Case in point being this 40-year-old mother from the UK who claimed £18.000 over a period of five years during which time she reportedly became a second dan black belt in the martial art and also took part in competitions.
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| Image from telegraph.co.uk |
Showing posts with label black belt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black belt. Show all posts
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Disability Claim While Going for Taekwondo Black Belt
I suppose claiming disability while at the same time being fit enough for black belt exams in taekwondo isn't the smartest of moves ... unless you want to have authorities on your back faster than you can say 'kick and punch'.
Case in point being this 40-year-old mother from the UK who claimed £18.000 over a period of five years during which time she reportedly became a second dan black belt in the martial art and also took part in competitions.
Case in point being this 40-year-old mother from the UK who claimed £18.000 over a period of five years during which time she reportedly became a second dan black belt in the martial art and also took part in competitions.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Confuse-Us Speaks #28
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| Brown belt - by conskeptical, Flickr.com |
Oh yes, jolly old great-grandmaster Confuse-Us is totally on the ball with his one.
I don't even dare to think what this guy would have been called, had he been a black belt.
I am positive the man himself didn't mention anything about expert status, or any other status for that matter. Your typical reporter will fill in the blanks quite nicely and make it all oh so sensational.
In any case, here's the piece of Confuse-Us approved shenanigans with the title: "Get me out of here...I'm a karate expert." Simply brilliant!
A brown belt in karate kept his cool after ending up locked inside Maldon’s leisure centre.So now you know, becoming a karate expert is just a stroll in the park, you don't even need one of them deadly black belts!
When ceramic tiler Dave Collins’ late evening karate class ended Tuesday night, he had a quick shower before realising he was locked in at the Blackwater Leisure Centre.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Lost Match - Killed Herself
India -- Police said a 19-year-old female student, holding a "black-belt in martial arts" (duh), hanged herself after losing a karate match.
The tragic incident occurred at the young woman's home in Begum Bazaar, Hyderabad on Saturday evening, according to ibnlive.in.com.
Family members reportedly said the young woman was very depressed after she lost a karate fight during the annual sports competition at her college.
The tragic incident occurred at the young woman's home in Begum Bazaar, Hyderabad on Saturday evening, according to ibnlive.in.com.
Family members reportedly said the young woman was very depressed after she lost a karate fight during the annual sports competition at her college.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Karateka Died
India -- In what was called a tragic accident, a karate fighter from Jharkhand reportedly died minutes after winning the National Championship in Pune.
The black belt competitor allegedly complained of chest pain after a blow from an opponent during the competitions. Despite the injury, the victim went on to win the title, according to daily.bhaskar.com.
The fighter collapsed minutes after winning the tournament and died on the way to hospital.
The black belt competitor allegedly complained of chest pain after a blow from an opponent during the competitions. Despite the injury, the victim went on to win the title, according to daily.bhaskar.com.
The fighter collapsed minutes after winning the tournament and died on the way to hospital.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Major Kung Fu Fail
...Or why it is always a good idea to do some basic research prior to taking up a martial art, rather than after the fact.
The site avvo.com has a question from someone who apparently has had a run-in with an apparent "kung fuka".
First off - the individual claimed to have paid in the excess of 10 grand (holly smoke!) to be taught by a fake 10th degree kung fu black belt - only to find that the master was an obvious fake and that there's no Chinese governmental kung fu organization that awards black belts.
The person managed to get a third of the truly insane tuition fee back from filing a lawsuit through a small claims court.
A few minutes of research could have saved the individual of being royally taken for a ride ... kung fu style.
The site avvo.com has a question from someone who apparently has had a run-in with an apparent "kung fuka".
First off - the individual claimed to have paid in the excess of 10 grand (holly smoke!) to be taught by a fake 10th degree kung fu black belt - only to find that the master was an obvious fake and that there's no Chinese governmental kung fu organization that awards black belts.
The person managed to get a third of the truly insane tuition fee back from filing a lawsuit through a small claims court.
