California -- When a group of armed men entered a house through an unlocked door and robbed a Rolando (San Diego) family at 2:20 a.m., a teenaged daughter fought the suspects, giving her father a chance to escape and call police.
At least three suspects entered the house, demanding money and jewelery. They tied the father's hands up and ordered him to lie down on the ground.
One of the men went to the 18-year-old daughter's room to search for more valuables. However, the daughter, who is a black belt in taekwondo, started fighting with the suspects.
While his daughter was fighting back, the father managed to break free and ran outside. He used a neighbors phone to call 911. None of the victims required any serious medical attention, according to nbcsandiego.com.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Pub Employee Fights Back
21-year-old martial arts expert...? Yeah, right.
UK -- October 24, lep.co.uk had a news article about 21-year-old Richard Sedgewick, described as a "martial arts expert" who tackled a hammer-wielding thug and stopped him raiding a pub. Great going, I'm sure. But a martial arts expert...?
The Preston physiotherapist was reportedly working at his second job in a Royton pub, when three armed raiders burst in.
During the 11:20 p.m. Sunday raid, customers and staff were threatened with a machete, hammer and golf club.
Richard (who practices taekwondo) was, with the help of a second staff member, able to overpower one of the robbers, take him to the floor and disarm him.
UK -- October 24, lep.co.uk had a news article about 21-year-old Richard Sedgewick, described as a "martial arts expert" who tackled a hammer-wielding thug and stopped him raiding a pub. Great going, I'm sure. But a martial arts expert...?
The Preston physiotherapist was reportedly working at his second job in a Royton pub, when three armed raiders burst in.
During the 11:20 p.m. Sunday raid, customers and staff were threatened with a machete, hammer and golf club.
Richard (who practices taekwondo) was, with the help of a second staff member, able to overpower one of the robbers, take him to the floor and disarm him.
Jessica Really is Incredible
Holy cow, what an amazing young woman this is; do read this story!
Arizona -- According to ktar.com, despite being born without arms, 25-year-old Jessica Cox from Tucson has only stopped herself from doing one thing only - and that is to use the word "can't."
She's a black belt in taekwondo and she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona.
Now, this determined woman has done something almost unbelievable in becoming the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet. She uses one foot on the controls and the other guiding the steering column.
Her Sport Pilot certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet.
Arizona -- According to ktar.com, despite being born without arms, 25-year-old Jessica Cox from Tucson has only stopped herself from doing one thing only - and that is to use the word "can't."
She's a black belt in taekwondo and she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona.
Now, this determined woman has done something almost unbelievable in becoming the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet. She uses one foot on the controls and the other guiding the steering column.
Her Sport Pilot certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet.
Court in Favor of Hijab Ban
France -- As you may recall, two French Muslim girls (aged 11 and 12) were expelled from school in 1999 following their refusal to take off their hijab during sport classes. At the time, the school said that hijab was deemed not compatible with physical education classes.
Recently, the top European human rights court in Strasbourg ruled in favor of the school, saying the ban was not a violation of the European Human Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights said: "The court observed that the purpose of the restriction on the applicants' right to manifest their religious convictions was to adhere to the requirements of secularism in state schools," according to Reuters and islamonline.net.
There have been several reported cases involving the use of hihab within the martial arts also.
For instance, on November 14, payvand.com reported how a female Iranian karateka, Helen Sepahi, was dismissed from the World Karate championships in Japan when she refused to take off her hijab prior to a fight.
And in November 2007, A judo official in Manitoba, Canada refused to allow an 11-year-old girl to compete in a tournament wearing a hijab. We covered that story in this post.
Recently, the top European human rights court in Strasbourg ruled in favor of the school, saying the ban was not a violation of the European Human Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights said: "The court observed that the purpose of the restriction on the applicants' right to manifest their religious convictions was to adhere to the requirements of secularism in state schools," according to Reuters and islamonline.net.
There have been several reported cases involving the use of hihab within the martial arts also.
For instance, on November 14, payvand.com reported how a female Iranian karateka, Helen Sepahi, was dismissed from the World Karate championships in Japan when she refused to take off her hijab prior to a fight.
And in November 2007, A judo official in Manitoba, Canada refused to allow an 11-year-old girl to compete in a tournament wearing a hijab. We covered that story in this post.
Honorary Black Belt?
In this article from moultrieobserver.com columnist Dwain Walden has a good point or two about flaunting your honorary black belt in karate.
He writes: "On a quiz program the other night, a contestant told the host that he held an honorary black belt in karate. My immediate conclusion was, I would rather have a real tire tool than an honorary black belt in karate."
