Saturday, December 29, 2007

Bangalore IT/BPO Companies

India -- According to dnaindia.com, following recent incidents that have questioned the safety of women, Bangalore IT/BPO companies in have decided to train their employees in martial arts.

Several large companies are now part of the martial arts bandwagon that was initiated five years ago.

"When up against tough situations, the training gets out of a potential trap," an engineer said. "I'm now better placed to handle problems," says a software professional who is into kickboxing.

A HP spokesperson says, "After the Pratibha Murthy murder, we introduced 'Give it to them' where employees are trained to fight attackers."

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Throat Cutting Gesture

UK -- A 52-year-old karate instructor has been locked up for allegedly threatening to slit the throat of the dad of his victim shortly before he was due to appear in court, according to hartlepoolmail.co.uk.

The man was captured on tape allegedly making the throat cutting gesture with his hand in a hallway at a Crown Court.

The karate black belt was due to be sentenced after watching the youngster (who was aged under 13) as she undressed and showered. However, the hearing was adjourned after the victim's family made the claim about being threatened.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Karate Nurse

UK -- Theargus.co.uk has a truly weird story about a 63-year-old nurse, who worked at Moorgreen Hospital in Southampton. The man failed to turn up for work for two days and then lied to bosses that he had been kidnapped by robbers.

According to reports, he admitted that this had been a lie during subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

The hearing was also told how the nurse performed karate chops in front of shocked colleagues at an aggression management class.

Throughout the course he allegedly demonstrated a series of potentially lethal blows and kicks to students who were supposed to be learning defensive restraints.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Nanchucks

Nanchucks? They are obviously talking about the deadly lamb chops... Some folks also call them numb nuts (wonder why...).

Story:
Australia -- Police in Perth say a 38-year-old man attempted to board a bus while under the influence of alcohol, according to abc.net.au.

The bus driver refused to allow the man onto the bus and it is alleged he attempted to hit the driver with nanchucks.

Police say a 60-year-old woman was injured during the incident and required treatment in hospital.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

A Warriors Strength

I urge you to read this story from greenbaypressgazette.com! Not exactly about martial art as such. However it speaks volumes about a young man's warrior spirit - something that we like to boast about within our arts.
Cadet Thomas Avolio - I salute you.

Story:
Cadets at the Air Force Academy are taught that a warrior's strength can sometimes be measured in his ability to get up and fight again.

In April 2006, cadet Thomas Avolio fell 200 feet while climbing Eagle Peak in southwestern Colorado. He suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull, a broken left ankle, a broken wrist and damage to the optic nerve in his left eye.

He was in a coma at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs for 3 1/2 weeks."The doctors weren't exactly enthusiastic about his chances. He had a very small chance of living, let alone executing a full recovery," the commander of Avolio's squadron at the academy said.

Next month, Avolio, 22, of Des Moines, Washington, will return to the academy. He plans to graduate with the class of 2009 with a degree in political science.

Q Train Hero

New York -- Q train peacemaker Hassan Askari has a brown belt in karate and probably could have taken out a couple of the thugs harassing Chanukah revelers if he struck the first blow.

But that isn't his style.

"I didn't fight them because you're not supposed to unless it's self-defense," the slightly built college student and waiter said, according to nydailynews.com.

Instead, the 20-year-old man tried to push the admitted hate criminal and his band of bullies away from the two couples being menaced by the group.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Teacher Sued

Canada -- A man who sued his martial arts teacher after his knee was injured while the teacher was demonstrating a move has been awarded damages of more than $155,000, according to canadianpress.google.com.

Court was told that the Campbell River man suffered a ligament tear and damage to the cartilage of his right knee as a result of pressure applied by the teacher on January 23, 2003.

Martial Arts Type Poses

What the ...? I guess the victim here was supposed to be really scared by this brave dude "performing martial arts-type poses".

Oh yes Sir - air-fighting ... Just as impressive as air-guitar. "Look at that guy go - he's awesome! What a player!"

Best part though is this: The victim suddenly realized he knew the "poser" :-)

Story:
Ohio -- A 45-year-old man told deputies he was awakened by a knock on the door in the early hours of the morning, according to timesreporter.com. When he opened the door, he was attacked by a masked man. After a struggle, the victim was able to get the door shut, but it was kicked in, and the attacker and a second masked man entered the residence.

The victim was forced to the floor, and the intruders demanded money and drugs. The victim gave them $100.

While he was being held on the floor, one of the intruders held a .22 caliber rifle on him while the second intruder performed martial arts-type poses. The victim said he realized he knew the man doing the poses.

The man was taken from his residence at gunpoint by two men early Sunday then driven to Carrollton where he was able to escape from his captors, according to a Sheriff's spokesman.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Chi Running

Um... I do wonder. Maybe this stuff is healthy because they're running really, really slow (in some circles also known as walking :-)

Story
North Carolina -- Doctors estimate that 70 percent of all runners will suffer a range of injuries that could sideline their training, nbc17.com reports. But local runners say an approach to running that incorporates the mind/body energy of Tai Chi is helping them avoid injuries.

What is called 'Chi Running' sets out to modify the way we run and calls on some of the basic concepts in Tai Chi.

Key elements include:
- Good posture, with emphasis on tightening the core, or abdominal muscles - Leaning forward, not standing upright while running - Picking up the feet while running, instead of pushing off the ground - Relaxing arms and legs.

Two People Slashed

Canada -- In Milton, police have arrested a woman after two people were slashed with a samurai sword, according to thestar.com.

Police said the victim allegedly was having an argument with his girlfriend when she grabbed a sword that was on display in the apartment and struck him on the shoulder, arm and head.

When the victim's brother heard the commotion, police say he told the woman to leave. That's when she reportedly headed across the street to the gas station and began smashing windows.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Ninja Hunt

New York -- The Staten Island "ninja burglar", who is now thought to have robbed eighteen homes on the island in the past seven months, acquired his honorific in September, when he encountered a Dongan Hills resident named Phil Chiolo while raiding Chiolo's home.

He was dressed all in black, with a black face mask, Chiolo said, and he carried nun-chucks, which he used to club Chiolo in the chest, head, and shins before Chiolo was able to retaliate by stabbing at him with a steak knife.

Chiolo, who suffered a welt near his collarbone, said the other day that he is fine, but Staten Island has since gone ninja mad, with the burglar enjoying a kind of romantic outlaw notoriety. Other victims have likened him to a gazelle or a cat ("very athletic, very quiet, and very fast"), capable of scaling walls and leaping noiselessly out windows. (No one has heard him speak.)

A Gracie Found Dead

Sao Paulo newspaper O Globo recently reported that 33-year-old MMA fighter Ryan Gracie was arrested for stealing a car, after mugging and hitting a 76-year-old man. According to the news article, Gracie soon after crashed the vehicle into a parking barrier.

Following his arrest, Gracie was taken to be tested for drugs and returned to prison about 3 a.m. He was left alone in his own cell, and at 7 a.m. the following morning he was found dead during a routine check.

It is not the first time Ryan Gracie has had trouble with the authorities, according to O Globo. Gracie was allegedly arrested in September 2006 for aggravated assault, making threats, and resisting arrest.

Monday, December 17, 2007

A Self-Taught Fan

I Wonder how often I've heard this phrase: "(...) he would have incapacitated the victim if he had to." :-)

Story:
UK -- A court was told that a 39-year-old self-taught kung fu fan who attacked a police officer with moves learned on the Internet blamed the TV programme Panorama, according to burnleycitizen.co.uk.

The man allegedly claimed he thought the officer was not allowed to stop and search him and was assaulting him.

The man, a "law-abiding" loner who has been learning karate from the Internet, then attacked the officer, putting his martial arts kicks into practice.

When later interviewed, he said he would have incapacitated the victim if he had to. But it was he who was incapacitated by the officer, and a member of public dashed to the officer's aid.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Stabbed to Death

"A Black belt in martial arts"....?

Story:
A Foster Township man will face a charge of criminal homicide for allegedly stabbing his live-in girlfriend to death in October, a Pennsylvania judge have ruled.

The 31-year-old woman displayed a knife first while the two were fighting and he was wounded during the incident, according to the man. He said he soon lost control, stabbed her repeatedly and then called 911.

Though the man has said the stabbing occurred in self defense, prosecutors don't buy it. The man has a black belt in martial arts and admitted the woman wasn't holding the knife in a threatening way.

No Charges

Florida -- Prosecutors have declined to file charges against a nationally renowned MMA fighter who was arrested in October after investigators alleged he organized "illegal cage fighting" matches in St. Lucie West, according to palmbeachpost.com.

31-year-old Din Thomas - who made a name for himself while competing in the UFC - was arrested on October 31. Police at the time said he organized and promoted an unsanctioned and unlicensed match on October 19 that drew more than 150 spectators.

