during self-defense classes. The 60-year-old man partly undressed the girls, kissed their necks and forced them to touch him, a court heard. He allegedly told the young girls this would happen "for real" when an attacker struck, according to bbc.co.uk.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Murder, No Big Deal...

Israel -- Dimitry Kirilik is a former Russian ice hockey player and taekwondo expert who immigrated to Israel in 2004.

The man, who allegedly was wanted in Russia for armed robbery, is now suspected of murdering an Israeli family of six (the Oshrenko family), according to jpost.com.

It is told how the alleged murderer said during his interrogation: "I don't understand why you are so overwrought over the murder of an entire family; it's not such a big deal in Russia."

Police believe the suspect was determined to avenge an insult to his honor, after he was fired from his job as head waiter at an Oshrenko-owned establishment.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Working on Her Green Belt

UK -- A 10-year-old, blind martial arts enthusiast is hoping to be awarded her green belt next week.

Young Jessica Marshall from Bushey has been climbing the ranks of Ju-Jitsu since she was six, despite being completely blind, according to watfordobserver.co.uk.

Friday, October 30, 2009

TKD Instructor Charged

Texas -- A 42-year-old Waco-area taekwondo instructor has been arrested in connection with two sexual assaults involving a middle school girl in 2005 according to kwtx.com.

The man was also charged in connection with threats set forth during a phone call made before his arrest. The girl's mother was allegedly told her daughter's head "would be blown off", according to an affidavit.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Right Wing Karate Expert

UK -- A 39-year-old teacher, former soldier and karate expert, accused of racial and religious intolerance was among bodyguards protecting (right wing) British National Party leader Nick Griffin recently, according to sunderlandecho.com.

The man reportedly resigned from a sports college in 2008 after an investigation into alleged misuse of a school computer. It is claimed he used the computer to post critical comments about asylum seekers, Islam, immigrants and homosexuality on an Internet chat forum during lessons.

Not Your Typical Granny

California -- 69-year-old Marlene Williams is not your typical granny. She has attained what few people half her age have: a black belt in taekwondo.

The Old Agoura resident, mother of three and grandmother of two tied on her black belt in September after undergoing a rigorous testing process that was in no way modified due to her age, according to theacorn.com.

Although it was a proud moment, it was one she'd never really planned on. If, as a spectator at her grandson's tournament a few years ago, she were asked if she'd ever be the one donning a white uniform out on the mat, she'd have said no.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Judo, Cocaine Criminal

UK -- A court was told how a 47-year-old, 6.dan Olympic judo competitor, was the enforcer behind a £50million-a-year drugs gang. The man allegedly carried out brutal torture of people who owed them debts.

The former teacher and martial arts expert was arrested after police attending a routine burglary call stumbled upon a massive cocaine factory at a flat he owned, according to telegraph.co.uk.

Black Belt Great Grandma

Oklahoma -- 74-year-old Jeannie O'Connor form Owasso is know to everyone as "Mamaw". She has seven great grandchildren, holds a third-degree black belt in taekwondo and teaches a beginners taekwondo class in Claremore.

"I saw a picture of Bruce Lee," she said, "and I thought maybe that could help my grandson," according to newsok.com.

"I like the discipline," she says. "And attaining something."

Dangerous Fighting Activity

Canada -- Chilliwack police recently broke up a "MMA" fight that was apparently organised by two 17-year-old boys looking to show off their so-called mixed martial arts skills.

When police arrived at the park near an elementary school, where the "consensual" fight took place, a crowd of about 50 other teen aged onlookers scattered. One of the teenagers had a black eye and bloody nose, but no other serious injury.

Anyone caught slugging it out in public, UFC-style, will be seriously dealt with, Chilliwack police stated.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Cage Fighter Jailed

UK -- A 6'4", 27-year-old amateur MMA fighter assaulted another man in Burnley, at around 4 a.m. on July 26 after a row over a girl.

The 27-year-old victim was knocked unconscious with one punch. The cage fighter then launched a relentless attack of punches and kicks on the victims's lifeless body.

A Burnley Court heard that the victim was left permanently disabled after having every bone in his face broken. He has brain damage, suffered a fractured skull and lost all of his teeth.

Karate Grandads

UK -- Hard-hitting grandfathers Ernest Tuff (71) and Robert McCracken (74) train at a karate club in Ballymoney.

Sprightly Ernest trains every day and more often than not gets the better of men more than half his age, according to ballymoneytimes.co.uk.

Coleraine man Robert started training from scratch in 2001 after watching a TV interview with former Conservative leader William Hague.

"(...) He revealed he was a purple belt in judo," said Robert."I thought, if he can do that, why can't I?"

Judoka Assaulted Woman?

Korea -- Judo teaches respect and athletes usually carry themselves accordingly. However, a Korean high-profile judoka's run-in with the law has raised some questions, according to joongangdaily.joins.com.

Wang Ki-chun, an Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion in the 73 kilogram division has recently and surprisingly announced his retirement from the sport through an online fan site.

The announcement came one day after he was questioned by the police for reportedly assaulting a woman at a night club in Yongin, Gyeonggi.

Finger Fu

China -- Fu Bingli – who has been studying martial arts for 32 years – recently took the Guinness world record for completing 12 press ups on just one finger of his right hand.

Bingli can reportedly perform the feat of standing upside down supporting himself on just one index finger.

Bingli Fu, of Lianyungang, eastern China, said he's been training since he was seven years old. "My index finger has as much strength in it as most people's entire body," he said.

Injuries, Waivers and Negligence

If you operate a martial arts school or club, and thinks a waiver will automatically protect you against a potential lawsuit if a student is injured, think again.