My thought is exactly the same - why would anyone mention a good-for-nothing black belt like this? Sure it could be something to joke about amongst friends - but apart from that...
Me, I would rather be a certified idiot (which many will swear I am already) than an honorary anything, any day.
He writes: "On a quiz program the other night, a contestant told the host that he held an honorary black belt in karate. My immediate conclusion was, I would rather have a real tire tool than an honorary black belt in karate."
My thought is exactly the same - why would anyone mention a good-for-nothing black belt like this? Sure it could be something to joke about amongst friends - but apart from that...
Me, I would rather be a certified idiot (which many will swear I am already) than an honorary anything, any day.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Accused of Sex With Student
Florida -- A 26-year-old female karate instructor has been arrested for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student. Police investigators said the woman was in love with the teenager, according to wftv.com.
The instructor is reported to live with her parents in east Orange County. She is alleged to have driven to Apopka to hook up with the young student.
Police said the inappropriate relationship developed over sparring at the martial arts school in Apopka. The female instructor apparently took a liking to the juvenile student. Reportedly, she later confessed that she knew the relationship was being inappropriate.
The instructor is reported to live with her parents in east Orange County. She is alleged to have driven to Apopka to hook up with the young student.
Police said the inappropriate relationship developed over sparring at the martial arts school in Apopka. The female instructor apparently took a liking to the juvenile student. Reportedly, she later confessed that she knew the relationship was being inappropriate.
Curbing Juvenile Violence
Canada -- October 23, dailygleaner.canadaeast.com had a very interesting article about youths at risk for violence and how learning martial arts can prove to be helpful in curbing inappropriate behavior, resistance to rules and aggression.
The article was seemingly an answer to -- or rather an alternative to -- an announcement by the leader of the Conservative Party, who reportedly said how he was going to get tough on juvenile crime.
The article pointed to how several psychiatrists had written about a study in the journal 'Adolescence'. The psychiatrists had attempt to reproduce other (smaller) studies - pointing to how school-linked courses in traditional martial arts could benefit juveniles at high risk for violence and delinquency.
Previous research often shows mixed results. This is because participation in the studies is voluntary, or the participant is already in a martial arts program. The researcher say that both factors self-select for more aggressive youth, with the result that some studies even show an increase in violence for students who take martial arts.
However, in the study done by the psychiatrists, school teachers identified students at high risk for violence and delinquency. As the school was located in a poor area of a large urban city, with a very high juvenile arrest rate, there was no lack of such students.
Students who were identified as high risk could only take the course if their parents agreed, and an outside martial arts teacher was brought in to teach them.
60 students with similar problematic behavior profiles were paired and then assigned randomly to either a treatment group or to a wait-list control group, to make the study scientific.
The students took three classes per week, for ten weeks, of a traditional martial art . The art emphasized self-protection and calmness, using meditation and kata (patterned movements).
In this really great article, the author points to the significant positive findings of the study. He also has some great insight as to why this is so. A must read!
The article was seemingly an answer to -- or rather an alternative to -- an announcement by the leader of the Conservative Party, who reportedly said how he was going to get tough on juvenile crime.
The article pointed to how several psychiatrists had written about a study in the journal 'Adolescence'. The psychiatrists had attempt to reproduce other (smaller) studies - pointing to how school-linked courses in traditional martial arts could benefit juveniles at high risk for violence and delinquency.
Previous research often shows mixed results. This is because participation in the studies is voluntary, or the participant is already in a martial arts program. The researcher say that both factors self-select for more aggressive youth, with the result that some studies even show an increase in violence for students who take martial arts.
However, in the study done by the psychiatrists, school teachers identified students at high risk for violence and delinquency. As the school was located in a poor area of a large urban city, with a very high juvenile arrest rate, there was no lack of such students.
Students who were identified as high risk could only take the course if their parents agreed, and an outside martial arts teacher was brought in to teach them.
60 students with similar problematic behavior profiles were paired and then assigned randomly to either a treatment group or to a wait-list control group, to make the study scientific.
The students took three classes per week, for ten weeks, of a traditional martial art . The art emphasized self-protection and calmness, using meditation and kata (patterned movements).
In this really great article, the author points to the significant positive findings of the study. He also has some great insight as to why this is so. A must read!
Wudang Kungfu
China -- Watching Zhao Jianying teaching young and old alike at the park, it's quite common to think she looks great for a woman in her 60s. However, the martial arts master -- acclaimed as a "living fossil of Wudang martial arts" -- is 84 years old, according to chinadaily.com.cn.