He was accused of violating a Florida statute that governs "prohibited competitions," a third-degree felony that could have carried a maximum five-year sentence. However, the Assistant State Attorney filed paperwork Friday dismissing the charge on which Thomas was arrested.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Sword Killer

Maryland -- Police said a man tried to kill himself Saturday after killing his wife with a sword, according to nbc4.com.

The incident reportedly happened at about 2:30 p.m. at a martial arts studio in Clinton.

Police said a man attempted to hang himself after killing his wife with a sword, but he survived. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Jailed for 14 Years

UK -- After being found guilty of raping one of his students, a 43-year-old karate instructor from Worthing has been jailed for 14 years, sussexexpress.co.uk reports.

The man was found guilty of rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, assault causing actual bodily harm and other offenses against the girl between March, 2004, when the girl was 13, and April, 2006.

In addition, the jury also found the instructor guilty of two counts of intimidating a witness.

During the four-week trial, the court had heard how the man boasted of his sexual relationship with the young girl and was described by some as "an aggressive and highly manipulative man".

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Another Sword Killing

Australia -- Four people have been charged over the gruesome murder of a man whose dismembered torso was discovered by the side of a road in northern Victoria, according to news.com.au.

The body of the 26-year-old Shepparton man was found at 6 p.m. Tuesday beside a road at Cosgrove, east of Shepparton.

Police believe he was killed with a samurai sword and they searched an irrigation channel and a tip for other body parts.

Dragged to Death

Washington -- According to witnesses, a martial arts enthusiast and MMA fighter who was dragged to death "just snapped and was completely out of control" before he was killed, spokesmanreview.com reports.

A sheriff's spokesman said witnesses reported 20-year-old Jerid S. Sturman-Camyn had been drinking heavily along with his father, when the two engaged in a playful fight that got out of hand at a hunting camp near Ione, Washington.

A Newman Lake resident allegedly placed a noose around Sturman-Camyn's neck and attached the other end of the 22-foot rope to the trailer hitch of a pickup after Sturman-Camyn threatened his son and others with an ax.

More martial arts related stories at Your Martial Arts Resources.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Just Returned Home

Here's a story from nzherald.co.nz.

New Zealand -- The man who allegedly attacked and bound an elderly woman before setting her house on fire was caught at a nearby property by a martial arts expert who had just returned home from karate.

Nearly two hours after the house was set alight, a man was caught at a house 500m away in another street.

The homeowner, who wanted to be known only as Brett, said the man turned up at his home asking for a taxi to be called about 7:45 p.m.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Teacher Kicking Student

Update (August 2008): "A karate teacher in Suffolk has been found not guilty of child abuse stemming from charges that she kicked students more than 200 times during a November, 2007 class." As reported by inrich.com.

----

Virginia -- Wtopnews.com reports about a 47-year-old female martial arts instructor who has been arrested for kicking an 11-year-old student more than 200 times, causing internal injuries and possibly breaking a rib.

A police spokesman said the teacher issued a challenge November 7 during class at a Suffolk dojo to see how many kicks to the abdomen students could take.

Students got into a push-up position while the instructor kicked, stopping when the student either said to or went to his or her knees.

Whispering Nin-Yobs

Florida -- Authorities are looking for a 'ninja' they say helped fellow 'ninjas' rob a man in his Port Orange driveway, according to wftv.com.

The victim told police three man dressed as ninjas held him down, covered his mouth and took his wallet, cell phone and cash.

The robbers were allegedly wearing gloves and had guns. The victim said everything was covered except their eyes, and the ninja robbers spoke in very low tones.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Peeping Karate Teacher

UK -- The mother of the victim of a Peeping Tom pervert today spoke of the trauma and agony suffered by her daughter and family. And she called on the courts to jail the karate pervert.

The mother of his schoolgirl victim said her daughter still suffers nightmares more than a year after the incident took place, according to hartlepoolmail.co.uk.

The 52-year-old karate instructor taught at clubs throughout the region, previously including Hartlepool.

Judo at 75

UK -- Despite turning 75, Teesside pensioner Colin Ward, who holds a black belt in judo, shows no signs of slowing down, according to gazettelive.co.uk.

After taking it up as a young Navy recruit stationed in Singapore, the Marton man has now been practising the martial art for 55 years.

He is using his experience to help train younger judo enthusiasts at a leisure centre judo club in Ingleby Barwick. The retired rigger, credits judo with keeping his body and mind in good shape.

MMA Fighter Dead

Texas -- A mixed martial arts fighter has died, about six weeks after he was knocked out in a sanctioned bout here, according to dallasnews.com.

35-year-old Sam Vasquez of Houston was injured October 20 and died Friday. The Harris County medical examiner's office said it could be several days before the official cause is determined.

Confuse-Us Speaks #19

Here are some "Fast Facts" from wildcat.arizona.edu :-)
I suppose some of these reporters could try and ease down on the medication.

"Karate was invented in India. It was not introduced to Japan until about 1917."

Could anyone please break this gently to the good folks in Okinawa...? I'm quite certain they are unaware of this major shift of historical events.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

He Beat Meningitis

UK -- A Workington boy who beat meningitis has now achieved his black belt in karate, according to timesandstar.co.uk.

13-year-old Sonny Smith, of Harrington, competed for the belt on Sunday and passed the test.

He was given a slim chance of survival after contracting meningitis when he was seven and it left him tired and weak.

Sonny started attending karate classes with his friends at the martial arts center and his confidence and strength grew.

She Saved the Day

UK -- Teenage brown belt Rebecca saved the day when her parents were attacked by a Taser-wielding junkie as they picked her up from a karate lesson dailymail.co.uk reported.

The 13-year-old put her martial arts skills to the test after a drug-crazed yob lunged at her 53-year-old mother with the weapon, as she waited in the car for her daughter.

The girl, who was still wearing her white suit, jumped onto the 29-year-old attacker, as he was trying to drag her mum from their car.

The prosecutor said: "Rebecca pulled the suspect away and shouted 'What do you think you are doing?'" She jumped onto his back, but in the scuffle he turned round and zapped her with the gun.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Compulsory School Subject

Japan -- yomiuri.co.jp says the government's plan to make martial arts a compulsory subject at middle schools has a small snag - not enough physical education teachers have the skills or experience to properly instruct students in these arts.

In a bid to improve the abilities of teachers in charge of martial arts at public middle and high schools, the government plans to set up "martial arts promotion associations" comprising experts in martial arts education in each prefecture from next academic year, according to sources.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Embezzlement

A 53-year-old Virginia Beach karate studio owner has been sentenced to jail for embezzling money from a charitable organization he helped build.

At his trial, prosecutors said the man pocketed money from the sale of bingo cards on at least two occasions in 2006.

In 2000, the school owner helped start the group, which teaches martial arts to underprivileged children and adults. The man volunteered to sell bingo cards and supplies. The proceeds were to pay member schools for training students.

Sealed With a Kick

A disabled Kuwaiti man has filed a complaint accusing his expatriate wife of having an extramarital affair with an unidentified person, according to arabtimesonline.com.

The man allegedly said he suspected the behavior of his wife and came home unannounced to find her with another man.

The husband told police he tried in vain to catch the lover but his wife who is a karate expert flattened him with a kick.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Nekkid Wresslin

Oregon -- A southeast Portland man said he wasn't dressed for a confrontation with a home intruder.

Craig Grover said he and his wife were sleeping Thursday night when they heard someone enter through their front door.

Grover said he went into the kitchen to investigate, and that he didn't take the time to get dressed.

"I was 100 percent nude. I approached him from behind and we fought in the kitchen. I didn't have clothes on whatsoever," said Grover.

Grover said the karate lessons he has taken helped him take down the intruder and hold him captive in the front yard until Portland police officers arrived.

Beating the Odds

New York -- You'd never know that Mark Cummings has just half a heart.

"I consider myself pretty healthy," Mark says. "I'm doing better than a lot of people without a heart problem."

23-year-old Cummings will achieve a longtime goal when he receives his second-degree black belt and the title of "sensei" at a ceremony in West Winfield at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cummings had multiple birth defects - including dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart is on the right side of the body that doctors felt would kill him by the time he was 3-months-old, and complications from three operations that led to another in which two steel rods were inserted into his back.

Read this and other inspirational stories at your-martial-arts-resources.com.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Had Op Can Chop

UK -- Barry Crozier may have had two hip replacements but is alive and kicking today, according to eveningstar.co.uk.

The 60-year-old only took up shotokan karate because his daughter did not want to start classes alone.

Now, 14-years later and with two new hips, The Ipswich resident has gained his second Dan black belt.

Monday, November 26, 2007

No Judo Hijab

Canada -- A Judo Manitoba official reduced an 11-year-old girl to tears Saturday when he refused to allow her to compete in a tournament wearing a hijab, or Muslim head scarf.

The Judo Manitoba president made the ruling. He said it was based on International Judo Federation guidelines.

"It has nothing to do with religion, it is a safety issue," the president said. "The hijab could be used to strangle somebody. It could fall over her face."

