Wednesday, July 30, 2008

He Dialed 911

Massachusetts -- As 12-year-old Bryan Huynh's family were being terrorized by armed robbers upstairs, the young boy calmly used his cousin's cell phone from the basement to alert police, according to news.bostonherald.com.

The child said karate training helped him stay calm enough to call 911, saving his family from the gun-wielding thugs who tied up and robbed them in their Weymouth home.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Murder for Hire Plot

Michigan -- A 42-year-old man who operates a martial arts/karate studio in Holland has been accused of attempting to hire an undercover police detective he believed was a hit man to murder his former girlfriend, according to wzzm13.com.

The man told the "hit man" he would get a bonus if the body of the "target" was never found.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Role Models

Texas -- A 34-year-old karate school owner was supposed to be a role model. The 34-year-old man is now convicted for having sex with a young female student at his school in College Station.

The girl had reportedly been a karate student for two years, when she began to have an affair with the man at the studio. She was 16 at the time (in 2005), according to kbtx.com

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Another Low Blow

Cases like this is probably amongst the last of things the martial arts need. Even if this is one local school, it affects us all.

One parent in this story from Bakersfield, California, expressed her disappointment like this: "It's frustrating because this art is supposed to teach respect and discipline and obviously they have no respect for other people."

Sad, but true.

The kenpo karate school allegedly closed it's doors with nothing more than a two days written notice. Not only that, they were reportedly collecting tuition just days before they cleared out.

"They didn't give us any indication that there was a problem whatsoever," another parent said.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Former UFC Champ Arrested

It seems that 'good old' (he's just 30...) former UFC champ "Rampage" Jackson has been on a hit and run rampage with his car - at least that's what iht.com reports.

The newspaper says the MMA light heavyweight fighter was arrested after a series of collisions allegedly involving the large pickup truck he was driving in Costa Mesa, California.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Turnaround

Oklahoma -- 14-year-old Andrea Delgado of Oklahoma City has recently been honored with a 2008 Honor of Hope award, according to newsok.com.

The girl was potentially headed for real trouble, according to the report. However, that was before her mother took her to a community outreach center three years ago where she was introduced to karate.

The outreach centers targets neighborhoods with high crime and gang activities. At the center, Andrea now mentors other youths as well as makes sure to keep her younger brother in line.

The awards are reportedly given to young people who reject negative influences and instead serve as positive role models.

Congratulations young lady, and best of luck with your martial arts!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sneaky Ninja

Sneky ninja tactics
Oh yes boys and girls, it doesn't get any more sneaky, ninja style and "out of sight" than this. Talking about going behind someones unsuspecting back :-)

Worst (or perhaps best?) part is how this pranky (is that a word?) surprise attack reminds me of my own "shady" past ... many moons ago I should add.

You always have to watch your back for sure - there are skilled ninja (and equally skilled - and deadly - "ninjettes") everywhere!

Oh, and if you are in any way, shape or form "ninjazzed" about folks making fun of your martial art...? Lighten up ... seriously :-)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

He Intervened

In Bangkok (Thailand), a former Muay Thai boxer has been jailed along with a woman he saved from a rape attempt, according to bangkokpost.com.

The 27-year-old man intervened to prevent the 40-year-old woman being raped on August 29, 2005.

The incident was viewed by the Criminal Court as an attempt to bludgeon a person to death. The man admitted he "lightly kicked" the would-be rapist. The woman admitted she had used a knife to slash the attacker's face several times after he collapsed after a series of blows from the Thai boxer.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Shirtless Karateka

When will they ever learn? Denying a man his rightful cigarette ... no wonder he didn't want to be arrested!

And as we all know, any karate stance is dangerous stuff - probably the most deadly martial arts move ever. So when someone is capable of "exhibiting different karate style stances randomly" - shirtless no less - then oh my goodness, here comes the pain again!

Reportedly, this poser in Bremerton, Washington punched both a bystander and a police officer before he was arrested.

Good it wasn't taekwondo stances after all. Nothing can stop that, not even a judo chop.

Suicide

Update to the below story:
It has unfortunately been confirmed that the man died from the injuries he sustained. He had been in critical condition at the hospital since June 27.

New Hampshire -- As a result of brain swelling, a 43-year-old man is comatose at a Manchester hospital. The man was reportedly found in a Hillsborough County jail cell - hanging by a sheet that had been strapped through the top bunk of his bed, according to nashuatelegraph.com.

The man, who had been incarcerated at the jail since June 25, had apparently attempted suicide on June 27.

The local martial arts (karate) and boxing teacher, was out on bail stemming from two previous arrests in Nashua this year at the time of his arrest.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Tainted Past

Here's a very interesting and thought provoking article you should read! It is about the not-so-glorious past of taekwondo.

Nothing negative said about the art as such. However I think we all need to know the whole picture of all martial arts - not just the rose-painted and hyped up one.