As she demonstrates Taiyi (taiji) Wuxing Quan, a form of Wudang kungfu, the moves are graceful - slow and relaxed. But she also uses lightning fast hits in mock fights against even young men.
She's been practicing Wudang kungfu for over half a century, and says this is the reason she's still strong and agile at her advanced years.
In 2007, She was named a "Key Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage" by the State General Sports Administration and the Ministry of Culture in China.
This is an interesting article about someone who has clearly lived an eventful, long and healthy life!
As she demonstrates Taiyi (taiji) Wuxing Quan, a form of Wudang kungfu, the moves are graceful - slow and relaxed. But she also uses lightning fast hits in mock fights against even young men.
She's been practicing Wudang kungfu for over half a century, and says this is the reason she's still strong and agile at her advanced years.
In 2007, She was named a "Key Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage" by the State General Sports Administration and the Ministry of Culture in China.
This is an interesting article about someone who has clearly lived an eventful, long and healthy life!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Judo Assault Case
Australia -- Judo Olympic competitor Matt Celotti is facing charge over a pub assault, news.com.au reported on August 15.
The 29-year-old fighter, who was eliminated from the games after losing his opening bout against a Cuban opponent, faces an outstanding assault charge in Melbourne, police confirmed.
The charges is reported to stem from an incident at a hotel in November 2007, the news article said.
The 29-year-old fighter, who was eliminated from the games after losing his opening bout against a Cuban opponent, faces an outstanding assault charge in Melbourne, police confirmed.
The charges is reported to stem from an incident at a hotel in November 2007, the news article said.
Police Laud Martial Artist
From Pennsylvania, altoonamirror.com had a nice feature story back in mid August about 45-year-old martial arts expert and bodyguard Brian Gates who stopped two copper thieves, aged 24 and 27, dead in their tracks on April 10, 2008.
Mr Gates, who operates a martial arts studio in Patton, has also gained attention as a bodyguard for the Knievel stunt family and film and country music stars.
Mr Gates, who operates a martial arts studio in Patton, has also gained attention as a bodyguard for the Knievel stunt family and film and country music stars.
Las Vegas TKD Arrest
Nevada -- The 41-year-old owner of a Las Vegas taekwondo school was been arrested in September 2008, fox5vegas.com reports.
The man is accused of sexual assaulting a 13-year-old girl in June 2007, according to police. The girl is said to be a relative from New Mexico.
The girl and her father were visiting Las Vegas when the incidents occurred. Police documents said the assault took place at the taekwondo studio, while the girl's father was working.
The girl told police that, after coming out of the shower, the relative exposed himself from the waist down. She told police he then asked her if she had ever kissed a boy on his privates.
The girl told investigators that the man had forced her to do so several times, and that he afterwards made her "pinky promise" not to tell anyone. He allegedly also bought her ice cream and gave her $7, according to the report.
The man is accused of sexual assaulting a 13-year-old girl in June 2007, according to police. The girl is said to be a relative from New Mexico.
The girl and her father were visiting Las Vegas when the incidents occurred. Police documents said the assault took place at the taekwondo studio, while the girl's father was working.
The girl told police that, after coming out of the shower, the relative exposed himself from the waist down. She told police he then asked her if she had ever kissed a boy on his privates.
The girl told investigators that the man had forced her to do so several times, and that he afterwards made her "pinky promise" not to tell anyone. He allegedly also bought her ice cream and gave her $7, according to the report.
Karate Instructor in Sex Case
Update (January 2009): The 32-year-old former high school math teacher and a private karate instructor is bound for state prison after he pleaded guilty to repeatedly molesting one of his martial arts students - a 15-year-old girl.
----
Pennsylvania -- In September, a 32-year-old karate instructor and high school teacher from Cumberland County was charged with having sex with one of his female students, according to wgal.com.
The Mechanicsburg karate school in owner was charged with having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old karate student. The girl told police she had performed sex acts with the man several times at the karate school earlier in 2008.
----
Pennsylvania -- In September, a 32-year-old karate instructor and high school teacher from Cumberland County was charged with having sex with one of his female students, according to wgal.com.
The Mechanicsburg karate school in owner was charged with having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old karate student. The girl told police she had performed sex acts with the man several times at the karate school earlier in 2008.
Kicking Autistic Boy
Texas -- A 20-year-old man from Troup, has reportedly trained martial arts since the age of 6. He recently told a court how he has "a very short temper" and an "anger problem".
This young man has been found guilty of using kick boxing to "discipline" a young autistic boy - with the approval of the boy's mother, according to tylerpaper.com.