In B.C., Canada, a case is going to court November 23. It involves a student who was injured during in class when he was 16. Three years later, he reportedly continues to suffer from a permanent disability.

The owner of the martial arts school had sought to have the case thrown out because of a waiver that the student's mother signed when her son enrolled at the center.

However, according to a B.C. Supreme Court Justice ruling, the martial arts school was negligent by "failing to take preventative measures to ensure that injuries did not occur in the course of sparring matches by taking such measures as screening participants, instructing participants, requiring suitable protective gear or carefully supervising matches," according to bclocalnews.com

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Carried Away

UK -- A man in a wheelchair had to be helped down Snowdon (the tallest mountain in Wales) by rescuers after a group of martial arts enthusiasts who had carried him there left him on his own during the ascent.

The group of six black belts were reportedly taking part in a fundraising record attempt and had carried the man up the mountain path, according to news.bbc.co.uk.

They abandoned the man - deciding to leave him before they reached the peak. Furthermore, they were too tired when they returned to carry him down.

They had to call out mountain rescuers, who criticised the group's actions. Criticised them? Nah... Really?

Judo and Skin Fungus

An alarm has been raised by the All Japan Judo Federation regarding an epidemic of a skin- and hair-affecting fungus, known as trichophyton tonsurans. They claim it may eventually ruin traditional Japanese (contact) martial arts, such as of sumo and judo.

Dermatology researcher Seitaro Hiruma of Juntendo University in Tokyo said: "The federation has become worried about the situation. Now they are saying that if they leave this infection unchecked it will ruin Japanese judo," according to naturalnews.com.

A survey commissioned by the judo federation has found that nearly one-third of judo clubs and half of high-school judo teams in Japan have experienced this fungus infections.

Black Belts, Watch (Out)!

Here's an article about a new, special type of 'Black Belt Watch' manufactured in Switzerland.

Allegedly, this watch is reserved for black belt holders only, regardless of the individual style of martial art.

It is stated that each practitioner has to provide an official rank certificate, even though I have a hard time seeing how anyone can weed out all the fake "organisations" and "legitimate masters" out there, handing out ranks and diplomas like candy to anyone who can pay a fee.

And don't even get me started about 10 year old "black belt" holders...

Anyhow, it looks like a real nice martial arts watch - black belt or no black belt.

Another nice thing about it, is that Black Belt Watch supports a foundation called "Little Dreams". They reportedly donates a percentage of each sale to the "No Difference" cause - a program which aims to grant young people with a handicap, the chance to realize their passion for a martial art. Very cool indeed!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Serious Sword Skills

Some unbelievable iai-jutsu (sword drawing and cutting) skills. The young master here is named Isao Machii:

Founder Charged

Tennessee -- A legendary preacher and karate expert has been ordered to stay away from the Christian camp he founded on Dayton mountain.

The man -- who perhaps is best-known for slicing a watermelon on the stomach of a young Michael Jordan -- was recently arrested of three counts of sexual battery.

Two former employees at his Christian camp, one a juvenile girl, accused the man of sexual assault in May and in August, according to wdef.com.

Punch Drunk?

Here's a boxer who may have taken a few hits too many ... or he's a full-blown comedian :-)

Monday, October 12, 2009

Arrested: Karate Instructor

California -- Being charged with with sexual battery and molestation of one of his girlfriend's underage relatives, a 41-year-old Desert Hot Springs karate instructor was arrested October 6.

Side note: The man is actually a taekwondo teacher.

The man allegedly touched the girl inappropriately at his home, according to myfoxla.com and mydesert.com. The incidents reportedly occurred over a period of several days in August this year.

Because the man has a "second-degree black belt in martial arts", the girl was afraid at first to report the incidents to police.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Pride of Britain

UK -- Eight-year-old Levana Hanson lost both legs to meningitis and endured 40 operations before having prosthetic legs fitted, according to mirror.co.uk .

Recently, the young karate student proudly walked onto the stage to collect her Child of Courage award from three (British pop group) Girls Aloud stars.

After recovering, the young girl bravely beat bullies near her home in Tewkesbury, by taking up karate.

Appropriate Name...

Nevada -- A 24-year-old MMA fighter with the (very appropriate) nickname "Lunatik", has reportedly been dropped from the UFC after having been accused of threatening and attacking nurses at a Henderson hospital.

The fighter was arrested Tuesday night after he was rushed to hospital following what police said was a suicide attempt involving pills of the anti-anxiety drug Klonopin.

An arrest report said the man tried to fight off nurses, pushing a female nurse and punching a male nurse who tried to subdue him.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

A Clean Record

UK -- Terry 'Turbo' Burrows, from Essex, is a window cleaner with 30 years experience. He is also a black belt in karate.

Recently he broke his own 'Worlds Fastest Window Cleaner' record - cleaning (professionally) three 120 centimeters tall windows in just over 9 seconds, during the '2009 window cleaning competition', held in Blackpool.

The 54-year-old said his success was due "to moving the body in sequence" - drawing upon his karate training to do so.

Terry explained how he's cleaning the windows in just 16 moves, calling it "pretty intense". You can watch the "wash on - wash off" video here.

Lewd Conduct

California -- A 25-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested for indecent exposure, according to abclocal.go.com.

Orange County Sheriff's investigators said the man exposed himself to a woman carrying a baby near an elementary school in September 2009.

Authorities said the suspect admitted to having done it before -- he was arrested for similar crimes in 2004 -- and that he is a karate instructor in Aliso Viejo.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Another Priceless Video

UK -- Here's another instance where to idiots got a well deserved real-life lesson from a couple of skilled martial arts fighters in Swansea.

The two drunken morons tried to pick on a two party-goers dressed in drags ... not realizing the "drag queens" in fact were two cage fighters.

