Crappy "Krotty" Drivers

Car crash - Illustration from Wikipedia

Really hope we don't see any crappy "krotty" drivers trends here...

First you had the wild story of the karate (aka. krotty) parent from Ohio who drove his two young children to karate practice, while under influence ... and managed to be an hour late to boot.

Then you had another one - from Ontario, Canada this time. Karate parent late for his son's class. Windsorstar.com reports:

A 26-year-old man has been charged with careless driving. Police reports show he was late getting his son to Karate class.
The two-car collision happened just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday night.
A 2004 Chevrolet, driven by the 26-year-old man, was travelling southbound on Bernard hit a 2009 Pontiac travelling eastbound on Seminole, causing the Chevrolet to slam into the wall of Trevi Pizza.

Guys, take it easy... please. Karate and other martial arts is supposed to be fun and all that ... nothing to risk anyone's life or health over.

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".

Hong Kong Fu Airline

China -- (Hong Kong) In order to deal with unruly - and most often drunk - passengers, Hong Kong Airlines is set to have all its cabin crew take kung fu classes, according to google.com.

The airlines has said that all staff have been invited to participate in wing chun training, but that this training had been made compulsory only for their cabin crews.

The company's deputy general manager of corporate communication said they had on the average of three incidents involving disruptive passengers every week on board their aircrafts.

On a recent flight from Beijing to Hong Kong, a crew member reportedly had to put her martial arts training into practice.

Practicing Being a Ninja

Well, what can you say ... apart from the rather obvious: Ninja; count on one of the men in black to act really, really weird - often times in public.

Pennsylvania -- A 28-year-old man has reportedly been charged with endangering the welfare of a child after leaving his young son at home alone while he was out "practicing being a ninja," according to examiner.com.

The ninja-clad Scottdale resident was allegedly observed by a police officer while wandering the streets in the cold weather (23 degrees Fahrenheit; -5 degrees Celsius) on March 3. When approached he apparently explained that he was "acting out his fantasy of becoming a ninja martial artist".

Not surprisingly, he furthermore explained that it was hard to find people his age to act out his fantasy of being a ninja (well, duh...).

Our wanna-be ninja/nut case informed police that his 4-year-old son was being looked after by his mother while he was "playing ninja."

However, police found that the man's mother was in fact not watching the child. Rather, the air-head in black had left his young son at home alone at 1:30 a.m. while he was out wandering the streets dressed as a ninja warrior.

What can you say, apart from the usual wow...

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!

Karate Fall

North Carolina -- Police said an 8-year-old boy was seriously injured when he fell from a second-story window in Charlotte. The boy was reportedly practicing karate moves when the accident happened, according to wsoctv.com.

The boy was apparently practicing karate moves when he jumped on his bed and then fell from the window. He was taken to a medical center with potentially life-threatening injuries.

Oh dear...

Handy?

After practicing martial arts for about 17 years, 20-year-old Fan Congcong - which reportedly works as a lifeguard at a swim club - is able to handwalk for 60 metres within 30 seconds, according to whatsonxiamen.com.

The 20-year-old "handy man", who comes from the city Zhoukou in central China's Hunan Province, has practiced kung fu since the age of 3.

At the age of twelve, he was sent to the famed Shaolin Temple. After all this years' of practice, Fan is able to climb stairs and run quickly while standing on his hands.

Dies of Judo Injury

Japan -- A 12-year-old boy died in hospital on July 6 from a brain contusion which apparently was sustained during judo practice, according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

On June 27, the junior high school student from Kannami reportedly collapsed while taking part in practice at his judo club. Official said the boy is believed to have been struck in the head.

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.

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.

An Old Punk And Tai Chi

James Newell Osterberg, Jr. is probably better known as Iggy Pop. The 61-year-old rock icon - known from the legendary band 'The Stooges'.

Anyone who has been to an Iggy concert can attest to how the guy really has an amazing physique for his age. And as we all know he's definitely been around the block a couple of times as far as drug abuse and injuring himself during shows goes.

Newspostonline.com recently had a story about the veteran rocker. Iggy revealed that he was in great shape due to the fact that he did tai chi (which he practices regularly) ... as well as a "slamming girlfriend" :-)

Iggy Pop and tai chi ... I'll be darned.

John Was Hoooked

New York -- "It was instantaneous and amazing," John Belcastro's mother said in response to how her son was hooked on karate the moment he was introduced to the art.

The 7-year-old Long Island boy suffers from autism and he has been doing karate - one-on-one lessons at Calla Karate in West Brighton for 14 months.

A Willowbrook psychologist who has referred several patients to Calla, said the practice has become more common. It (martial arts) has been informally used with children with autism and ADHD for the last few decades.