The boy's mother, 34, allegedly did nothing to stop her boyfriend from repeatedly kicking her then 11-year-old son as a neighbor videotaped the abuse.
The woman admitted at her trial that she caused bodily injury to her son by striking him and by failing to protect him during the incident on April 24.
Oh dear...
This young man has been found guilty of using kick boxing to "discipline" a young autistic boy - with the approval of the boy's mother, according to tylerpaper.com.
The boy's mother, 34, allegedly did nothing to stop her boyfriend from repeatedly kicking her then 11-year-old son as a neighbor videotaped the abuse.
The woman admitted at her trial that she caused bodily injury to her son by striking him and by failing to protect him during the incident on April 24.
Oh dear...
A True Judo Expert
By now, I'm sure you are aware of how I feel about the term "martial arts expert" being handed to everyone and everything earning a black belt. If not, do feel free to use the word 'nonsense' (or some similar, perhaps even stronger, words).
A 12-year-old taekwondo or karate "expert" with a few years of training? Yeah, right... So, just in case you wonder, this is what I consider an expert.
78-year-old Pat Toner from New Zealand has recently been awarded the very high grade of seventh dan in judo after 60 years of learning the art.
Mr Toner -- a former British Royal Marine -- began training when he was 18 and he still works out every day, either at the gym or the Wellington Judo Academy. The enduring competitor says the secret to his success and longevity was his discipline.
Congratulations, Mr Toner; well deserved!
A 12-year-old taekwondo or karate "expert" with a few years of training? Yeah, right... So, just in case you wonder, this is what I consider an expert.
78-year-old Pat Toner from New Zealand has recently been awarded the very high grade of seventh dan in judo after 60 years of learning the art.
Mr Toner -- a former British Royal Marine -- began training when he was 18 and he still works out every day, either at the gym or the Wellington Judo Academy. The enduring competitor says the secret to his success and longevity was his discipline.
Congratulations, Mr Toner; well deserved!
A New Lease on Life
Florida -- Two-time cancer survivor, 62-year-old Shary Pittman was met with skepticism when she took up martial arts a while ago in High Springs. In fact, her 7-year-old grandson told her outright "(...) you're too old and you're too fat to do martial arts."
Mrs Pittman turned a deaf ear, and she intends, in her own words, to go "all the way" - meaning: She is already set for a black belt.
Reading about this survivor and ready born fighter, I don't doubt her for even half a second. She will make it!
"I won't quit for anything. You look in the mirror and you're old, and you're embarrassed because you're overweight. Then you punch the lady in the mirror and say, 'Keep going! You don't have to lay down and die; get up and FIGHT!" she said.
The inspirational woman has credited her martial arts classes with giving her strength, saying she's gotten more limber and healthier.
"It will work you through the pain, and you'll work through it with a smile," she said. "By the second class, my energy level tripled," she said. "You'd be amazed even for an older person at how fast your body responds."
Read the whole story at highspringsherald.com.
Mrs Pittman turned a deaf ear, and she intends, in her own words, to go "all the way" - meaning: She is already set for a black belt.
Reading about this survivor and ready born fighter, I don't doubt her for even half a second. She will make it!
"I won't quit for anything. You look in the mirror and you're old, and you're embarrassed because you're overweight. Then you punch the lady in the mirror and say, 'Keep going! You don't have to lay down and die; get up and FIGHT!" she said.
The inspirational woman has credited her martial arts classes with giving her strength, saying she's gotten more limber and healthier.
"It will work you through the pain, and you'll work through it with a smile," she said. "By the second class, my energy level tripled," she said. "You'd be amazed even for an older person at how fast your body responds."
Read the whole story at highspringsherald.com.
A Royal Insult
Morocco -- An 18-year-old karate champion -- and obvious FC Barcelona soccer fan -- has received a one year suspended prison sentence for writing "God, Homeland and Barca" on a classroom chalkboard, according to iht.com.
The motto of Morocco is "God, Homeland and the King", and authorities ruled that the scribbling showed "disrespect to the kingdom's national motto". The youngster now fears that the sentence could seriously affect his professional future as well as his sports career.
Oh dear, another serious crime has been committed...
The motto of Morocco is "God, Homeland and the King", and authorities ruled that the scribbling showed "disrespect to the kingdom's national motto". The youngster now fears that the sentence could seriously affect his professional future as well as his sports career.
Oh dear, another serious crime has been committed...
MMA Veteran Speaks Out
Japan -- MMA veteran Enson Inoue, known from Shooto, pride and UFC, recently spoke to mmajunkie.com following his release from jail.