A few minutes of research could have saved the individual of being royally taken for a ride ... kung fu style.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Fighting Spirit
UK -- Eleven-year-old Daniel Kimmins was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, according to thisisbath.co.uk.
After two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the young boy was reportedly left mute and unable to move the left side of his body.
Now, this real-life fighter, who has had to learn to walk and talk again, is set to achieve black belt in taekwondo. Way to go son!
After two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the young boy was reportedly left mute and unable to move the left side of his body.
Now, this real-life fighter, who has had to learn to walk and talk again, is set to achieve black belt in taekwondo. Way to go son!
Monday, July 04, 2011
Judo Benefit Fiddler
UK -- While teaching and practicing judo, a 46-year-old black belt judoka has been pocketing in excess of £1,000 a month in disability support, according to thesun.co.uk.
The civil war refugee from Congo, who does judo at a community sports center in North London has allegedly even been posting pictures of himself in judo gear on Facebook.
Documents supposedly show the man, who's also been described as "a violent drunk" was sent a letter in April 2008 where officials accepted he was "virtually unable to walk" and needed "attention with bodily functions through the day".
The civil war refugee from Congo, who does judo at a community sports center in North London has allegedly even been posting pictures of himself in judo gear on Facebook.
Documents supposedly show the man, who's also been described as "a violent drunk" was sent a letter in April 2008 where officials accepted he was "virtually unable to walk" and needed "attention with bodily functions through the day".
Friday, June 17, 2011
Accused of Assault on Students
Canada -- York police said a A 57-year-old Richmond Hill judo instructor has been arrested and charged after being accused of assault on four of his students, according to cp24.com.
It is reported that the investigation began in May 2010 when investigators received information that led them to look into alleged abusive behavior at the club.
The alleged victims are four boys between the ages of six and 15. The charges against the instructors indicate a weapon may been used. The charges also include a single count of uttering death threats.
The instructor - who reportedly served as the "Vice President of Karate-do" in Ukraine during the early 1990s - allegedly holds a black belt rank in judo, karate and jiu-jitsu.
It is reported that the investigation began in May 2010 when investigators received information that led them to look into alleged abusive behavior at the club.
The alleged victims are four boys between the ages of six and 15. The charges against the instructors indicate a weapon may been used. The charges also include a single count of uttering death threats.
The instructor - who reportedly served as the "Vice President of Karate-do" in Ukraine during the early 1990s - allegedly holds a black belt rank in judo, karate and jiu-jitsu.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Disruptive Orange Belt
Still, it took several Taser hits, an expandable baton and five police officers to get the disruptive 36-year-old transient under control and under arrest.
Just imagine what would have happened if he had been a deadly black belt...
Monday, May 02, 2011
Black Belt at 85
North Carolina -- Kinston resident Bill Vandivere - 85 years old, no less -- recently passed his black belt grading in taekwondo.
Together with his wife, 85-year-old Alice, he has been training the art for six years, according to enctoday.com.
Amazing... Congrats to you both!
Together with his wife, 85-year-old Alice, he has been training the art for six years, according to enctoday.com.
Amazing... Congrats to you both!
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Black Belt and MS
Illinois -- There are unfortunately quite a lot of people who buckle under, bow out and give in to the art of No-Can-Do. Then there are those who fight the odds, what ever they may be, and who shine in the winning art of Can-Do.
Father-of-one, 43-year-old Stephen Jolly is one of these people who seemingly gets right back up after being dealt a nasty blow.
He is diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) but still thrives in taekwondo. He is about to test for his black belt together with his son, and you could probably get some major inspiration too from reading his story.
Father-of-one, 43-year-old Stephen Jolly is one of these people who seemingly gets right back up after being dealt a nasty blow.
He is diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) but still thrives in taekwondo. He is about to test for his black belt together with his son, and you could probably get some major inspiration too from reading his story.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Teacher Shot, Killed
Florida -- A 61-year-old world history teacher, who also taught taekwondo, was shot and killed in North Port when he stepped outside to see who rang his doorbell around 10 p.m.