She Got Her Man

Florida -- When a 53-year-old Lighthouse Point woman returned home from tennis practice on Friday morning, she found an intruder in her bedroom, sun-sentinel.com reports.

Police said the man bolted with one of her backpacks, filled with her property. The resident - a marathon runner with a black belt in karate who reportedly also knows kickboxing and kung fu - wanted it back. So she followed the startled man.

The angry and determined woman pulled the man down from a fence and followed him easily when he attempted to run away. Go ahead and run," she allegedly shouted, "I've been running for 40 years; you're not getting away from me!"

DNA Will Clear Me

Illinois -- Suntimes.com reports about a 45-year-old man who was convicted of stabbing two teenagers to death on January 18, 1977.

Then 14 years old, the boy was arrested at school. After being interrogated for a day and a half, he allegedly confessed to the crime but later recanted the confession. The case prosecutors claimed the teenager lost his temper while practicing karate with one of the victims.

He was paroled and got out of prison over a year ago, according to reports. He now asks for a DNA testing. "(...) then once and for all people will know the truth," the man says.

Founder Devastated

Washington -- According to a police affidavit, a now 44-year-old karate teacher started out by touching a student while they were practicing and stretching in 2002, according to yakima-herald.com. The girl was 13 at the time.

The instructor has now been charged with raping the underage student at the Yakima karate school, and the founder says he's "devastated" by the allegations.

They young girl and the teacher began having sex four or five times a week in the office or back garden area, the affidavit stated.

According to the affidavit, the girl stopped going to karate practice when she "realized what they were doing was wrong," just before she turned 16.

A Black Belt for Paul

UK -- Despite suffering from autistic spectrum disorder, epilepsy and learning difficulties, 28-year-old Paul Stumbles was recently awarded black belt in karate, according to worthingherald.co.uk

The Hampden Park man, who is is a member of Canton Martial Arts in Eastbourne, has been practising karate four times a week for more than four years.

Forced to Run

Japan -- The father of a 16-year-old high school student in Kumamoto is seeking criminal charges against a teacher and two officials at the school after his son fell unconscious the day after being forced to run wind sprints as a part of karate practice despite having suffered a concussion shortly beforehand.

The boy, who is a freshman at the private Kaishin High School, has since been hospitalized because of serious after effects from an acute subdural hematoma.

Read this and other martial arts related stories at Your Martial Arts Resources

Severed Thumb Mystery

Mystery? The guy either was a total dork practicing with a live blade, or it was somebody else doing the slice (aka an assault or a fight). Not exactly Agatha Christie stuff in my book...

Story:
Australia -- Police are investigating how a man's thumb was severed with a sword in Sydney's inner-west.

The 28-year-old was taken to hospital for emergency re-attachment surgery.

Police say they have set up a crime scene outside a pub where the man was found, and also at a nearby apartment complex where it is believed the incident occurred.

Police have been told that the man had been practicing martial arts when his thumb was sliced off.

Source

Human Weapon

Well, I'll be darned - this sounds interesting!

From the History Channel:
"This summer The History Channel® embarks on a remarkable journey across the globe to reveal the history behind one of humankind’s most ancient skills: the art of hand-to-hand combat.

Viewers will join hosts Jason Chambers – mixed-martial-artist and professional fighter – and Bill Duff – former professional football player and wrestler – as they embark on a mission: to explore the history and practice of these time-honored combat arts.

Together, Jason and Bill fold back the rich historical and cultural layers of Muay Thai, Eskrima, Judo, Karate, Savate and more in the ultimate search of Human Weapon.

The series starts (reportedly) on Friday, July 20.

True Martial Arts

Don't you find it very limiting to discuss "true martial art" like this: If it doesn't involve free fighting; if it doesn't involve meditation; if it involves competition; etc, etc. - then it is not "real or true martial art"?

Why can't we have an openness - including any interpretation of what is "real" or "true"? Why limit ourselves?
Oh well ... rant-mode off. Apart from the claim: "Meditation is the foundation of any true martial art", this is a great, inspirational piece. Well worth reading.

Story:
Sifu Brown meditates daily and encourages his students to do the same. While the physical techniques they practice can help them grown strong and physically healthy, Brown insists mediation is the key to a strong mind, which is just as necessary for overcoming obstacles.

Brown is no stranger to adversity. Born with cerebral palsy and severe dyslexia, Brown grew into a highly respected member of the international martial arts community and runs one of the most successful dojos in the United States.

When he was living in Waterford Township at age 8, Brown's cerebral palsy made it impossible for him just to walk without the use of braces. Most of the time, he had to use a wheelchair.

After much searching, Brown found an isshinryu karate school that would allow him to stay in the back of the room and practice basic punches with his limited mobility. The exercises helped build upper body strength. Eventually, he was able to hold himself up long enough to start moving his legs and practice kicking.

Source