The Judo Manitoba ruling is the latest controversy in Canada over the wearing of hijabs by Muslim girls in sports.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

80 Charges

Ohio -- A 31-year-old Brunswick karate instructor has been indicted on 80 sex charges involving two children, newsnet5.com reports.

Prosecutors said the man had sex with two girls ages, 14 and 17, on numerous occasions between August 2006 and October 2007 while they attended a karate school owned by the man's wife.

She Never Stopped Fighting

On those rare occations when I might begin to believe that I'm tough, I quickly get down to earth by reading about those who really are.

Story from uticaod.com:
Newport's Dana Petrillo – a single mother, diagnosed with breast cancer and coping with the death of her mother – never stopped fighting.

"Some days I felt like I just wanted to give up," she said. "I was just exhausted some days, I'd say 'I can't do it.' But I had my kids and I would just tell myself I couldn't quit."

She didn't just fight back, she excelled.

Friday, November 23, 2007

A Celebration of Life

Indiana -- For Dr. Mitch Goldman of Carmel, earning his taekwondo black belt wasn't about ego, indystar.com reports.

The 43-year-old colon cancer survivor called training in the Korean martial art "a celebration of life."

"(Taekwondo) is a good balance of my family, fun and exercise," said Goldman, medical director of the Hilbert Pediatric Emergency Department at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. "It's something I enjoy and love -- along with my career and family. It's a perfect troika."

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Truck Attack

Two men, including a senior member of a group affiliated with a crime syndicate, have been arrested on suspicion of crashing an unmanned truck into a garage belonging to the Oshima sumo stable in Tokyo, in 2006.

The incident is believed to be related to komusubi-ranked sumo wrestler Kyokushuzan, a Mongolian whose real name is Davaa Batbayar, in connection with the exploitation rights for a gold mine in Mongolia.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

K-1 Road Rage

Japan -- A 34-year-old K-1 fighter faces charges for beating a truck driver after the heavy vehicle allegedly came too close to his bicycle, Tokyo police said according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

"I thought his truck was pulling over toward my bike. I beat him because he ignored me when I warned him," the fighter was quoted as telling investigators. "I deeply regret what I did."

Inappropriate

Florida -- A martial arts instructor in Orlando has been arrested on suspicion he inappropriately touching at least one of his young students.

The 20-year-old man was arrested after the pre-teenage girl told officers that she was molested while taking part in a class at the martial arts school.

The alleged incident happened more than a year ago, police said. However, the girl recently came forward with the allegation.

The girl told police that the man singled her out at a time when all of the students were watching a movie. She said he pulled her aside and began to rub her private parts, according to a report.

Strength and Joy

Another inspirational piece - this time from news.medill.northwestern.edu.

Story:
Illinois -- People with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke or lower-body paralysis can boost their body strength, coordination, balance, flexibility and self-esteem. Not by using a new miracle drug or surgery, but by learning karate.

Two organizations in Chicago, along with a few elsewhere, are using martial arts in a revolutionary way, as therapy for those with serious physical or mental challenges.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Accused of Rape

UK -- A court was told how a karate instructor raped a schoolgirl and threatened to hit her if she told anyone, according to theargus.co.uk.

The 42-year-old man reportedly made the threats to the 13-year-old if she refused his demands.

The instructor, who taught at schools and church halls across Worthing and Littlehampton, also forced the girl to give him oral sex in front of other children, it was alleged.

You will find this and other martial arts related stories at Your Martial Arts Resources

Monday, November 19, 2007

A Homicide Suspect

Officers who surrounded a homicide suspect as he sat in a car near a Porterville high school Thursday morning discovered he had shot himself.

Detectives believe the 29-year-old Porterville resident is responsible for the murder of a 23-year-old woman who was found dead at her apartment, a police spokesman said. Trauma to the woman's body indicated she may have been strangled, the spokesman said.

Police said they are investigating the relationship between the victim and the suspected killer, along with information that the man fought professionally in mixed martial arts at a local casino.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Silent Demo

And now: A silent (and slow moving?) demo - tai chi style.

Story:
Martial art enthusiasts are to stage a mass protest in public gardens threatened with development, according to manchestereveningnews.co.uk.

More than 100 followers of the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi are expected to descend on Didsbury's Marie Louise Gardens for a silent demo against plans to sell off part of the community beauty spot.

Halloween Dumbnuts Assault

An 18-year-old man from Horsham, West Sussex, has been charged with killing a 15-year-old boy at a Halloween party news.bbc.co.uk reports.

The victim died in a nunchaku attack at the party, in Horsham, on Saturday morning.

The dead youngster was one of two teenagers found with head injuries after police were called to the address.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Fast Quiet Deadly

Ah, yes - the über deadly judo. Not as lethal as the numbchucks or the ninja - but still...

Story:
California -- The defendant, a Linux engineer who is a black belt in judo, might have strangled his estranged wife to death and possibly coaxed his 6-year-old son to help cover it up, a prosecutor told jurors here Wednesday during the second day of the murder trial, blog.wired.com reports.

"There are a lot of different chokes," the prosecutor said, as he explained the art of judo. "It's fast. It's quiet. It's deadly."

Friday, November 16, 2007

TKD Master Instructor Killed

How sad...

Story:
Florida -- Young Soo Do began every tae kwon do class he taught with the mantra posted on the wall of his North Miami studio: For Myself. For My School. For My Country.

That is exactly the way the master instructor lived his life, say those who knew him.

Do, 62, who taught more than 7,000 students in his 30 years of owning Young Tae Kwon Do, died Monday from gunshot wounds. He was shot Saturday as he stood in the back of his studio, watching as his car was getting washed.

Karate Teacher Acquittal

Nevada -- A former Las Vegas karate instructor accused of sexually assaulting a minor has been found not guilty, according to klas-tv.com. Wayne Lacno has been out of jail for less than a week, found not guilty of all of the charges he was facing.

While he is excited for his new found freedom, it's going to be a tough road to get back to where he was at before the charges were brought up against him.

"They didn't even have not guilty on this paper. They had to draw a box and write in the words not guilty on the paper," Lacno says.

ATM Fantasy

Really, I'm not sure what to make of this story from miamiherald.com.

I mean, here we have someone who reportedly tells police he's got "a black belt in martial arts", and who kicks a gun out on one robber's hand while another threatens him with a knife ... And there are five or six of the robbers, no less!

And to top it off, our guy claims he "jumped in his truck, tried to follow them but lost them when he got to the corner."

This guy is either extremely skilled, one tough brother and lucky at the same time, or we're dealing with a bunch of robbers that are not too motivated - and obviously could need some more practise at robbing people. Oh yes, teamwork drills could come in handy too...

...or we have another case involving a martial arts "spin doctor" - spinning fantasy tales. And this tale seems just a "little" too fantastic to me. But then again, what do I know? I sure wasn't there.

Whole story:
A man with martial arts skills defied a robbery gang in Hollywood.

A man told police that about 11:45 a.m. Oct. 21, he drove his truck into the parking lot of the Wachovia Bank and walked to the ATM to make a deposit.

As he was finishing the transaction, he said five or six men approached him at the ATM. He said one man flashed a kitchen knife and said, "Take all your money out or I'm going to kill you."

The victim said he hit an emergency key on the ATM as the group approached him and the machine swallowed his card.

He said he explained to the knife-bearing robber that the machine had taken his ATM card and the robber told him: "I'll kill you."

The victim told police he was a black belt in martial arts and managed to kick a gun from another robber's hand.

That robber picked up the gun and the thieves ran. Jumping in his truck, the man tried to follow them but lost them when he got to the corner.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Illegal Cage Fighting

Florida -- A nationally renowned mixed martial arts fighter, who made a name for himself while competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was arrested on a felony charge Tuesday after investigators said he organized "illegal cage fighting" matches that drew more than 150 spectators, some from out of town.

The 31-year-old man, of Port St. Lucie allegedly violated a Florida statute that governs "prohibited competitions" - a third-degree felony that carries a possible maximum punishment of five years in prison.

Police said he organized and promoted an unsanctioned and unlicensed match out of a warehouse in St. Lucie West on October 19.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Well-Trained Crew

Crew members of Dai Hong Dan, a North Korean freighter, are drawing a lot of attention for their act in an incident where they escaped a hijacking off the coast of Somalia after a deadly fight with pirates, according to dailynk.com.

The ship sent a distress signal, and the USS James E. Williams which was 95 kilometers distant from the North Korean ship promptly responded to the signal.

The US warship ordered the pirates to give up their weapons through wireless communication. The unexpected intervention perplexed the pirates. The North Korean crews seized the opportunity. They drew out weapons and defeated the bandits.

A defector said "Most of North Korean seafarers of international trade or cargo ships have at least ten years of military service. They also receive martial arts training to prepare themselves for a time of emergency. Therefore, it is not that difficult for the crewmen to defeat the pirates."

