Wallisville, Texas -- Sue Diaz, a sixty-two year old retired schoolteacher, earned her karate black belt on Sunday, May 18.
She has been on the karate circuit in Texas and Las Vegas for the last four years, doing very well as a "senior" competitor.
The woman is actually the newest black belt in her family. Her husband Jesse, as well as children; Rodney and Sandy are all black belts and have competed for years.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Karate With Passion
Innerwestweekly.com.au reported about an Australian black belt couple who have been teaching karate to visually-impaired and blind people since 2001.
Now, the married couple - Miklos and Nora Farago - have won a Vision Australia's Making a Difference Awards for their work.
They say that as well as improving participants' fitness levels, the karate training improves awareness of spatial concepts and posture.
Now, the married couple - Miklos and Nora Farago - have won a Vision Australia's Making a Difference Awards for their work.
They say that as well as improving participants' fitness levels, the karate training improves awareness of spatial concepts and posture.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ninja Counselor
Plastic sword carrying, ninja camp counselor in karate gi, running late through woods :-)
Story:
New Jersey -- Five schools in Barnegat township were briefly locked down Wednesday because someone claimed to have seen a man dressed as a ninja, carrying a large sword, running through the woods near an elementary school, according to myfoxny.com.
However, the person -- dressed in a karate gi and carrying a plastic sword -- was actually a camp counselor heading to a costume party.
Story:
New Jersey -- Five schools in Barnegat township were briefly locked down Wednesday because someone claimed to have seen a man dressed as a ninja, carrying a large sword, running through the woods near an elementary school, according to myfoxny.com.
However, the person -- dressed in a karate gi and carrying a plastic sword -- was actually a camp counselor heading to a costume party.
What Did You Sai?
A sai as a concealed "weapon"? Dang, this guy have been watching way too many Ninja Turtles episodes :-)
Story:
Maine -- Police have arrested a 22-year-old Waterville man on a charge of being in possession of a sai, a sword-type (sic.) tool and weapon used in martial arts training.
The man was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. He was also violating the conditions of release by being in the company of a person with whom he was not allowed contact.
Story:
Maine -- Police have arrested a 22-year-old Waterville man on a charge of being in possession of a sai, a sword-type (sic.) tool and weapon used in martial arts training.
The man was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. He was also violating the conditions of release by being in the company of a person with whom he was not allowed contact.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sent to Prison
New York -- A 50-year-old Niagara man will spend the next five years in prison, niagara-gazette.com reports.
The 50-year-o former karate instructor pleaded guilty to a single charge of first-degree sexual abuse, while he was originally charged with predatory sexual assault against a child and first-degree criminal sexual act.
The mane was arrested in October and accused of having oral sex with the boy at his home in August. The boy was 6-years-old at the time and had been a student at the man's Niagara karate school.
The 50-year-o former karate instructor pleaded guilty to a single charge of first-degree sexual abuse, while he was originally charged with predatory sexual assault against a child and first-degree criminal sexual act.
The mane was arrested in October and accused of having oral sex with the boy at his home in August. The boy was 6-years-old at the time and had been a student at the man's Niagara karate school.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Defecting Judoka
Florida -- On May 11, the last day of competition at the Pan American Championships in Miami, Laborde, Yurisel Laborde - the Cuban favorite to win a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, missed that chance when she left her judo delegation.
The 28-year old Olympian made her decision for a better life, according to miamiherald.com. After defecting two weeks ago in Miami, the top judo player is now ready to start her new life in the United States.
The 28-year old Olympian made her decision for a better life, according to miamiherald.com. After defecting two weeks ago in Miami, the top judo player is now ready to start her new life in the United States.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Age Is no Barrier
At the age of 68, Sheila Thurlow's recently passed the physical examination for the fourth Dan black belt in shotokan karate, according to newsshopper.co.uk
The examination was conducted by her son Kevin Thurlow and a panel of other senior instructors.
The veteran, who was tested at the English shotokan-ryu karate kyokai in Sidcup, has demonstrated age is no barrier and provides inspiration to other pensioners and even younger adults.
Her son Kevin, who recently was voted chairman of Britain's traditional governing body of karate, expressed his delight at her achievement.
The woman started training 20 years ago and claimed her first black belt at the age of 53.
She continues to train in both karate and kobudo at her son's dojo in Sidcup as well as teaching at her own dojo in Bexleyheath.
The examination was conducted by her son Kevin Thurlow and a panel of other senior instructors.
The veteran, who was tested at the English shotokan-ryu karate kyokai in Sidcup, has demonstrated age is no barrier and provides inspiration to other pensioners and even younger adults.
Her son Kevin, who recently was voted chairman of Britain's traditional governing body of karate, expressed his delight at her achievement.
The woman started training 20 years ago and claimed her first black belt at the age of 53.
She continues to train in both karate and kobudo at her son's dojo in Sidcup as well as teaching at her own dojo in Bexleyheath.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
BJJ Rapist
UK -- A 24-year-old female TV presenter was raped and brutally injured in central London in March, according to people.co.uk
A 31-year-old BJJ fighter (called an MMA "expert" by media) from Romford, Essex, is charged with rape and assault causing actual bodily harm.