Police said the victim's wife told them there was just gunshots and no conversation, according to wpbf.com. The woman said she saw two people wearing masks and dressed in dark clothes running from the area.
The victim was an original faculty member at a charter middle and high arts school in Palmetto, and he taught taekwondo at the same school. Because of his martial arts skills, he was known around the school as "Master Ellis".
According to bradenton.com 17-year-old Jason, one of the man's taekwondo students said: "He wasn't just a teacher. He was family. He didn't do it for the money. He didn't do it just because it was his job. He loved every single person. He would talk to us as we needed him. He would take time out of his class to talk with us about personal problems."
Second dan black belt Taylor Lesoine, who had been Ellis' student since the seventh grade. said: "Being with a master, it changed me for the better. I owe almost all I am today to Master Ellis."
Too sad...
Police said the victim's wife told them there was just gunshots and no conversation, according to wpbf.com. The woman said she saw two people wearing masks and dressed in dark clothes running from the area.
The victim was an original faculty member at a charter middle and high arts school in Palmetto, and he taught taekwondo at the same school. Because of his martial arts skills, he was known around the school as "Master Ellis".
According to bradenton.com 17-year-old Jason, one of the man's taekwondo students said: "He wasn't just a teacher. He was family. He didn't do it for the money. He didn't do it just because it was his job. He loved every single person. He would talk to us as we needed him. He would take time out of his class to talk with us about personal problems."
Second dan black belt Taylor Lesoine, who had been Ellis' student since the seventh grade. said: "Being with a master, it changed me for the better. I owe almost all I am today to Master Ellis."
Too sad...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Master, at 91
UK -- He was born in 1919, yet 91-year-old Cristobal Campos is reportedly super fit and gives far younger people a run for their money, according to sunderlandecho.com.
Mr Campos who took up taekwondo at the age of 80 after watching his grandsons, said he had been practicing the martial arts for 11 years.
"I'm a fourth dan black belt. It helps me keep active and is good for self-defense. I am known as Master Campos."
The great-grandfather, who lives in West Boldon and originally hails from Spain, tops up his taekwondo training with weekly sessions at the gym.
Great going sir!
Mr Campos who took up taekwondo at the age of 80 after watching his grandsons, said he had been practicing the martial arts for 11 years.
"I'm a fourth dan black belt. It helps me keep active and is good for self-defense. I am known as Master Campos."
The great-grandfather, who lives in West Boldon and originally hails from Spain, tops up his taekwondo training with weekly sessions at the gym.
Great going sir!
Saturday, March 05, 2011
A "Blackbelter"
Philippines -- A drunken 31-year-old man, bragging about how he was a "karate expert" and "blackbelter" was reportedly hacked to death with a bolo (a weapon similar to a machete) by his neighbor in a village on the east coast, according to sunstar.com.ph.
The incident took place around 8 p.m. Thursday, local police said. The victim was passing near the residence of his neighbor, on his way home, when he challenged the suspect to a fistfight, bragging about being a "blackbelter".
The suspect grabbed the bladed weapon and hit the victim several times, killing him on the spot, according to police.
The incident took place around 8 p.m. Thursday, local police said. The victim was passing near the residence of his neighbor, on his way home, when he challenged the suspect to a fistfight, bragging about being a "blackbelter".
The suspect grabbed the bladed weapon and hit the victim several times, killing him on the spot, according to police.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Black-Belt Journey
As a regular reader of this blog, you're more than likely aware of my opinion on the practice of handing out black belts to kids. To me this quest for having "the youngest black belt holder in ..." (pick you city, region, country or art), is nothing but plain and utterly ignorance.
Yes the kids are cute, fired up, good and what not at what they do, and of course the parents are totally proud. Myself, I love kids who succeed and thrive in martial arts to death, make no mistake about it. It is just this idea of handing out a black belt to a young kid after a few years of training which really ticks me off royally.