And oh, do the two goons get a thorough reality adjustment :-)

Not only do they get a physical reminder of how not to play tough when you are not. They also got themselves arrested and jailed. Sweet!

The two morons later plead guilty in courts to "using abusive words and behavior" and they were sentenced to four months community order and a 7 p.m. curfew.

Let's hope someone is kind enough to remind the two idiots about their ass-whuppin' every now and then (like constantly).

Cage Fighter Jailed

UK -- MMA fighter Paul Allen -- described as an aggressive and powerfully-built, steroid-pumping fitness fanatic -- has been jailed for 18 years today after admitting his role in Britain's largest ever cash robbery (£53 million).

Allen was the trusted partner of Lee "Lightning" Murray (a fellow cage fighter), who allegedly masterminded the heist at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, according to timesonline.co.uk.

The two men fled to Morocco after the hold-up in February 2006, where the pair took up a cocaine-fuelled party lifestyle, purchasing sumptuously-furnished villas and expensive
cars.

The robbers may have thought they were living out their dreams. However, after four months they were arrested by Moroccan authorities and locked up in Rabat prison -- a rat-infested "hell hole".

Punk Learning a Lesson

UK -- Here's a sweet video showing a British punk (hopefully) learning a lesson - skillfully handed him by a St Helens Gulf war veteran.

Just watch the total control the 35-year-old veteran shows when the idiot street punk tries to pick a fight. And oh, do he ever get his cowardly bottom spanked when the "victim" -- skilled in karate and jiu-jitsu -- unleashes one swift technique.

It is indeed utterly satisfying to see this sorry excuse of human waste crawl away. Mr Smith - you have my utmost respect.

Brothely Love (Not)

New Zealand -- The 23-year-old taekwondo athlete who was planning to finance his 2012 London Olympics bid with the proceeds from a brothel, has been threatened with legal actions by the New Zealand Olympic Committee, according to reuters.com.

The young athlete reportedly opened a brothel with a friend in Auckland earlier this year - going public with the scheme in July.

The national Olympic Committee of New Zealand had now stated in writing that they demand he cease linking the Olympics to his business or face a lawsuit.

A Murder Charge

Alabama -- A 51-year-old Lauderdale County man has been indicted by a grand jury for murder, according to timesdaily.com.

An autopsy has revealed that the man's wife died from a broken neck and not from natural causes or an accidental overdose, officials said.

The man, who reportedly is "skilled in karate and martial arts", claimed he found his 55-year-old wife dead on September 7, 2008.

Investigators said the wife had a few bruises on her neck and several bruises across her body and that she looked like she had been physically abused. Consequently, the body was to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

The autopsy showed the woman had a broken neck and the husband was not able to explain how it happened.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

School District Sued

Missouri -- A high school student in Blue Springs is alleging that school staff allowed MMA-type fighting after a workout with his wrestling team. The student's family is now suing the school district over alleged injuries suffered in a match, according to examiner.net.

"If kids are not trained in this kind of fighting and participate with no head gear or other equipment, serious injuries can happen," said the attorney in the case. "That is what happened here."

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Ping-Fu

Here's a way cool video of "Bruce Lee" use "numb-nuts" in a ping-pong match. It's an ad for a Nokia phone - very well done :-)

Monday, October 05, 2009

From Instructor to Thief

India -- A 51-year-old black belt with the nickname 'Judo Karate', is known for his martial arts skills in Nagpur. However, the martial arts expert is unfortunately also well known for his vehicle theft skills.

The man is now reportedly behind bars with more than 20 offences against his name, according to timesofindia.indiatimes.com.

The former instructor claimed he began his criminal career after meeting some unscrupulous students in his martial arts classes.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Judo "Play"

California -- A renowned judoka and his friend, 22 and 25, reportedly assaulted two men returning from a baseball game September 29 on the Menlo Park Caltrain station.

One of the victim's, who also has a martial arts background, noticed the judoka's jacket and eventually the four men began talking at the station, according to smdailyjournal.com.

The two martial arts guys began "playing around," but the 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds judoka refused to stop once it grew more rough, according to a Chief Deputy District Attorney.

Prosecutors said the incident ended with a broken leg, both victim's seriously beaten, in addition to a robbery charge over a cell phone.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Burning Sensation

Here's this guy - a Chinese kung fu master who allegedly has perfected the art of putting red hot knife blades in his mouth.

55-year-old Ding Zhongliang holds the blades in a blazing fire until the steel is so hot it is almost melting.

The Chongqing (central China) man - is reported to have mastered this feat after years of training in "secret" martial arts iron palm techniques. Allegedly, iron palm students toughen their hands in burning hot sand.

The kung fu master claims the knives don't burn mouth or leave even the smallest mark in his mouth. "After years of training and discipline I am now impervious to heat and fire," the man says.

All well and swell. Still I can't help but have this one -- perhaps silly -- question ... why?

Monday, September 28, 2009

MMA Robbery Suspect

Sweden -- A well known, 31-year-old active MMA fighter has been arrested in Sweden. The man is suspected to have participated in a recent large-scale armed heist against a cash depot in central Stockholm.

The air born robbers used a stolen helicopter and explosives during the raid on Wednesday. They broke into the building through the roof and flew off with bags of cash, according to police.

The pre-dawn heist, described as "daring" and "spectacular", is said to have stunned police in the Swedish capital. The authorities were allegedly unable to get their own helicopters off the ground because suspected explosives had been placed at their hangar outside of Stockholm.

