Female Karateka Fought Back

Italy -- A 29-year-old four times karate champion was recently assaulted in a central part of Rome, according to the telegraph.co.uk.

A man approached the woman in broad daylight and asked for a cigarette. She told the man she did not smoke, and that's when he reportedly grabbed her around the neck.

The karate black belt and prison officer immediately knocked the man down with a couple of punches to the attacker's face, according to media.

Samurai Granny

Don't underestimate 5 feet tall Kiko Wakabayshi: She's a master in jujitsu, jojitso (sic), kenjitso (sic), judo, kendo, and karate.

The 77-year-old martial arts expert, also known as "Samurai Granny," has been hired by the Italian military to train their recruits in hand-to-hand combat, according to nydailynews.com.

Nutty Night-Time Ninja

"A Russian man, dressed as a Japanese ninja warrior, allegedly terrorized rural northern Italy with late-night robberies." And inspired by Robin Hood, no less. Now, this is really strange - even for a ninja :-)

The thief - emulating Japanese ninja - dressed all in black with a knife strapped to his leg and carrying a bow and arrows had been terrorizing farmers by smashing into their homes and demanding cash and valuables.

A suspect was arrested Monday night when an elderly farmer startled a thief by discharging a rifle. The alleged thief fled on a bicycle but was chased and caught by police in a nearby deserted farmhouse, a report said.

The suspect was identified as a former member of the Russian army. He apparently had his literature confused, as the suspect told police he modeled himself on Robin Hood, who rather than stealing from the poor, stole from the rich to give to the poor.

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Brooklyn Monk

There's a new book out, called 'The Monk From Brooklyn: An American at the Shaolin Temple.' Should be a real interesting read for any martial arts buff!

The author Antonio Graceffo, who has twenty-five years of experience with martial arts, has written a book about his studies in kung fu at the Shaolin Temple, in Henan, China.

According to a press release, "His background gives him a very unique perspective. An Italian-American from Brooklyn, New York, and a former investment banker, Antonio was educated in some of the best universities that Europe and Asia had to offer."

According to reviews this is a funny, inspiring, interesting and (brutally) honest book about the life and training at the temple.

Again from the press release: "He doesn't pull any punches writing about the filthy conditions and the diminished mental capacities of people who spent a lifetime learning to kick, but never bothered to learn to read and write. The title says it all. Put a Chinese-speaking Italian-American, from Brooklyn in the holiest of Buddhist temples, and watch the racial harmony flow."

You can find out more here:

Popemobile runner

Guys ... It's a judo chop - not karate. Karate kick, judo chop - everyone (even the poepe) should know that!

Story:
Vatican City -- Camillo Cibin holds the world record for miles jogged alongside a moving popemobile.

He made his last run around St. Peter's Square May 31 and retired June 3, two days short of his 80th birthday.

When the hordes broke through the security cordon after the pope's May 26 Mass in Warsaw, Cibin exhibited his well-honed skill of gently tossing interlopers aside like they were pieces of tissue.

Cibin also is master of a modified karate chop that prevents people from grabbing onto the pope or his vestments yet leaves no broken bones.

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