41-year-old Inoue, described as "a hard-fighting, hard-living warrior who refused to submit to anyone -- or anything", reportedly served 26 days in jail following an October arrest in Tokyo on marijuana possession charges.
41-year-old Inoue, described as "a hard-fighting, hard-living warrior who refused to submit to anyone -- or anything", reportedly served 26 days in jail following an October arrest in Tokyo on marijuana possession charges.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
UFC Fighter on Steroids
Chris Leben - the (American) UFC fighter with a well known background as a participant on the 'Ultimate Fighter' TV show - reportedly tested positive for anabolic steroid (Stanozolol) use after losing his fight at UFC 89 in the UK, according to mma.fanhouse.com.
It's being said that Leben is one of the highest-profile MMA fighters to test positive for these performance-enhancing drugs.
The steroid known as Stanozolol is the same substance that was used by former Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson from Canada and (former) baseball player Rafael Palmeiro. Also Tim Sylvia, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has been found testing positive to the steroid.
It's being said that Leben is one of the highest-profile MMA fighters to test positive for these performance-enhancing drugs.
The steroid known as Stanozolol is the same substance that was used by former Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson from Canada and (former) baseball player Rafael Palmeiro. Also Tim Sylvia, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has been found testing positive to the steroid.
The Diddly Deadly Limbs
Ahh... the deadly hands of Muay Thai; nothing more lethal ... except for a knife, gun, battle ship, bomb or cruiser missile? Nah, forget that, let's settle for the diddly deadly hands.
Oh, and let us not forget the judo chop, karate kick, jiu jitsu grip or ninja flip - those are totally deadly too, of course! Oh yes budoka - we are all registered lethal weapons for sure :-)
You see, philstar.com recently mentioned an incident between a security guard and a Muay Thai representative during a Filipino National Sports Association meeting.
The Muay Thai man was refused to enter the premises by the guard. The Muay Thai representative apparently took this personal. He delivered a punch to the guard's stomach "to express his sentiments".
"(He) is trained in the martial arts and his hands are considered deadly weapons," a source said. "I don’t think it was right for him to treat the guard this way because after all, he was just doing his duty."
Oh, and let us not forget the judo chop, karate kick, jiu jitsu grip or ninja flip - those are totally deadly too, of course! Oh yes budoka - we are all registered lethal weapons for sure :-)
You see, philstar.com recently mentioned an incident between a security guard and a Muay Thai representative during a Filipino National Sports Association meeting.
The Muay Thai man was refused to enter the premises by the guard. The Muay Thai representative apparently took this personal. He delivered a punch to the guard's stomach "to express his sentiments".
"(He) is trained in the martial arts and his hands are considered deadly weapons," a source said. "I don’t think it was right for him to treat the guard this way because after all, he was just doing his duty."
Kung-Fu vs Intruder
Barbados -- When a machete-wielding intruder entered a holiday apartment, armed with a machete, 13-year-old Redmond Lee helped protecting his family by putting his kung-fu training to good use, according to kentnews.co.uk.
The Maidstone, UK family, had only spent their first morning at the St Lawrence Gap hotel, in Barbados, when the masked man burst in on April 9 this year. Millina, the 11-year-old daughter was sitting on the luxury apartment balcony when the armed intruder climbed over a wall and onto the balcony.
The girl ran screaming into the apartment with the man at her heels. Her mum, making coffee, screamed and threw a cup at him, but the intruder continued. When the man attacked 13-year-old Redmond the boy managed to grab him and somehow put him in an arm lock.
His dad, in the bathroom at that point, heard the commotion and ran out to find the culprit holding the bladed weapon above his son's head. The angered and frightened father ran at him and wrestled him to the ground. He was able to throw him back out on to the balcony. The man then ran off.
The Maidstone, UK family, had only spent their first morning at the St Lawrence Gap hotel, in Barbados, when the masked man burst in on April 9 this year. Millina, the 11-year-old daughter was sitting on the luxury apartment balcony when the armed intruder climbed over a wall and onto the balcony.
The girl ran screaming into the apartment with the man at her heels. Her mum, making coffee, screamed and threw a cup at him, but the intruder continued. When the man attacked 13-year-old Redmond the boy managed to grab him and somehow put him in an arm lock.
His dad, in the bathroom at that point, heard the commotion and ran out to find the culprit holding the bladed weapon above his son's head. The angered and frightened father ran at him and wrestled him to the ground. He was able to throw him back out on to the balcony. The man then ran off.
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