A total of six men has so far been arrested, including a person suspected of flying the helicopter used in the robbery.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Kung-Fu Instructor, Probation

Colorado -- A well known and experienced kung fu instructor in Boulder, 55, who was accused of sexually abusing female students has been ordered to continue with mandatory counseling. He will also serve two years of probation and have no contact with any of his victims, a judge ordered.

The master had been charged with sexual assault and attempted sexual contact against two of his students and he pleaded guilty in August to one charge of misdemeanor harassment.

The case prosecutor told the judge the sexual contact the instructor had with his former students was wrong and unwanted. However, the prosecutor said that the cases would have been hard to prosecute as sexual assaults, according to dailycamera.com.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Religious Nutcases

From trueslant.com (Holy Sh**, It Really Is A Holy War):

"In 2003, I became obsessed with a nearby taekwondo school that was also a fundamentalist Christian 'mission.' I myself have been a student, instructor, and competitor in taekwondo for some time and it just never occurred to me that roundhouse kicks could be used in the name of Jesus."

"I don't know if it was Divine intervention or just a serious sense of the perverse that made me go and spend an evening with them, but I went and what I found out that night changed my life. It scared the s*#t out of me."

Oh, not because I realized I was a sinner and need to be saved. I've made my peace with hell as my future residence a long time ago. But because these people were not just kicking for Christ, but they were clearly very much a part of a larger military-sponsored mission to convert soldiers to fundamentalist Christianity."

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Militant Martial Arts

Indonesia -- Seemingly innocuous martial arts sessions for a couple of Indonesian boys in their village, turned out to actually be the first steps towards being molded into suicide bombers and militants according to nytimes.com.

It is alleged that efforts to recruit malleable boys at schools and sports clubs is a routine method used by Southeast Asian militants to cultivate the next generation of separatist rebels and suicide bombers.

A group of boys discovered the true purpose of their martial arts classes when their instructor, was proven to be an associate of the mastermind behind a string of suicide bombings. The Malaysian-born mastermind was reportedly being harboured in instructor's house.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Martial Arts in School

UK -- At a Derby primary school, young students are set to become some of the first in Britain to take martial arts classes -- such as karate, ju-jitsu and kick-boxing -- as part of their regular lessons, rather than as an out-of-school or after school activity.

"The classes are not just about physical activity but also about self-discipline and respect, which are at the heart of martial arts. In many ways, it will mean PE is an extension of the work we do on anti-bullying and stranger danger in personal, social and health education classes," the school head teacher said according to thisisderbyshire.co.uk.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Compensation Claim Fraud

Popular social networking Web sites such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn are increasingly being searched by workers' compensation claims investigators in order to help insurers and employers fend off bogus claims, according to workforce.com.

Investigators say that some claimants supposedly too disabled to work are posting locations and dates for their upcoming sports competitions or rock band performances - that they might boast of new businesses launched and even include date-stamped photographs of their physical activity.

In one such case, a judo instructor -- claiming a total and permanent back injury -- posted the dates and location of his judo classes, said the president of the fraud and special investigations unit of an Orlando, Florida-based insurance claims investigation service.

WTF Politics Again

The South Korean government is reportedly denying rumors that it is covertly backing a candidate for the upcoming presidential election in the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) , claiming such accusations are groundless.

"The Korean government has nothing to do with the WTF election,'' an official of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.

One of four applicants for the WTF top job, Vice President Nat Indrapana of Thailand, stirred up controversy at the British International Taekwondo Tournament in Manchester, which ended on August 29.

Mr Indrapana allegedly said that he and the South Korean culture, sports and tourism minister, had reached an agreement that the main office of the WTF would be built in Seoul if Indrapana, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was to be selected as President of WKF.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

TKD Hijab Allowed

The governing body of WTF has overturned its decision from 2007 to ban female competitors wearing a traditional hijab under their headgear.

The taekwondo federation said it hopes this decision will help the sport promote gender equality at the upcoming world championships.

The 2007 ruling led to the exclusion of many Muslim women from WTF tournaments. "We believe that our respect for others' cultures and beliefs will allow taekwondo to enhance its status as an Olympic sport," said the chairman of the federation's technical committee.

Sad, But True

Boy, oh boy, do I ever agree with the sentiment below. Sad, but unfortunately true. In my 30 plus years of teaching, I have experienced the same way too many times.

From Mike Davidson in mirror.co.uk ('Fiona, you were right'): "I was a judo coach for 30 years and concluded that there are parents who will give their children anything but time. My judo club was a cheap babysitting service - very few parents stayed to encourage the children."

"One day I was talking to parents, when a lad came up, hugged my legs and said: 'I wish you were my dad'."

"I was the one giving him my time, attention and encouragement. His parents didn't have the time."

The Strongest MMA Fighter

Snicker, snicker...

According to examiner.com and Ted Gambordella, Mariusz Pudzianowski has it all. It is said he has big arms, huge chest, small balls and no MMA talent.

It is referred to the point that he has reportedly practiced karate for 11 years and made it to green belt. This leads to the conclusion that in another 22 years he probably will be a black belt in karate and 25 years a purple belt in Jiu Jistu.

And what's this talk about the use of steroids in MMA? Nah ... it can't possibly be?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Attempted Rape

UK -- (Scotland) A 40-year-old school teacher and judo instructor and has admitted he attempted to rape a nine-year-old boy during a trip to France.

The martial arts black belt and head coach at a children's judo club in East Kilbride was a principal pastoral care teacher at a Glasgow secondary school.

The man, who was a captain of Glasgow University judo club was arrested in Scotland in April and first appeared in court on April 15, according to eveningtimes.co.uk.

Teacher's Shame

UK -- A British court heard how a school supervisor had an affair with a 15-year-old pupil. The same school has had four previous sex scandals, according to metro.co.uk.