Monday, November 12, 2007

Returning to The Ring

UK, Northern Ireland -- An Ulster arthritis sufferer, once so ravaged by the disease he had to have six toes amputated, is to prove he's fighting fit once more at a special martial arts extravaganza, according to belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

35-year-old Shane McCaffrey was once so crippled by arthritis he felt like "an old man" and was left unable to play with his young son Brandon, now aged 11, or carry out any ordinary household chores. He said his passions for kung fu and kickboxing were the last things on his mind.

But thanks to a drug called Enbrel, which he began taking last year, his condition has been transformed enough for him to return to the ring.

Tai Chi Ninja Assailant

UK -- Detectives hunting an armed sex attacker believe he may have an interest in the martial arts, yorkshirepost.co.uk reports.

An appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch on Monday yielded 40 calls to the studio and 20 to Keighley Police, including information about the black plimsoles worn by the man who broke into his 23-year-old victim's Baildon home and sexually assaulted her on Good Friday.

A police spokesman said: "A number of callers said these plimsoles are worm by people who do tai chi."

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Megadethkwondo

Shortly receiving a certificate of appointment as the WTF's Goodwill Ambassador of the World in a ceremony in Seoul on October 27, 2007, Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine said that his life had changed for the better thanks to taekwondo.

"Taekwondo is a great discipline. For me, it was one of the things that changed my life," Mustaine said in a recent interview. "It (taekwondo) helped me to eliminate a bad lifestyle of drug and alcoholism. It helped me to believe inside of myself and find the strength inside of myself that I never knew that I possessed."

Martial-Arts-Obsessed

UK -- A 29-year-old English and media teacher has sparked fury among parents after a chilling picture showing him holding a pair of fake handguns appeared on a popular social networking website, dailymail.co.uk reports.

The site shows him adopting what is referred to as "a sinister pose" dressed in black, with arms crossed, each hand grasping a handgun.

As well as the picture where he's glaring menacingly into the camera, the teacher went on to list his interests on the page, which included horror movies, martial arts and role playing games. Using strong language, he also spoke of how he made classroom bullies feel "insignificant".

Saturday, November 10, 2007

True Karate Champ

UK -- Karate champion, Owen Murray, has been celebrating after achieving one of the sport's highest awards - a sixth dan grading, sunderlandecho.com reports.

When Owen lost his arm in an industrial accident at the age of 20, he didn't want to feel vulnerable, so he took up the sport as a form of self-defense.

After winning gold medals at the European championships, helping Sunderland win the national championships and visiting Sierra Leone to help people in similar situations to learn karate, Owen has now chosen to teach people in his garage at home.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Wristlockido March

UK -- On Wednesday at 11:25 a.m., 30-year-old Ash Scholefield was sitting in his truck at traffic lights in Gomersal.

A van careered on to the pavement to the left of Ash's truck and crashed into a tipper lorry which was waiting at the lights. The driver of the van climbed out of the window and ran off.

Ash instinctively jumped from his own cab and chased the 16-year-old for about 1,000-meters across a school field.

Despite the teenager wearing running shoes and Ash being in his work rigger boots, he managed to catch up and tackle him. Ash knew just how to restraining the struggling youth - he is a black belt instructor in aikido.

He put the teenager in a wrist lock and marched him back to the scene of the accident and restrained him until police officers arrived 15 minutes later.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Not Done Yet

A great story here from zwire.com.

Wisconsin -- A City of Delafield woman has reached her latest goal: becoming a first-degree black belt in taekwondo. Meet Helen Bressler, age 76.

Bressler has lived an active life, which has included cross country running, downhill skiing and activities at the Senior Olympics. And she's not done yet.

A student at J.A.B. Karate Center in Okauchee, Bressler walked into the studio five years ago at age 71, informing Master Jim Bonesho that taekwondo was to be her next challenge.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Improving Motor Skills

When you read this inspirational story - just make sure you pretend you didn't see the "second dan black belt in four years" stupidity.

Apart from that, this is a great read - showing how karate (or most other martial arts for that matter), can greatly improve a childs motor skills.

Story:
For a Vienna Township family, martial arts go much further than entertainment. In fact, the discipline is credited with physical improvements in what had been a very ill child.

Nine-year-old Daniel Griffin dons his black karate uniform and makes his way to karate class several times a week. He begins the day with stretches and exercises before practicing moves associated with his kata in his course of training.

Both his parents remember a time before martial arts practice - a time when they did not expect their only child to survive.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

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

Monday, November 05, 2007

Another Karate Case

New York -- A 37-year-old Ronkonkoma karate instructor was arrested Thursday and charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old male student, according to newsday.com.

The Karate Academy owner was arrested at his home by detectives. The detectives were acting on the complaint of the alleged victim, who said he was taken in July to the instructor's home in Ronkonkoma, where he was sexually molested.

The 13-year-old describes himself as one of the karate instructor's "cool group," the ones allowed to hang out in the Karate Academy office and teach younger students.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Disturbing

New Jersey -- abclocal.go.com reports about a hospital lab technician who is under arrest, charged with a gruesome crime. Police say he had sex with the body of a 92-year-old woman in the morgue.

The 24-year-old part-time lab technician at Holy Name Hospital is charged with this disturbing and unimaginable crime.

The suspect is a part-time worker at Holy Name. He has his own myspace page in which he claims to be a sports enthusiast, who loves football, martial arts and partying.

Pacific Ice

Guam -- There's been a delay in the sentencing of a convicted drug dealer today in District Court, pacificnewscenter.com reports.

The man, a mixed martial arts fighter, faces a minimum sentence of up to 12 years and seven months in prison for possession with intent to deliver crystal methamphetamine, (known as 'ice').

He Shines in Karate

India -- He may be physically challenged, but nobody can challenge his spirits, mangalorean.com reports. The 10 year old karate student Shivananda Reddy from Andhra Pradesh is able to handle the complex art of Budokan Karate.

Shivananda is a student of a Hyderabad karate academy. He lost his leg in an automotive accident but that has not affected his urge to learn and fight. He is practicing Karate from three months and has already learnt a number of kicks and moves that goes with his repertoire.

Lawyer 1 Pit Bulls 0

Here's a note from setexasrecord.com.

Florida -- Boca Raton lawyer Paul Geller is a high-profile securities class action lawyer who's gone after some of America's largest companies. But in his spare time, the 39-year-old litigator is a nationally ranked Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor who trades in the courtroom for the octagon of mixed martial arts tournaments.

When he saw two pitbulls mauling a pregnant woman and her Schnauzer, Geller leapt into action, kicking at the dogs until they retreated. The woman needed nine stitches for facial lacerations and her dog required over 100, but both made full recoveries thanks to Geller's actions.

Karate Catch

New Jersey -- When the thief eyed a pickup truck parked outside a West Deptford Township home early Friday morning, he didn't know that its owner was a karate instructor with 12 years of experience under his black belt. He found out soon enough, nj.com reports.

The 33-year-old owner woke up shortly before 4 a.m. Friday when he heard a noise outside his bedroom window, his wife said. Heading outside to investigate the noise, the owner must have spooked the thief.

The suspect ran, the wife said, and her husband who teaches martial arts in Woodbury sprinted after him, grabbing the man and putting him in a chokehold.

Police arrived to find the karate teacher wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants sitting on the suspect's back and twisting his arm, pinning the man to the ground by holding one arm behind his back.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Banned Substances

China -- A cyclist and wushu competitor have tested positive for banned substances at China's City Games, according to canadianpress.google.com.

The competitors were suspected of using stimulants and anabolic agents. The two were identified as a gold medal winner in wushu, representing the northern city of Shijiazhuang; and a cyclist from Yinchuan in the northeast, who competed in the men's team pursuit event.

Orna-Mental

UK -- Police negotiators talked a man from a house in Exminster after he had allegedly threatened to stab a woman with a sword, thisisexeter.co.uk reports.

The woman fled the premises with her children before calling police.

The man then locked himself in the property and told police he had consumed medication and had also been drinking.

Three matching ornamental Japanese style swords in red scabbards, a fishing knife in a scabbard, and two small folding pocket knives were seized from the address.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Karate Instructor Arrested

For years, he was considered a trusted martial arts instructor in North Royalton with hundreds of students, wkyc.com reports.

Now police say the master teacher known as "Scott" violated that trust by having sex with a 14 year old girl.

Way Out of the Way

Here's an inspirational piece from sfgate.com. Don't know about this statement though: "the little-known Philippine martial art of escrima". Little known?

Story:
As Carlito Bonjoc Jr. gets his arms going, it's best to get out of the way. Like way out of the way.

The blur of hands wielding wide, stocky knives interspersed with flashes of reflected sunlight is a hypnotic, fluid movement. It's a bit like watching a finely choreographed dance.

But what Bonjoc is demonstrating is the little-known Philippine martial art of escrima. The other difference: He does it from the seat of his wheelchair or with the aid of crutches.