Consequently, when I do get the odd chance to read about a teacher, school or art who does it the proper way; who understands the intrinsic value of a black belt - having a child go through the stages as they are intended to - this gives me a renewed faith in the martial arts.
Enter this article from pittsburghlive.com. It's about a young man named Steve Goodiski Jr. Steve began training karate at the age of 5. By working steadily and hard, he is now graded to junior black belt at the age of 12. When he reaches 18 - and if he continues his study - he can test for his shodan black belt (1. degree adult black belt).
Now, compare this to the two or three years to black belt time span that some schools insists on having, basically handing out black belts like it is candy to kids at 5, 6 or 7 years of age. Not good at all, in my book...
That's why I'd like to take the opportunity to applaud Perry Culver Jr. sensei, and the other teachers at http://culverkarate.com/ Culver Karate Club in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Seems like Shotokan karate-do at it's best.
My sincere congratulations and a big thank you!
Yes the kids are cute, fired up, good and what not at what they do, and of course the parents are totally proud. Myself, I love kids who succeed and thrive in martial arts to death, make no mistake about it. It is just this idea of handing out a black belt to a young kid after a few years of training which really ticks me off royally.
Consequently, when I do get the odd chance to read about a teacher, school or art who does it the proper way; who understands the intrinsic value of a black belt - having a child go through the stages as they are intended to - this gives me a renewed faith in the martial arts.
Enter this article from pittsburghlive.com. It's about a young man named Steve Goodiski Jr. Steve began training karate at the age of 5. By working steadily and hard, he is now graded to junior black belt at the age of 12. When he reaches 18 - and if he continues his study - he can test for his shodan black belt (1. degree adult black belt).
Now, compare this to the two or three years to black belt time span that some schools insists on having, basically handing out black belts like it is candy to kids at 5, 6 or 7 years of age. Not good at all, in my book...
That's why I'd like to take the opportunity to applaud Perry Culver Jr. sensei, and the other teachers at http://culverkarate.com/ Culver Karate Club in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Seems like Shotokan karate-do at it's best.
My sincere congratulations and a big thank you!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Charged With Molestation
Virginia -- A 42-year-old former elementary school employee and black belt martial arts instructor has been charged by Waynesboro authorities with molestation of a girl, according to newsvirginian.com.
A police spokesman said an assault occurred in a home in the southwest part of the city in mid-December. He said the pre-teen girl immediately told her parents.
Authorities said the alleged victim was not associated to the man through his working roles.
A police spokesman said an assault occurred in a home in the southwest part of the city in mid-December. He said the pre-teen girl immediately told her parents.
Authorities said the alleged victim was not associated to the man through his working roles.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Grandma Kwon Do
Not bad at all... In fact, very cool :-)
Here we have someone past her teens who actually have spent some time to achieve her black belt (and no, two to three years is not some time).
And not only that, the grandmother correctly explains some of the the difference between Japanese karate and Korean taekwondo - more than a lot of the MacDojo so-called "karate black belt" holders out there is capable of.
North Carolina -- At the age of 59, LaVerne Tysinger from Denton began tae kwon do lessons at the age of 59 and then set a goal for herself — to attain a black belt before she turned 65, according to the-dispatch.com.
Here we have someone past her teens who actually have spent some time to achieve her black belt (and no, two to three years is not some time).
And not only that, the grandmother correctly explains some of the the difference between Japanese karate and Korean taekwondo - more than a lot of the MacDojo so-called "karate black belt" holders out there is capable of.
North Carolina -- At the age of 59, LaVerne Tysinger from Denton began tae kwon do lessons at the age of 59 and then set a goal for herself — to attain a black belt before she turned 65, according to the-dispatch.com.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Now, That's a Sensei
All this talk about being a "master" or an "expert" as soon as you've reached the level of black belt will probably never stop. The uneducated media will always need something to write about when the next Karate Kid shows up.