The 31-year-old man, who had just been recruited to replace a married female teaching assistant accused of having a relationship with a teenage boy, was said to have ignored warnings about inappropriate behaviour - embarking on the sexual relationship with the teenager.

The girl reportedly joined a martial arts club run by the man and advertised on posters he allegedly put up at the school.

"We had sex seven or eight times. I would go to meet him at the martial arts club," the girl told the court.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

That's So Gay

UK -- A Canadian, petite female martial arts instructor reportedly knocked out a Coldstream Guard for "dancing gaily" during a fracas at a Woolwich Barracks Christmas ball in 2008.

The 24-year-old, 5ft 3 karate instructor, supposedly became enraged at the sight of soldiers dancing in a "gay" camp manner and proceeded to floor a Lance Sergeant with a single punch.

The woman also threw a Sergeant into a sound system and punched his wife.

The woman, who is said to have attended the event with her husband, who was teaching unarmed combat at the barracks, reportedly shouted "[this] should not be allowed in the British Army".

Sword-Wielding, 2. dan

A man, described as emotionally disturbed, made violent advances with a sword toward the police during a standoff at a residence in Mullica Township on September 2, according to shorenewstoday.com.

The first arriving officers found the 25-year-old man -- said to be second-degree black belt and a martial arts instructor -- holding an approximately 30-inch-long sword, police said.

A standoff situation evolved and the situation continued for approximately 90 minutes, according to reports. The subject was taken into custody at about 6 p.m.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Fighter's Death Investigated

Texas -- A 28-year-old professional mixed martial arts fighter was found shot to death on the steps of a Catholic Church Sunday morning in Muleshoe, and police are investigating the case as a suspicious death.

Police said the man had just become a pro fighter in recent months and had lived in Muleshoe for years, according to cnjonline.com.

An Attempted Kidnapper

Washington -- A 27-year-old man is accused of trying to kidnap a 16-year-old Battle Ground girl said he was doing it for sex and money and that he had planned it for a month, according to court documents.

The man apparently taught taekwondo at a location in Vancouver and instructors said he had worked there off and on for three or four years, according to katu.com.

He was said to have been teaching all ages, including other children and teens, but the school said they never had any problems with him.

Martial Arts Cheat

UK -- Putting 'martial arts' as a hobby on a council application form will probably never do you any harm ... unless you're a benefits cheat who have claimed £50,000 incapacity pay-outs while at the same time working as a caretaker.

A 43-year-old man did exactly that, and also claimed a further £30,000 in housing and council tax benefits - in effect almost doubling his salary - over more than a decade, according to telegraph.co.uk.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Karate Trainer in Saudi Jail

Judo karate? That's a new one.

Saudi Arabia -- Usman Shah, a 28-year-old martial arts and "judo karate trainer", left Pakistan for Saudi Arabia in 2002 - hoping for a better future for his family.

He began working as a labourer and then started as a martial arts instructor in a training center in Abha, according to dailytimes.com.pk.

Allegedly, he was then arrested by Saudi authorities in July 2007, under the pretext of being an Al-Qaeda activist.

According to his mother, her son has not been presented in any court. The family also said they have approached Pakistani authorities including (former president) Pervez Musharaf without any progress so far.

Sunday, September 06, 2009

MMA Murder Suspect

Hawaii -- A 29-year-old Honolulu man have been arrested in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old female, according to honoluluadvertiser.com.

The arrested suspect is described as a freelance MMA fighter with two prior convictions.

The teenager was found dead August 24 in an alley adjacent to the housing project where she lived. The high school graduate was strangled, according to police reports.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Real Jew-Jitsu

Just what we need - more gun-toting religious martial arts fanatics...

New York -- Fearing jihadists might attack synagogues during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a group of rabbis has allegedly developed a program to turn average shul-goers into "lean, mean fighting machines", according to nypost.com.

The group, which calls itself the International Security Coalition of Clergy, was founded by Queens Rabbi Gary Moscowitz. He boasts a black belt in karate, says he teaches martial arts and was a NYPD officer for nine years.

He was reportedly fired from the force in the early 1990s...

Now, he's teaching basic and advanced fighting moves to others -- how to take down a terrorist by the neck, using a table as cover from gunfire and executing a nifty running somersault while drawing a gun.

"Jews are not like Christians," he said. "If I turn my cheek, I'm coming around to make a kick."


Monday, August 31, 2009

MMA Predator?

North Dakota -- A 19-year-old Linton, ND man has been arrested after his debut bout in MMA, according to wcco.com.

The middleweight fighter took part in MAX Fights 6 in Fargo. Afterward, the man was arrested on a warrant out of Anoka County, Minnesota. He is reportedly being accused of being a non compliant predator offender.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Salami Fighting Association

Well, I guess it was only a matter of time... :-)
Anyhow, here is a clip with some definite meat to it (probably not something for all you veggies out there)

Kickboxer Convicted

UK -- A 50-year-old kickboxing instructor has been convicted for sexually abusing 21 children (20 boys and one girl - aged between 9 and 13). The children were reportedly trusted into his care over two decades in Wiltshire and west London.

The court was told that the man was a dangerous child abuser who wormed his way into the confidence of parents and their children before abusing them.

The man was arrested on May 2, 2008, after a complaint from a man who said he had been abused by him ten years earlier, according to thisiswiltshire.co.uk .

Thursday, August 27, 2009

"Hairy" Kung Fu

China -- As shown in this video, a 52 year-old Chinese kung fu artist tows cars and cuts paper with her braided hair. However, she has now given it to officially become a Buddhist nun.

Zhang Tingting completely shaved off the hair that she says has "kung fu power" and extraordinary strength so that she can enter a temple as a nun.