The 46-year-old escrima master was born with spina bifida, a congenital spinal cord defect that can affect the lower body and result in paralysis, yet he doesn't tolerate pity.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Aikidorganic

Virginia -- An aikido school planned near Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg has won recognition for its environmentally friendly headquarters development, fredericksburg.com reports

The school was recognized for landscaping that included low-impact stormwater management, an organic vegetable and ornamental garden, wildlife habitat improvement and a small greenhouse.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Predatory Sexual Assault

New York -- Niagara Falls Police Detectives have arrested and charged a 50 year old karate instructor with predatory sexual assault against a child and criminal sexual act in the first degree.

Niagara Falls Police say the karate instructor is accused of having oral sex with one of his students; a six year old boy. According to police it happened at the man's home.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Brutal Jiu-Jitsu Assault

The son of a real estate developer is in jail Friday, accused of using the martial art of jiu-jitsu to attack his girlfriend.

According to media reports, the brutal assault has shocked prosecutors and police.

The 22-year-old man from a north Chicago suburb, now attending Kansas University, is being charged with brutally beating his girlfriend in her Lawrence, Kansas, home.

Police and prosecutors say the woman's injuries are "extraordinarily terrible" and that she faces multiple surgeries. They also say the suspect used his "Brazilian jiu-jitsu" training in the attack.

Karate-Kicking Lesbian

Dang! A karate-kicking, shouting, leather-clad, sex-crazed, swearing, Easter-hating, lesbian foot specialist...
Dang, I say!

Story:
UK -- A lesbian foot specialist has been struck off for showing colleagues images of her and two other women in bondage gear and exclaiming "f*** Easter" in front of a nun, dailymail.co.uk reports.

The woman had reportedly shown colleagues indecent images herself, her partner and partner's sister "in various degrees of undress and bondage outfits".

As well as "very revealing" photos "with whips", she showed ones of "her girlfriend in leathers with her bottom exposed," and "often discussed her sex-life in front of other colleagues talking about what her and her partner did when having sex," a Health Professions Council spokeswoman said.

She said on one occasion the woman gave a Nazi salute in front of colleagues and patients. On another, she said "f*** Easter," in front of a nun who was visiting a patient on the religious holiday.

The hearing also revealed her tendency to mimic karate high-kicks and humiliate her co-workers by shouting at them.

Trial Postponed

Florida -- The 36-year-old Kissimmee karate teacher accused of molesting his students was supposed to be in court for his trial on Monday, cfnews13.com has learned that the trial has been pushed to January.

The man was arrested in in August 2006. He was charged after several students told detectives he sexually abused them.

A Taekwondo Save

Norway -- On June 22, vg.no reported about a 13-year-old who used her taekwondo skills to save her 10-year-old friend from a man.

Without prior warning, the masked man -- all clad in black -- allegedly attacked the 10-year-old girl at Haanes in Kristiansand. The attacker suddenly appeared as the two girls were walking on a footpath Wednesday afternoon.

"He came up from behind and kicked her on the legs," the teenager said. She tried to punch the man, but missed and hit a tree instead. A second punch hit the man in the abdomen.

"He kicked my friend in the leg one more time and then he took off. We then walked to a nearby road," the older girl said.

However, the man accosted the girls again. He reportedly attacked the 10-year-old with a strangle hold, attempting to drag her along to nearby woods.

"I hit him twice to his arm, scraming to let my friend go. He seemed confused, and finally ran off," the brave girl said.

The 13-year-old has been training taekwondo for two years. "My arms have become quite strong from the training, and I hit him pretty hard," the girl said.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Religious Leadership

Illinois -- Police continue to sort out incidents that turned violent over the weekend between two Rock Island church families, according to qconline.com.

Police say it started at a house where an 18-year-old was stabbed by a church leader on Saturday and continued into another church Sunday.

A minister's son was reportedly arrested for threatening people with a "karate-like" weapon, police said.

Great religious leaders... and what a "mass"! And the "karate-like" weapon must have been one of them numb-nuts ... ehh ... dumb-ducks? You know the two sticks tied together with a cord thingy :-)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Former Teacher at 19

A 19-year-old former Ipswich karate teacher who was looking after drugs for a dealer has been given a two-and-a-half year custodial sentence, eveningstar.co.uk. The young man reportedly had had 314 ecstasy tablets in his flat and 50.6 grams of speed, in his fridge. He also admitted having a small amount of cannabis, the newspaper says.

Let me get this right... A 19-year-old martial arts former karate teacher...? Dang, I guess he must have been a teacher at 15 or something. Looking at this kids picture I can't help but feeling sorry for him.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

No Olympic Monks

The general manager of the Henan Shaolin Temple Development Co. Ltd - Qian Daliang, has been quoted saying: "Chinese wushu belong to competitive sports, whereas Shaolin wushu belongs to traditional martial arts. The two have different natures, standards and connotations," said Qian.

This coems after it has been reported that Shaolin Temple itself will not send people to take part in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Wushu competition.

Read this and other martial arts related news at:
your-martial-arts-resources.com

Monday, October 22, 2007

Marshal Arts Leg Whip

I need to learn this "leg whip" so I can implement it into my "marshal arts". This technique sounds just as lethal as the judo chop :-)

Anyhow, timesrecordnews.com reports about an incident during a Wichita Falls (Texas) festival called the Shrine Fest.

6,000-7,000 people were allegedly attending, and several deputies were working off duty during the incident when fights started breaking out.

Someone was attacked and the suspect used "some type of karate or marshal arts," according to a witness. The victim was reportedly trying to settle an argument when the suspect "leg whipped" the man and broke his leg.

You can read this and other news at Your Martial Arts Resources

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Bad Combination

Let me see... Mentally unstable, paranoid schizophrenic, armed, martial arts trained (aka. an "expert")... Perhaps not the best of combinations?

Story from commercialappeal.com:
Tennessee -- A mentally unstable Cordova man accused of stabbing and injuring his parents was arrested about 9:30 Wednesday by Memphis police.

The arrest ended the daylong manhunt for the 25-year-old man, described by police as a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic who had not been taking his medication.

Officials also said the martial arts expert was armed with a knife and had warned the public not to approach him but to call police.

Friday, October 19, 2007

No Intention of Stopping Now

Here we have an inspirational piece from dunmow-broadcast.co.uk.

Richard has Down syndrome, and has been training 9 years to achieve his black belt. If only all students had the warrior spirit and endurance that this young man clearly shows - way to go Richard!

Story:
UK -- Downs syndrome sufferer Richard Clark, of Farmadine, Saffron Walden, has defied the odds by achieving Shodan (black belt) rank on his first attempt.

Richard's devotion to the sport is demonstrated by the fact he has been training for nine years, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

He said: "I would like to get my 3rd Dan, so I can teach karate myself, and that's likely to take me another five years.

"After that I will just continue my journey until I become a master. That is 10th Dan and will take me the rest of my life."

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Muscular Dystrophy

Apart from the silliness of handing out black belts after 3 1/2 years of training, this article from alliednews.com is a great read about overcoming obstacles.

Story:
Maryland -- Shane Crawford has earned his black belt in teakwondo, a tribute to the wheelchair-bound student and to his instructor at Kick Masters Karate who had to devise a specialized curriculum to match Crawford's circumstances.

25-year-old Shane was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a condition that causes rapid muscle degeneration - in 1987. He has little movement from the waist up and uses a motorized, electronic wheelchair, which he operates with the motion that remains in his right hand.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Confuse-Us Speaks #18

Heres a great, clearifying article from siasat.com:

"Another major show of taek wondo, a martial art that is an Olympic sport, will be witnessed in the city from Tuesday. The 26th senior National taek wondo championships will be held at Swarna Bharati Indoor Stadium till September 29."

Taek wondo? Sure it's not teak wondo - the art that is a sport, which was invented by none other than Spruce Lee.

Or perhaps it's Hickoryu Kobudo, Balsavate, Ash-ihara karate? Koto jutsu...? No? How about Oakido?

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Guilt And Anger

New Zealand -- A 50-year-old Masterton martial arts teacher has been jailed for sexual offences against a girl who had been one of his pupils. The man pleaded guilty to the five charges relating to a nine-year-old girl nearly 20 years ago, according to stuff.co.nz.

The judge said the man ran a martial arts center that the girl had attended and he came to know her family. Through the family contact she sometimes stayed at his house and the offending began there.

The victim is now in her 20s and the guilt and anger about what happened had blighted her life, the judge said.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Samurai Sword Chase

Colorado -- An Eagle woman is accused of chasing a group of Hispanic children with a sword, according to thedenverchannel.com.

The woman faces a number of charges, including ethnic intimidation, after allegedly calling them "illegal spics," according to police.

The 21-year-old female reportedly chased the children, aged 9 to 15, with an 18-inch samurai sword because they were playing in an apartments parking lot.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

More Abuse

Oregon -- A karate instructor suspected of sexually abusing several of his underaged female students in the 1990s was returned Thursday by California authorities, oregonlive.com reports.