Now don't get me wrong, the achievement is always a good thing for that individual. Also, many students still have to work long and hard for that grade ... and mind you, we're not exactly talking about two or three years of "training" at a black belt mill either for those who are truly dedicated to martial arts.
In all fairness, almost anyone should be able to reach the level of first dan, black belt in most martial arts, providing you give it enough time and regular training.
Now, dedicating 50 years or more to an art and still be kicking, like 68-year-old James Ambrose sensei here has done in the hard karate style of shotokan - that's an other matter all together.
This, to me, is a sensei - a master and expert worth writing and reading about.
Now don't get me wrong, the achievement is always a good thing for that individual. Also, many students still have to work long and hard for that grade ... and mind you, we're not exactly talking about two or three years of "training" at a black belt mill either for those who are truly dedicated to martial arts.
In all fairness, almost anyone should be able to reach the level of first dan, black belt in most martial arts, providing you give it enough time and regular training.
Now, dedicating 50 years or more to an art and still be kicking, like 68-year-old James Ambrose sensei here has done in the hard karate style of shotokan - that's an other matter all together.
This, to me, is a sensei - a master and expert worth writing and reading about.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A Well Deserved Black Belt
It really doesn't matter if you're 7 or 97 - getting handed a black belt (usually in karate or taekwondo and almost exclusively in the US) after two to three years of training is plain old rubbish.
We see way too many otherwise great and inspiring stories of senior citizens (as well as youngsters) who get the coveted black belt after such a short period of time - and it sadly ends up being a shame and a real insult to the arts - as well as the people involved.
It is in itself such a fantastic thing that these folks take up the arts and stay with it. Isn't it then a real disservice to hand out a black belt simply because you're considered young or old?
At least I know I would tell anyone to stuff it if the came to me with a grade like this prematurely. Let me earn the belt on my own merits, I don't want to buy it!
It is a real pleasure then, to report about a senior citizen from the UK (Northern Ireland), Mr Robert McCracken. This gentleman is 75 years old and he took up karate at the age of 66.
The chief instructor and technical adviser of the association, told belfasttelegraph.co.uk: "I knew he would do it. When I'm teaching he's just one of the crowd. The fact that he's 75 doesn't come into it."
That's more like it and a huge round of applause to Mr McCracken!
We see way too many otherwise great and inspiring stories of senior citizens (as well as youngsters) who get the coveted black belt after such a short period of time - and it sadly ends up being a shame and a real insult to the arts - as well as the people involved.
It is in itself such a fantastic thing that these folks take up the arts and stay with it. Isn't it then a real disservice to hand out a black belt simply because you're considered young or old?
At least I know I would tell anyone to stuff it if the came to me with a grade like this prematurely. Let me earn the belt on my own merits, I don't want to buy it!
It is a real pleasure then, to report about a senior citizen from the UK (Northern Ireland), Mr Robert McCracken. This gentleman is 75 years old and he took up karate at the age of 66.
The chief instructor and technical adviser of the association, told belfasttelegraph.co.uk: "I knew he would do it. When I'm teaching he's just one of the crowd. The fact that he's 75 doesn't come into it."
That's more like it and a huge round of applause to Mr McCracken!
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Accused of Sexual Assault
Update, August 2011: Although the now 17-year-old victim asked for some "human compassion," the man was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of intensively supervised sex-offender probation for two felony sex on a child convictions.
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Colorado -- Just hours before he was scheduled to board a plane for Japan with a group of his teenage students, a 51-year-old Longmont karate instructor and high school teacher was arrested, according to dailycamera.com.
The man is reportedly suspected of having sexual contact with an underage girl - a student of of his. He is described as a as black belt in karate, leading a local karate club.
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Colorado -- Just hours before he was scheduled to board a plane for Japan with a group of his teenage students, a 51-year-old Longmont karate instructor and high school teacher was arrested, according to dailycamera.com.
The man is reportedly suspected of having sexual contact with an underage girl - a student of of his. He is described as a as black belt in karate, leading a local karate club.
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