Accused of Sex Abuse

oregon -- A 37-year-old martial arts instructor, accused of sexually abusing two of his underage male students, has been arrested in Milwaukie.

The man, who may have been teaching for as long as 14 years, is an instructor at a martial arts studio, in Clackamas.

The Clackamas County sheriff's office is concerned that the suspect may have abused other former students, according to westlinntidings.com.

A Martial Arts Creep

Jeez, what a low life... This makes me sick. Killing an innocent puppy. And for what? Guess you're really proud of yourself now.

An 18-year-old Springfield (Oregon) man has pleaded guilty to animal abuse for using his martial arts training to kill a 14-week-old puppy on June 19, according to registerguard.com.

The case prosecutor called the case the most "abhorrent" of her five-year. She said the defendant pummeled the puppy with his fist and palm so forcefully that he fractured the dog's liver.

The defendant reportedly told a Springfield police detective he "was annoyed by the dog's whining and its soiling the floor of an apartment he shared with the victim and her sister."

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

He "Didn't Mean It"

UK -- An illegal immigrant -- originally from Iran -- told his murder trial how he "lost his temper" and "became mad" at a woman in Foleshill on September 3, 2008.

The man's ex-partner died after being stabbed 14 times during the attack at her Coventry home. The 29-year-old man admitted to killing the 34-year-old woman in front of her 7-year-old daughter, but he claimed he was provoked, according to coventrytelegraph.net .

The, who is nicknamed Jackie due to his resemblance to (martial arts movie star) Jackie Chan and because he holds a black belt in karate, told the jury he "never" meant to kill his ex-partner.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Judo Death

Japan -- On August 4, search.japantimes.co.jp had a story about a 13-year-old boy who died of complications apparently brought on by heatstroke from training at a judo camp in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture.

Authorities originally thought his death might have been brought along from a beating by an instructor, police said. A later autopsy showed how the teenager died of a heart attack, determining there was no direct link between the beating and the boys death.

Police suspect the young judoka suffered heatstroke after training all day long in intense summer heat. They were questioning the people in charge of the camp to figure out how hard they pushed the students.

The 29-year-old judo instructor said he slapped the judo student in the face and kicked him in the abdomen "to discipline him" after supper one day at the hotel where the judo students were staying.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Disturbing Karate Video

Update (September 4, 2009): Police said the victim in this video was not killed. While the video appears to be real, the Dumfries Police Department confirmed that the victim was interviewed after the incident.

Authorities said the man, who was a vagrant who lived in the area, declined to pursue charges.
If the video had surfaced in 1984, authorities said, they would have pursued an investigation.

----

California -- A six minute video, called "shocking and disturbing" by authorities, has caught the attention of police in Hanford.

The video, shot 25 years ago in Virginia, is now reportedly spreading on the Internet. It is showing how a karate instructor orders a student to seriously beat and potentially kill a mentally challenged man.

The Hanford Chief of Police said "It is such a disturbing video and whether it's real or not that still needs to be confirmed."

The footage was supposedly taken on December 13, 1984 at a karate school reportedly owned by a man who may now be living in Hanford.

Friday, August 21, 2009

She'll Get Her Medal

In 1959, 24-year-old "Rusty" Kanokogi (then Rena Glickman) had to disguise herself as a man in order to compete. At the time it was not allowed for women to compete in judo leagues.

Together with her team, she won a gold medal in the YMCA state judo (N.Y.) championships. However, the judges later revoked her medal.

Now, at the age of 74 and probably America's highest ranking woman in the sport, she will finally receive the gold medal she won 50 years ago.

Kanokogi is a pioneer in women's judo. Her accomplishments include lobbying the IOC to recognize women's judo as an Olympic sport.

Accused Instructor

Oregon -- The 37-year-old owner of a Clackamas-area martial-arts school has been arrested, accused of sexually abusing two teenage male students.

A Clackamas County sheriff's spokesman said investigators suspect that the accused instructor has engaged in long-term "grooming" for sexual contact, according to oregonlive.com.

The sheriff's office said -- based on the allegations -- they were concerned that the man may have abused other former students.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

"Blood Sport"

I do really have to ask if this is the kind of attention that MMA and the martial arts wants and needs...

From Delaware thestarpress.com:
Imagine a break in the action at a June 27 MMA ("Rumble in the Jungle") event to allow two young boys -- ages 5 and 6 -- to enter the cage.

And imagine that pre-school bout -- described by some as harmless wrestling but by others as a tearful experience for the children -- overseen by a Muncie police officer, who acted as referee for the evening's worth of blood sport.

You don't have to imagine it. It happened.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Karate: Key to Her Health

UK -- Bronchiectasis is an incurable lung condition involving scarring of the lungs. 16-year-old Lauren Davies, who suffers from this severe condition, didn't let it stop her from becoming a black belt in karate.

The teenager suffers from breathlessness and tiredness and her condition is so severe she may be facing a lung transplant in later life.

But the Castleton teenager has fought her health problems to work her way up to first dan, and also works part-time as a karate instructor in Sudden.

The girl told rochdaleobserver.co.uk: "I have a lot of pain, I constantly have a cough, I have a lot of breathing problems and I get tired a lot. But karate has really helped. My karate friends have been like family to me. They have really helped me through all the tough times I have had."

She has now written a self-help book about her life titled Miss Goals, in conjunction with her karate teacher.

The book tells the story of how she has overcome her problems. She said she hopes the book will help other youngsters with the condition.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Ninjutsu Instructor Murdered

New York -- Three men have been arrested and are facing murder charges in the slaying of a 33-year-old, former martial arts instructor from Staten Island, according to reports.

The victim was recently found inside his mobile home with multiple gunshot wounds to his head, according to silive.com.