Police said the 52-year-old man was transferred to the Washington County Jail from Fresno, California, where he was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated.

The known Oregon victims were girls between the ages of 8 and 15 and all were students of the man at his Tigard business.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Confuse-Us Speaks #17

"Karate instructors at more than 2,000 American Tai Kwon Do Association studios in the country taught kids how to get away from people who may try to hurt him."

Tai Kwon Do? Karate instructors at taekwondo studios?

May seem like someone at khqa.com likes to flash their ignorance.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Another Young Expert

Let's see...

Thea Slatyer is 24 - bodyguard and plays on the Australian national football team. This according to newpaper.asia1.com.sg.

And of course, she's a martial arts expert... Gasp - she must have earned herself the deadly black belt!

Seriously, I'm sure this young women is great. But I'm contemplating to have a "word" with the next journalist I encounter.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

The Ninja-Bandit

Wcbstv.com reports about the Staten Island ninja bandit who allegedly have struck 16 times in 4 months.

On Staten Island, "Return of the Ninja Bandit" is the real-life ramblings of a house burglar. A Staten Island woman heading to bed Friday night encountered a masked intruder on the stairs leading up to her bedroom, with the suspect—dressed all in black, with a matching ski mask—fleeing the scene after the run-in, police said.

The intruder escaped with property from the home after the 10:30 p.m. incident, and police linked the crime to 15 previous house robberies on Staten Island since June 6.

The so-called "Ninja Bandit" has slipped into the homes via skylights, windows and front doors, police said. On five previous occasions, the bandit was confronted by a homeowner but managed to escape the scene, police said.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Expert Sure

Could it possibly, just possibly be that this man is in a tight spot simply because he's an idiot, not because he happens to be African-American?

Oh, and of course a sub-heading of this piece from wlwt.com says "Martial arts expert charged with courthouse knife"...

I wonder if this expert thing is contagious? "What is that you got - the flu?" "No - I walked into this place, and now I've got myself an expert status!"

Jeez...

Story:
Civil rights activists complained Thursday that an African-American man is a victim of a legal double standard.

The man was arrested earlier this month after he refused to hand over a knife as he went through courthouse security, authorities said.

The man, who practices martial arts, was due to appear in Hamilton County Court September 14 on a traffic citation when he pushed a duffle bag through a security X-ray scan.

Inside was a three-inch knife the man said he used in his martial-arts studies and had forgotten to take out of the bag.

Officers said they removed the T-shaped knife and confiscated it, and police said the man questioned the officers, became belligerent and lashed out at a Sheriff's deputy.

A judge raised bond after he said the man became uncooperative during his arraignment and refused to give his name, and another judge declined to reduce the amount during a Thursday hearing.

Police Found Weapons

Cyprus -- Two brothers, 23 and 28, attacked four officers with swords after they came to search their home for drugs August 3, according to cyprus-mail.com.

The men are believed to be hiding out in the occupied areas. The men's father, mother and 15-year-old brother were all arrested after the vicious assault, which left four members of the Drug Squad and Crime Prevention Unit in hospital, two of them with serious injuries.

The attack took place when officers went to the house in central Limassol to search for drugs and weapons. The two brothers attacked the officers with swords and other martial arts weapons after police attempted to arrest their father.

Female Ninja Robbers

Girls - ladies - will you please leave these stupid male antics alone? I mean, guys like us need to have at least some really stupid acts to ourselves - dressing up in daft ninja costumes should be considered one of them :-)

Story:
Pennsylvania -- Police in suburban Pittsburgh say two women dressed as ninjas were responsible for the hold-up of a gas station, according to thepittsburghchannel.com. The robbery was caught on the store's surveillance camera.

The robbers were armed with a dagger and a sword, and they allegedly tied up the female clerk before robbing the place.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Another Bad Idea

Colombia -- News.yahoo.com says a stick-up man chose the wrong target when he was beaten and hospitalized in an attempted robbery.

The man's chosen target was reportedly a karate school in Bucaramanga in northwestern Colombia.

"The man entered the academy with a firearm, but could not intimidate the dozens of students, who fortunately reacted and disarmed him," a police commander in the province said.

Police arrived at the scene only to take the would-be robber to hospital for treatment of multiple contusions at the hands of the karate students.

Fled to the US

New Zealand -- A yellow necktie may have been used to strangle a mum, killed three weeks after her abusive husband lured her home, according to news.com.au.

New Zealand detectives seized the tie, a martial arts staff and a dressing gown as the search for the woman's fugitive husband intensified in the US.

The man fled to Los Angeles after he dumped his baby daughter at Melbourne's Southern Cross railway station. His wife's body was found in the boot of his car six days after he left New Zealand.

The husband, a Chinese martial arts expert, hunted down his terrified wife after she fled their Auckland home in June.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Instructor Faces Charges

Canada -- Five more girls - all under 14 - have come forward alleging they were victimized by an Edmonton martial arts instructor already accused of sexually assaulting three pre-teen girls, according to edmontonsun.com.

The 50-year-old taekwondo instructor was originally charged September 7 with sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation. He taught classed at two elementary schools last year.

Judo Politics

Straitstimes.com reports how Japan has been "kicked off judo's ruling board after 55 years". Legendary Y. Yamashita lost his seat on the IJF's executive committee, leaving it without a Japanese representative for the first time since the country joined in 1952.

'It will become difficult for Japan to obtain information. I fear we will have to struggle in catching up with the trend of the world,' he was quoted saying after the fact.

According to Straittimes, media feared the absence of a Japanese on the ruling board could lead to changes in rules, formats and Olympic quotas in a way unacceptable to the birthplace of judo.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Healthy and Lithe

...And 114 years old! En.epochtimes.com has an article about Lu Zijian, who was born in 1893. Which means this gentleman has seen three centuries - just think about that for a moment...

Lu is, according to the article "(...) adept at martial arts and can still move a young man of around 150 pounds 15 feet away with just one push."

It is really great to read about an old master being active like this!

Still, it is kind of strange to read how he once fought a "Japanese taekwondo master" in Shanghai.

Anyhow - let's take it for what it is. If nothing else it shows how one can stay healthy and active way beyond what is normally considered old age.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Bamboodo

Missouri -- A Warrensburg martial arts instructor is accused of hitting a 7-year-old boy with a bamboo stick, according to thekansascitychannel.com.

According to a police report, the mother of the boy said her son had problems respecting his parents, so she asked the instructor to help her son learn to respect his elders.

But when the boy finished martial arts class on August 27 and had bruises and red marks on his shins, his right thigh and right wrist, the mother contacted authorities.

The police report said the man hit the boy with a bamboo stick if he failed to do squats and push-ups the correct way.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The "krotty" kick

In case you wonder, "krotty" is also known as karate... And what's this - someone missing with this über-lethal kick? I thought only *experts* were allowed to flash the serious stuff (like the judo chop, krotty kick, ninja finger signs and jiu-jitsu strangulation)?

Story:
Germany -- A 29-year-old man was one of three arrested following an incident on the fringes of a wine festival in Guntersblum, near Mainz.

A group of six Germans encountered a Sudanese and an Egyptian man in the early hours of August 19, according to Dailystaregypt.com.

The 29-year-old is believed to have shouted a racist slur, threatened to ''flatten'' the two and then tried unsuccessfully to karate-kick the Sudanese man, who was then beaten, a prosecutor said.

When the Egyptian tried to help his companion, he was attacked with a broken bottle and had a finger injured. Passers-by then intervened and called police.

Monday, September 17, 2007

More Ninjazz

Ninjazz: Sneaky music with (very) odd meters. Players tend to wear black and hide in the dark. Scary stuff... :-)

From murfreesboropost.com:
A man expressed worry because his Murfreesboro neighbor was outside waving around a sword.

An officer explained to the neighbor he couldn't practice his Ninja skills in his front yard. The man promised to leave the non-sharpened practice sword inside his home.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

All That Ninjazz

New York -- A ninja-clad burglar was sent scurrying from a Staten Island kitchen early yesterday when the homeowner stabbed the samurai sneak in the shoulder, according to nydailynews.com.

Phil Chiolo said he had just gone to bed when he heard what sounded like a pan hit the kitchen floor about 1 a.m. in his Dongan Hills home.

"When I got into the kitchen, the door was jimmied open," the resident said. "To my surprise, there was a man standing there dressed in a ninja costume, with nun-chucks and everything. All I saw was his eyes."

The intruder immediately struck Chiolo across his collarbone with the nun-chucks, he said.

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

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Aggressive Not Angry

Here's a great article about Muay Thai for women.

Amongst other things it talks about being aggressive without being angry - something is vital to all fighting arts.
This statement really rings true: "Overcoming fear is half the battle in any situation -- whether it's in the ring or everyday life."

It does sound though like this is more of a fitness/work-out thing, rather than actual fighting.