Truly, there is so much politics - so much power play and bull going on, it sometimes make me quite sick. And by all means, this is not just within taekwondo!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Murder Charge

Florida -- A 22-year-old man is on trial, charged with strangling his 13-year-old neighbor in Logan Gate Park, Tampa on December 8, 2005.

The former church leader with no prior criminal record, studied martial arts and practiced karate moves with with the murder victim in the teenager's driveway, according to tampabay.com

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Teen Died

Ohio -- A 15-year-old reportedly died from a serious head injury on July 15, according to middletownjournal.com.

The boy attended a Christian camp at the Cedarville University, and participated in a "Sumo Wrestling" event.

The accident happened inside an inflatable ring when the victim dove on top of another student and landed on his head.

Karate Sword

Karate sword? I do wonder if they are talking about a katana - a Japanese sword that is not connected to karate in any way, shape or form ... apart from all the strange people who like to pose with one in their karate uniform.

But hey, there are indeed karateka who also study real sword arts. However, these folks would probably throw up (or be insulted for life) if you used the term "karate sword" about a katana.

The weapon art of katana is most of the times called kenjutsu. Drawing the sword - combat style - is referred to as iaijutsu. These arts art a part of Japanese bujutsu (or bugei) - the old warrior (bushi) arts and methods of Japan.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Fighting Cystic Fibrosis

Suzie Seever from White Bear, Minnesota is a fighter. She has had a double-lung and kidney transplant over the past eight years because of cystic fibrosis, but she is getting her kicks from taekwondo training according to wcco.com.

She is planning to become an instructor one day, talking about the training as the one place where she forget about everything and just focus.

If you're willing to look past the usual mix-up of karate and tkd - this is a really inspirational and great story!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Connor Loves Karate

UK -- Even though Connor is working from a wheelchair, he can can join in with the rest of the class - practising punches with his arms, according to newmarketjournal.co.uk.

The seven-year-old boy -- who has suffered a form of cerebral palsy since birth -- recently took up karate. His mother states that although he finds it quite tiring, he absolutely loves it.

Way to go young man - best of luck to you!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Liability Waivers Challenged

It seems that the use of liability waivers is being challenged in the Florida Supreme Court, according to news-press.com.

This is probably something you should look into if you are running (or plan to open up) a martial arts facility in the US!

The owner of a kenpo karate school in Fort Myers, says he is concerned with the prospect of going to court.

His dojo serves students from age 4 to adulthood. He has only seen minor bruises and injuries at his business. However, he states that if someone is seriously hurt, he shouldn't automatically become a legal target.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Fit With Karate

Could someone please take one of these breaking boards and hit these folks (school owners, instructors and media ignorants) over the head with it for me?

Why can't people use karate about karate, and taekwondo about taekwondo? Are they ashamed of their own art or something? ...Or is it just me that needs to get my head fixed :-)

That said (and I fell much better now, thank you :), here's a nice article from Missouri about seniors doing karate ... which probably is taekwondo after all.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

A Student of Karate

New Jersey -- A 17-year-old girl was sleeping insider her bedroom in Glen Rock on Monday, when a suspect entered her home and assaulted her, police said. The intruder reportedly came into the home through an unlocked door, according to wcbstv.com.

The perpetrator then walked up the stairs to her room and crawled into the girl's bed. A police source said she woke up to the man's hands inside her pajamas.

Being a student of karate, she knew how to defend herself. She reportedly fought back as the attacker began to force a sock into her mouth.

Police explained how the girl punched the intruder, clawed him and pulled his hair. The struggle ended up on the floor before the man ran down the stairs and out of the house.

Police feel confident they'll find the perpetrator who seemed to be very familiar with the girl's home.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Samurai Granny

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

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

Saturday, July 05, 2008

A Tragedy

UK -- A 52-year-old British sixth dan karate expert -- who had been practising karate for more than 30 years -- has been found dead together with his two children, aged 3 and 7 years.

It is being speculated that the man killed himself and the children by carbon monoxide poisoning according to news.bbc.co.uk. All three were found inside the man's parked in Land Rover in a Wales.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

A Very Jealous Man

California -- A Palmdale taekwondo instructor is missing and four people are dead, allegedly at the hand of two Los Angeles men, 39 and 37, according to origin.dailynews.com.

The fact that his estranged wife was dating her children's tae kwon do instructor, "upset" one of the two suspects. Together with an accomplice he slashed and beat four people to death on June 23 - the ex-wife, along with her two children and a relative. The pair also set set fire to the home, according to reports.

It is reported that the instructor is missing. It is being speculated if he also may be a victim of foul play.

MMA Death Touch

Slovakia -- A K-1 and MMA fighter who reportedly is the holder of the title "fastest KO in Vale Tudo in the Czech republic", allegedly stepped into a fight between guests while working as a bouncer in a bar.

It is reported that he punched a 31-year old man. The man later died from the trauma to the head.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Imprisoned

A 32-year-old former karate instructor has been given 12.5 years for having sex with two young female students at a karate school in in North Royalton, Ohio according to kissfm965.com.

According to prosecutors, the Brunswick man started having sex with a 14-year-old girl in August 2006.