Officials have said the murder was a plot and that the three suspects were going to sell the victim's gun collection and split the money.

The murder victim was a third-degree black belt and ninjutsu instructor. "Whoever did this caught him with his guard down," said his former instructor at the dojo where the victim studied ninjutsu for nine years.

Instructor Pleads Guilty

Florida -- A 36-year-old instructor from Fort Myers have pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching one of his female students at his karate studio according to news-press.com.

The guilty sentence cam seven months after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint against the man.

He will reportedly serve seven years in prison, followed by five years of sexual offender probation.

TKD Champion Indicted

Japan -- A 24-year-old former regional taekwondo champion has been indicted for attempted rape and breaking and entering, according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

The man will reportedly be charged with two attempted rapes in Iruma in 2006 and 2008. These charges come on top of six other crimes he allegedly committed between 2000 and 2009.

"(...) was expelled following his first arrest. These acts greatly shamed taekwondo, and as a coach I also feel responsible," TKD Secretary-General Hiroshi Kanai, said.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Suspected Instructor

Louisiana -- A 40-year-old instructor allegedly kissed one of his 15-year-old martial arts students and sent her messages and letters - claiming he loved her and wanted to marry her, according to shreveporttimes.com.

The man was arrested after the girl's mother reported the alleged inappropriate contact. The man reportedly admitted to kissing the girl numerous times a a karate school in Bossier City. The incidents occurred between April 1 and July 29.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

"Expert" Creep

What a sleazeball...

UK -- A 33-year-old martial arts "expert", cage-fighter and steroid addict raped a 25-year-old model he met on Facebook – a victim whom he also beat black and blue. Furthermore, he arranged for a friend to throw acid in her face in order to try to stop her from going to the police.

The creep was caged for life in May 2009. However, this human waste has now written to the British Ministry of Justice claiming his gym privileges have been withdrawn "illegally".

The whining moron reportedly quoted complex jail rules in an attempt to overturn the ban, which came into effect after he was caught with a mobile phone at the prison where he is serving time.

But his complaint was slapped down by the Ministry, which said he had a legal right to only one to two hours of exercise per week, according to dailystar.co.uk.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Judo Kidnapper

India -- A three-year-old child would likely have been taken away by kidnappers on Monday night in New Dehli, had it not been for an alert auto driver.

A teenage recovery agent was been arrested in the incident. However, his accomplices, including a martial arts (judo) trainer, managed to flee.

The child was allegedly kidnapped from his house on Monday night. His three abductors bundled him into an auto and headed for a bus terminal. The child's constant weeping made the driver suspicious and he stopped his vehicle to alert the police.

While the 19-year-old recovery agent was arrested, two others - a 25 year-old judo trainer and a 25-year-old man, got away.

The arrested man said the judo trainer needed money. So, he hatched the plan to kidnap the child for ransom, according to timesofindia.indiatimes.com.

Judo Coach Reported

Japan -- A 49-year-old Shizuoka junior high school teacher was reported to police by one of his students for dealing out corporal punishment during judo classes, according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

The girl and her parents said that the male teacher, the school's judo team coach, ordered another boy to slap her in the face with both hands during a practice session on August 30 2008. The student reportedly suffered injuries to her head and mouth that took several days to heal.

"I may have beaten her a few times with a bamboo sword," the teacher was quoted as saying during a later hearing.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Why Karate Rules

Here's a really great article titled "Why Karate Rules For Kids", by Dr. Alanna Levine. You should definitely check it out!

Naturally, most proper, well taught martial arts could be substituted for karate in this example. Anyhow, it is well worth listening to what this mother and professional pediatrician has to say about martial arts for her two young daughters.

"They are strengthening their muscles, enhancing their flexibility, and improving their cardiovascular health. At the same time, they are building their confidence, and learning discipline and respect. But most importantly, they are having fun!"

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Belt Kata

Just a funny cartoon for you today guys :-)

On a slightly more serious note, it is indeed quite a number of folks who doesn't exactly know how to properly tie a martial arts belt.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Taekwondo Assault

Cyprus -- A 26-year-old martial arts taekwondo "expert" was recently found guilty of assaulting a Nicosia traffic warden and causing actual bodily harm in August 2008.

The incident took place when the 26-year-old man -- reportedly a taekwondo champion -- parked his car in a handicapped spot, according to cyprus-mail.com.

As the warden issued a fine and placed it on defendants' car's windshield the car owner returned to the scene. Upon seeing the traffic warden he began shouting and swearing at him, even though the warden pointed out he had been illegally parked.

When the traffic warden demanded to know the 26-year-old's details to report him to police for the verbal assault, the defendant pushed him causing the traffic warden to fall to the ground.

As the defendant got in his car and made to leave, the traffic warden put out his hand to stop him and cracked the vehicle's windshield. This enraged the martial arts expert who then got out of the car, kicked and grabbed the traffic warden by the neck bringing him to his knees and unable to breathe.

Thanks to the intervention of eyewitnesses the defendant was pulled off his victim.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Passionate About Karate

Florida -- Panama City Beach resident Guilherme Santos is really passionate about karate. The sport is not only teaching the young man discipline and self-defense, it also helps him walk.

"Gui" was born with a divided spinal cord, so his left foot doesn't lift when he walks. Karate has helped, according to wjhg.com.

"He has a very positive attitude," his karate instructor said. "I have never seen him get frustrated or give up, I can't really put into words how to describe his motivation. He never seems to be put out if he can't keep up with the other students, he is always giving it his best."

Fight for Life

New Zealand -- Even though Jessie Gordon will one day need a heart transplant, that doesn't stop the plucky teenager her living life to the full.