Friends Fighting

Who could possibly need enemies with friends like this...

Story:
Pennsylvania -- Around 7:30 p.m. Friday, North Sewickley Township police were called to a high school parking lot for a reported stabbing, and found two young men in a field adjacent to the school, according to timesonline.com.

Police said a 19-year-old male was bleeding from stab wounds, and about 70 yards away, the other man, 20, was lying on the ground with cuts on his head and left thumb.

Police said the two, who had been friends, were arguing about a girl and the dispute turned physical. Police said a maintenance man who saw the fight broke it up and left. But the men fought again, he said.

The younger man, who police said has been trained in the Army in mixed martial arts and ground combat fighting, knocked the other to the ground and began punching and kneeing him, in addition to choking him, police said.

The 20-year-old was on the ground when he pulled a fold-out pocket knife from his pants and stabbed the other in both legs, police said.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Escala-Do

Indiana -- According to Tmnews.com, an 18-year-old woman and her friend goes to the home of a 26-year-old man in Bloomington, to visit a puppy.

The man snaps at her and becomes confrontational, the two starts to argue. A fight eventually ensues. Woman shoves man, man slaps her with open hand.

The woman retaliates by punching the man in the mouth. Man leaves and come back with a samurai sword. The man swings the sword at her, but the sword hits the floor by her foot.

With her friend encouraging her to leave, the woman turns to go, and as she steppes off the porch she is being cut in the buttocks. The woman is left with gaping cut that is 8 to 9 inches long.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Klodeckeln-Do

Sure, this is a great feat, and I'm confident this is a great guy, but still... I'm always left with sort of a pressing question, a simple: why?

Even though one can pee on electric fences doesn't automatically make it a brilliant idea to do it... The late, great Bruce Lee probably said it best when he talked about why he didn't break boards: "Boards don't hit back".

Story:
41-year-old Kevin Shelley from Indianapolis is a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo. He can probably defend himself against a lot: muggers, troublemakers, now even the occasional wayward toilet.

The Carmel personal trainer credited his technique in a successful quest to set a Guinness Book of Records mark by using his head to break 46 wooden toilet seat lids in 60 seconds.

Shelley recently appeared on a live, German version of the "Guinness World Records" television show to compete for the world record in breaking "klodeckeln" (wooden toilet seat lids) with his head.

He broke 46 of the lids in 60 seconds; his opponent - a martial arts expert from Hamburg, Germany - broke 41. The previous 60-second record was 30.

Source: The Indianapolis Star
Read more martial arts stories at: your-martial-arts-resources.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Apologize

I'm not really sure what is the strangest (as in most stupid) part here. Shaolin munks taking a forum post about ninja serious; or the fact that they have a lawyer looking into the matter.

Can we expect an all-american (now also Chinese) Sue-do match in the near future? :-)

Story:
China's Shaolin Temple has demanded a public apology from an Internet user who claimed a Japanese ninja beat its kung fu-practising monks in a showdown, a lawyer said Friday.

An open letter from the temple posted on the Internet denied the fight ever took place and called on the person who posted the claim under the name "Five minutes every day" to apologize to the temple's martial arts masters.

Monks from the temple said they will consider legal action if he or she doesn't make a public apology.

Source: ca.news.yahoo.com

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Decent Blow

New Zealand -- A would be abductor got more than he bargained for when a woman used her martial arts experience.

The woman and her friend were walking home from inner city Hamilton when came across a two door silver car parked suspiciously. A man jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to drag the woman into the vehicle but she escaped after striking him with what police say was a decent blow.

Both occupants of the car were described as wearing dark clothing and had masks over their faces. Police investigating the activities of a serial rapist in Hamilton are keeping an open mind on whether there is any link.

Source

Splendid

Judo: 1 - Robber: 0

Germany -- A blind judo expert astounded a mugger by pinning him to the ground after he tried to steal his cigarettes, police said according to News.yahoo.com.

The 17-year-old assailant spotted the 33-year-old (identified only as Emil E.) at a train station in the southwestern town of Giessen and thought he would be easy prey, a police spokesman said.

But what the attacker did not know, was that his intended victim was a world-class blind judo wrestler.

The 17-year-old threatened the blind man, then punched him in the face, at which point the martial artist flipped him and held him down until police arrived.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Disco Dojo

Yep, it's the latest fitness fad from LA - [...drum roll...] Disco Dojo (sic.)

"We can't possibly have the boring old stuff, now can we? People want to be entertained, they demand something fresh and exciting... This karate stuff is sooo last week!"

Story:
Maybe you want to try kicking things up a notch to make things a little more interesting.
You don't have to be a dancer or practice martial arts to take a disco dojo class. "But you can train like one," says Scott Cole, creator of disco dojo. "

What is this class exactly? "Fun, F-U-N," Cole says. "It's a combination of martial arts and dance. I had a dance aerobic background, and then I started taking martial arts in my early 30s and then started combining kickboxing, tai-chi, taekwondo, all into the mix of Latin salsa, some of the kicks, punches, and some of the disco moves too."

Source

Tycoon Step Down

According to Straitstimes.com, Park Yong-Sung is to step down as head of the International Judo Federation (IJF).

The South Korean tycoon has been under pressure from European countries to resign as he has been serving in the post since 1995. He was elected in 2005 for a third term which was to last until 2009. His resignation as IJF president means he will automatically lose his IOC membership.

Mr Park was convicted in 2006 of corruption and his IOC membership was suspended. He was later pardoned by the government and reinstated on the Olympic body. He was the second South Korean IOC member in two years to receive a criminal conviction.

Killer Trucker Ninja

New York -- Police believe they've solved the vicious murder of a New Jersey woman and say the suspect may be connected numerous other murders along the East Coast.

A 43-year-old North Carolina truck driver was arrested and charged in the murder of a 38-year-old woman, who was found hacked to death inside her Bloomsbury home July 29. Surveillance video from a truck stop near her home shows the man was at that stop the same night of her murder.

Police say just one day after that crime, the man was in Massachusetts where he broke into a home in Chelmsford dressed as a ninja and tried to rape a teenage girl at knife-point. The teenager was not seriously injured in the incident. Her father was able to hear her screams and ran into her bedroom where he pinned the intruder down until police arrived.

According to police, when they apprehended the suspect they found knives, a mask, and a DVD titled "Hunting Humans" hidden inside the cab of his truck.

Source

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Experts Everywhere

UK -- A 52-year-old martial arts expert (sic.) beat up a teenager after his son said he had been assaulted by him.

The father launched his attack after his son phoned him crying. He was playing football with his friends and the group decided to play another game involving play fighting.

The prosecutor said, "The victim picked up the defendant's son and then dropped him to the ground. He started crying. The defendant punched and kicked the boy who fell down and was then kicked in the face. He kicked him in the leg, elbow and in the back of the head and threw him to the ground."

The boy reportedly sustained injuries which included a laceration to his lower lip, grazes to the left cheek and swelling.

Source

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Naughty Nocturnal Ninja

Oh boy... Watching too many video games and bad movies I guess :-)

Story:
Three teen members of a self-proclaimed "ninja" group who graduated to burglary after skulking across rooftops and ghosting through people's yards at night were taken into custody Tuesday night. Two 15-year-old boys and one 16-year-old boy were lodged in a juvenile detention center and face multiple charges.

Rogue River police became aware that local youths were involved in the dangerous nocturnal antics early this year when a Grants Pass man called to say his son had friends in Rogue River who were dressing in black costumes, sneaking around at night, and climbing on things.

Over the past several months, the police department has been plagued by calls about the escapades of the so-called ninjas, a spokesman said. Lawn ornaments were removed, wooden sculptures blockaded a driveway, paint cans were tipped over, and black-clad figures were seen on rooftops and in trees.

"In one incident, the word 'ninja' was burned into a man's yard with bleach," the spokesman said. "But I don't think anybody saw them committing crimes."

Source

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Pain-Free With Tai Chi

There's a new study on tai chi, conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles' (UCLA) Center for East-West Medicine. And reportedly this study adds one more medical malady to the list: Tension headaches.

Dr. Ka-Kit Hui, founder and director of the center and co-author of the study, says that "A lot of people have tension headaches and they just take Tylenol or over-the-counter medications, which buys them some relief, but doesn't get to the root of the problem. We teach them how to deal with negative emotions."

Tai chi addresses body-mind issues, Dr. Hui added, which can help improve a practitioner's quality of life.

According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), tension headaches are the most common form of headache, with about 78 percent of adults experiencing one at some point in their lives.

Source

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Kung-Fit

"Martial arts classes don't make you fit or get you in shape. It's a martial arts myth, says Mike Wittig who studied kung fu for 16 years but joined a gymnastics class to get the conditioning he wanted."

Source: Canada.com

You know what? To a large extent I tend to agree. Many martial arts classes that I've observed are more like a "walk in the park" than a serious work-out.

Still, this "lack of fitness" largely depends upon A. The art/style itself, and B. How the various classes are run.

Let us not forget either that the concept of "fitness" is a very broad team. It is something that is measured in relevance to something else; you are more or less fit compared to someone or something.

But yes - if you are after, say a specific sort of cardiovascular endurance, then other activities - like running - are absolutely better suited to the purpose than kung fu, karate or jujutsu.

Finally, make no mistake about it, any fighter worthy of the name must be in great shape to succeed.

Allegations of Misconduct

As US taekwondo athletes head to Colorado Springs for next week's Olympic trials, several allegations of misconduct are surfacing. The charges include underage drinking and sexual harassment.

The chief executive of U.S. Taekwondo, said he has imposed a zero tolerance policy on such misconduct.

Six current or former junior team members have told media they participated in or saw underage drinking 13 months ago during a competition in Vietnam.

A female member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2000, said younger team members were having sex with older members.

Source

Monday, September 03, 2007

Swords and Robbers

Wisconsin -- A couple wanted to leave a small Wisconsin town, but were arrested for robbing a gas station with a samurai sword.

According to a criminal complaint, 22-year-old Renee Ferreri, told police that she and Brian A. Schmid, 24, "were tired of their lives, and they just 'gave up' ".

Source

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Alleged Torture

India -- Wonder marathon kid Budhia Singh's (judo) trainer Biranchi Das has been detained by the police after the boy's mother lodged an FIR against him alleging physical torture.

Budhia's mother Sukanti Singh alleged that Biranchi had been torturing the seven-year-old boy whose exploits at long-distance running had stunned the sporting world.

The child had entered the Limca Book of Records when he ran a distance of 65 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar on May 2 last year in 7.02 hours. The run also kicked off a controversy with several organisations and the district child welfare committee objecting to such shows involving a small boy.

Sukanti had taken the boy away from the judo association hall a few days ago where he lived and trained with the coach.

Source

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Vicars Wife

"l Fight the Good Fight – From Vicar's Wife to Killing Machine", is a book written by Catherine Fox.

I do assume the "killing machine" part is sort of tongue-in-cheek, since this is not what most people would associate with judo - 'the gentle art'.

It does sound like this book is written with a lot of humor, and would make a great read. If nothing else, it should be able to shatter a few myths about martial arts.

Like the author herself says: "(...) it is not something that clergy wives do that often, roll around on the floor with sweaty men."

Source

Excels at 92

Way cool!

Story:
Nebraska -- Judo is a martial art that develops physical strength and mental toughness. A Lincoln man is strong and tough - thanks to more than 50 years on the mat. Paul Owen lifts weights and exercises three times a week and has for years. The 92-year-old has to stay in shape for the other two days a week he spends on the judo mat.

When I first started, if anybody took me to the mat I was beat. Eventually, I got to the place where I had enough technique to make them work for it.

Paul got started in judo more than five decades after watching an expert teach a class. "That was the last. That was the last watching," said Owen.

Source

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Mugger-Bugger

UK (Scotland) -- When three muggers picked out Oxford actor Tom Clews to steal his cash in the street, they chose the wrong man.

Perhaps they should have decided a 20-year-old carrying a 3ft-long broadsword wasn't the ideal target, but they carried on as they pinched a £20 note from his hand and ran away down the road.

But Mr Clews - who was starring as Greek mythical hero Odysseus at the Edinburgh Fringe - chased them down while bare-chested and brandishing his solid-metal stage weapon.

Mr Clews, from Headington, tripped up one of the gang with his sword then wrestled with them in the street before snatching his money back.

When police arrived they hauled in the gang because they were wanted for a similar theft on festival-goers earlier that evening.

Mr Clews, who practices the martial art Tae Kwon Do and plans to study Fight Choreography and Stage Combat, said yesterday: "I followed them hurling abuse and something hit me in the face, I don't know what it was, but I didn't get any cuts or scars.

Source

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Boo-Do

UK -- Drinkers have been warned not to be taken in by bogus charity collections. A man visited pubs and businesses in Brierfield on Friday claiming to be collecting cash to give underprivileged children martial arts lessons.

But police say the money was going into his pocket rather than to a good cause. They were alerted by a pub-goer on Friday, but the man had left before they had chance to confront him.

Source

Saturday, August 25, 2007

More Blues for Seagal

Not long ago, Steven Seagal was one of the best-paid action stars in Hollywood. The martial arts master played crime-busting anti-heroes in films that generated more than $1 billion in ticket and DVD sales during the 1990s. Now he appears in low-budget productions that go straight to video.

Seagal says he knows why: Five years ago, he was implicated in a plot to frighten two journalists out of writing unflattering stories about him and his former business partner.

An FBI affidavit detailed allegations that Seagal hired private eye Anthony Pellicano to terrorize one of the reporters, a freelancer working for the Los Angeles Times.

The investigation soon changed course, focusing on allegations that Pellicano spied on celebrities and other members of the Hollywood elite. The onetime detective-to-the-stars is in federal prison, awaiting trial on wire-tapping and other charges.

Seagal and the alleged plot to intimidate journalists became a footnote. The actor was never charged, and federal authorities have privately told reporters they have no persuasive evidence against him. But the FBI has never publicly cleared him.

Seagal said the publicity has been devastating to his career. He wants an apology.

Source

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Monster

Nevada -- Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin "The Monster" Randleman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence near Las Vegas recently. The 36-year-old man was also booked on charges of malicious destruction of public property, intimidating a public officer and other driving offenses, according to a report.

Randleman was stripped of his license to compete in mixed martial arts by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on February 16 after the light heavyweight provided a urine sample that was free of human hormones following his submission loss at PRIDE 32.

Source

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Better Grades With Karate

Georgia -- "It's been helping me a lot," says the Middle School eighth-grader, who last year watched as her D's and F's rose to B's and C's after beginning karate classes.

"Not only have her grades improved; so has her attitude", her instructor says, "She's more confident".

At first, she really didn't like martial arts classes, Christin said. Now, her improved academics are directly linked to those classes, because when her grades drop she has to give them up.

Source

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

No Head Scarves

Sweden -- Eleven female Iranian athletes have not been allowed to participate in a karate competition in Kalmar, because they refused to remove their traditional Islamic head scarves.

The women athletes was to take part in the Konishi Cup competition, but ended up as spectators.

According to the rules, competitors must not wear jewellery, necklaces or any type of head gear and the judge of the karate tournament said he wouldn't make an exception in this case.

Source

Monday, August 20, 2007

Drunken Batman

Canada -- Some Saskatoon residents took matters into their own hands, taking down a 35-year-old bat-wielding man who sped through their neighbourhood before smashing his car.

"These guys need to get the message that people aren't going to put up with this garbage," said Ryan Deback, who wrestled the attacker to the ground. "There was no way I was going to let this guy bully the neighbourhood."

Deback was in his home when he heard a revving engine then the sound of a collision. He went outside and saw the car, front end crumpled and front tire bent under, sitting at a T-intersection.

Other neighbours filtered out of their homes as Deback went to the car and "gave him a piece of my mind," he said. "I was upset, real upset. There are kids that play around here and someone could have been killed. We don't need this."

That's when the came out, Deback said, and confronted him. "He was six feet from me and I could smell the booze. He bumped into me and I pushed back," said Deback, a correctional officer at the Regional Psychiatric Centre.

The two men exchanged shoves again and Deback pulled out a cellphone and dialled the police service general number. It was busy, so he decided to wait and try again. Meanwhile, the driver got back into his car and tried to leave but the crippled car wouldn't co-operate.

"He came back out again and popped his trunk. He took out an aluminum bat and made a clear distinction that I was going to have to deal with him," said Deback, who also happens to be trained in karate.

While the drunk driver took his backswing, Deback stepped in and grabbed the bat, knocked the man down and got on top. He tried to hold the man's arms as they scuffled then Deback called for help from the crowd that had assembled.

Source

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Not the Same

What? Are there someone actually trying to say that karate and taekwondo is not the same? But, but ... In America ...

Story:
A promotional brochure for a new Taekwondo park has sparked patriotic ire since the child models in the North Jeolla Province publication are wearing what appear to be karate suits.

The first glimmer of controversy appears to be a posting on the website of the North Jeolla provincial government titled, "Brochure for the Taekwondo park, a shame."

There, a devotee of the Korean martial art pointed out, "The models wear karate suits, their belts are tied improperly, and what is worse, there is no green belt in Taekwondo. This brochure is a waste of money. How could you administer the Taekwondo park without being able to distinguish the Taekwondo suit from the karate suit. Will you promote the spirit and culture of Korea in a brochure with kimono-clad models?"

Source

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Porn Charges

Florida -- A Lakeland martial arts instructor has been arrested, charged with possessing child pornography, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

The 27-year-old man used his home computer to download and distribute child pornography, according to a FDLE spokeswoman.

Agents took the man into custody Thursday, charging him with 100 counts of possessing child pornography. Each count is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Source