Nor does it keep the 15-year-old Glen Eden resident out of the competitive sports arena, according to stuff.co.nz.

The 15-year-old, who doctors once said was unlikely to survive into her teen years, holds a regional title in kung fu.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Karateka With Fetish

UK -- A 54-year-old karate black belt with a fetish for spanking was jailed for attacking a 60-year-old woman.

The man reportedly targeted the woman after drinking eight cans of beer. He placed the woman over his knee and hit her 60 times with one of her slippers. He also assaulted the woman sexually, according to thisishullandeastriding.co.uk.

A few years ago, a 17-year-old girl got away, after he pulled down her knickers and tried to spank her. He was convicted for that offence at the time.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Sexual Exploitation Charge

Canada -- A 35-year-old Grimsby martial arts teacher who reportedly speaks in the public school system about bullying, has been arrested by police.

The man is facing a sexual exploitation charge involving a girl, 17 years old at the time.

Police said the alleged incident occurred between December 2005 and March 2006, according to stcatharinesstandard.ca.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

An Improbable TKD Career

Colorado -- After overcoming bone cancer, 37-year-old Ben Schwenk underwent 17 surgeries in less than two weeks in 1990. His leg was amputated above the knee, but a radical operation preserved his calf muscle, quadriceps and hamstring. And it opened the door for an improbable taekwondo career.

Competing with a specially designed prosthetic leg, he has quickly climbed the ladder in the world's most practiced martial art, after taking up taekwondo in 2007 according to gazette.com.

Schwenk called his prosthetic leg a blessing in disguise. "I wouldn't be who I am without it," he said. "I wouldn't have experienced so many other things. I wouldn't have met my wife. I would have never gotten here. … I lost my leg, but I gained my life."

Taekwondo Treatment

Missouri -- After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, 9-year-old Alexis started wearing leg braces when she was 18 months old. For about an hour, part of her treatment is taking off the braces and wearing a taekwondo uniform to practice martial arts with her instructor.

Alexis said she likes working on her roundhouse kick. She said she practices in the grass at home because she falls down often, but never gives up, according to semissourian.com.

Her grandmother said, after two months of taekwondo she is showing improvement in balance and flexibility. For example, she can now stand flat-footed and brush the floor with her hand.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Karate School Leader Convicted

Florida -- A 44-year-old former karate school leader has been found guilty of molesting a teenage girl at his Sunrise home.

Police said the man was arrested in April 2007, after giving the teenager a massage at his home. He then fondled her and performed a sex act on her, an arrest report said according to sun-sentinel.com.

Authorities learned about the case when the girl, who was 15 years old at the time, told a high school friend about the molestation.

Martial Arts Threats

UK -- A 34-year-old Airdrie man has pleaded guilty to displaying aggression towards paramedics who were called to treat him after a fall. The drunk man reportedly threatened them with his martial arts skills, claiming to be a black belt in jujitsu.

The medics were called to attend the man's home on Friday, March 13. At one point, the accused became aggressive towards the helpers, a prosecutor said according to acadvertiser.co.uk.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A Big Victory

Indiana -- Just five years ago, it would have been deemed impossible for him to participate in taekwondo. Due to his Autism, it would have been even more impossible for him to excel in it.

But now, four years after taking up the sport, Nathan Bolles, 15, is thriving and enjoying every moment of it.

Despite the fact he has high function Autism, taekwondo has seemed to dramatically help the teenager. His positive outlook has helped as well, and his good demeanor towards others has been a reward of the sport, according to thenewsdispatch.com.

Kung Fu Taxidermist

Here's a kind of weird Craigslist ad:

I wanna hire a taxidermist!

"I am looking to hire someone with the means to obtain and stuff animals in fashions I choose, which will be Kung Fu for now. When I was younger I convinced a friend of mines dad to create two squirrels Kung Fu fighting.

I still think about it from time to time and have decided to get my own Kung Fu animals, I understand this is a bizarre request. Serious inquiries only, please e-mail me the species of animals you commonly hunt or can obtain and your rate for taxidermy of each in various Kung Fu poses. Mounting preferred.

Once again I feel I must state this is serious. If you can show any of your previous work it will probably give you an edge on the competition.

Please respond via e-mail. Thank you."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Trial Date Set

Arizona - A trial date has been set for a former Flagstaff high school electronics teacher accused of having underage sex with 2 of his female students, 15 and 16 at the time. The 36-year-old man was arrested at the school in February.

The two teen aged students also attended a karate school operated by the accused that rented property at the school.

Police reports said the alleged sexual conduct appears to have been consensual and that it did not occur on school grounds.

Judo and Karate Threats

UK (Scotland) -- A 59-year-old man from Stonehaven admitted in court to using lewd and libidinous practices towards two Glasgow children (a boy and girl) in the 1970s, as well as another girl in the 1970s and 1980s.

The man threatened three children with karate and judo so they would keep quiet about being sexually abused by him, according to eveningexpress.co.uk.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

"Commando Raid" Killings

Florida -- Usatoday.com reported that money likely was the motive of seven men accused of murdering the wealthy couple -- Byrd and Melanie Billings -- who had adopted 13 special-needs children, according to police.

Officials said the men shot the couple at their home while nine of the children were inside. The suspects escaped with a safe.

Investigators said the group of men supposedly trained for a month to rob the couple's home.

Using surveillance camera footage, the police was able to conclude that the suspects had left the scene in a red van. A resident later tipped police off to the location of the vehicle.

A 35-year-old man, described as a key person in the crime, said in court he was innocent. Police also arrested his 56-year-old father, who drove the getaway van according to police.

The 35-year-old man had been featured in news articles as a self-defense expert who taught martial arts. The man recently received an award for his volunteerism.