A 31-year-old BJJ fighter (called an MMA "expert" by media) from Romford, Essex, is charged with rape and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Ponzi Scheme
Desmoinesregister.com reports about the former Indianola, Iowa karate teacher who has now been indicted by a federal grand jury over an alleged, so called 'Ponzi scheme'.
The indictement accuses the 51-year-old man of "carrying out a fraudulent investment operation wherein he offered abnormally high returns to entice investors and then, rather than investing the money so obtained, he used it for personal purposes and perpetrated the scheme by paying initial investors with money obtained from subsequent investors."
The indictement accuses the 51-year-old man of "carrying out a fraudulent investment operation wherein he offered abnormally high returns to entice investors and then, rather than investing the money so obtained, he used it for personal purposes and perpetrated the scheme by paying initial investors with money obtained from subsequent investors."
Three-Year Contracts
A three-year contract about karate training a five year old child? And for how much?
Story:
An Atlantic Beach, Florida woman has filed a police report, according to firstcoastnews.com. The mother is stating she's been the victim of forgery regarding a contract with a karate school.
Contesting the three year contract, the woman says she never signed any papers.
The karate school is reportedly holding her to a contract for karate lessons for her five year old son. It is reported the balance for the three year contract is $5,400.00.
Story:
An Atlantic Beach, Florida woman has filed a police report, according to firstcoastnews.com. The mother is stating she's been the victim of forgery regarding a contract with a karate school.
Contesting the three year contract, the woman says she never signed any papers.
The karate school is reportedly holding her to a contract for karate lessons for her five year old son. It is reported the balance for the three year contract is $5,400.00.
Friday, June 13, 2008
A Cult Comedy
This movie - "The Foot Fist Way" - seems to be a thing that I need to get a look at. The film, featuring Danny R. McBride, is allegedly very funny.
While it's already an underground hit, the movie is just to be released at theaters in the US.
With all the serious stuff going on around us, I figure we all need a good laugh from time to time :-)
While it's already an underground hit, the movie is just to be released at theaters in the US.
With all the serious stuff going on around us, I figure we all need a good laugh from time to time :-)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Fed-Up Hospital Worker
Saudi Arabia -- In Madinah, a receptionist at a private hospital allegedly got fed up with an irate woman. The Filipino receptionist used her karate background to subdue the other woman.
Police intervened, according to reports and the two combatants were taken to a police station, according to arabnews.com.
Police intervened, according to reports and the two combatants were taken to a police station, according to arabnews.com.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Arrested Again
Texas -- After failing to register as a sex offender, a 44-year-old former MMA fighter was arrested in Denison by the Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshals.
Kxii.com says the man allegedly was convicted in 1999 in Colorado for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old.
Kxii.com says the man allegedly was convicted in 1999 in Colorado for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
And Up it Goes Again...
I don't want you to miss out on this, so I'll bump this post up from time to time.
Make sure you check it out the free resources at The Martial Arts Vault as soon as possible!
Once inside The Vault you will find lots and lots of free, cool and very useful (as in educational) stuff about self-defense and the martial arts.
You may also find the occasional rebates to my e-books etc in addition to the free things. Enjoy!
Make sure you check it out the free resources at The Martial Arts Vault as soon as possible!
Once inside The Vault you will find lots and lots of free, cool and very useful (as in educational) stuff about self-defense and the martial arts.
You may also find the occasional rebates to my e-books etc in addition to the free things. Enjoy!
Martial Arts Save Boy
Canada -- Bclocalnews.com reports about a 9-year-old boy who used his martial arts skills to escape a man who grabbed him.
The kid broke free and sent the man to to the ground and then the limping off with a kick to his knee.
Great going, kid!
The kid broke free and sent the man to to the ground and then the limping off with a kick to his knee.
Great going, kid!
An Alford Plea
Virginia -- Dailypress.com reports about a 60-year-old Newport News karate teacher who was charged with attempted sexual battery (and later assault) in September 2006.
A 15-year-old girl, employed at the man's karate academy, initially accused him of trying to kiss her.
In February 2008 the case was dismissed, after the man entered an Alford Plea on an assault charge in February 2007.
A 15-year-old girl, employed at the man's karate academy, initially accused him of trying to kiss her.
In February 2008 the case was dismissed, after the man entered an Alford Plea on an assault charge in February 2007.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Brandons Third Nationals
To me, it's inspirational stories like this that really drives home the message about the true value of martial arts.
Story:
Four years after taking up karate, 12 year-old Brandon Earnshaw will compete in his third consecutive National Karate-Do Federation championship, according to timesfreepress.com.
Big deal, you say? Well, it is if you happen to be autistic like Brandon, and given the fact that when he took up the art four years ago, he couldn't stand on one foot without losing his balance and falling.
Story:
Four years after taking up karate, 12 year-old Brandon Earnshaw will compete in his third consecutive National Karate-Do Federation championship, according to timesfreepress.com.
Big deal, you say? Well, it is if you happen to be autistic like Brandon, and given the fact that when he took up the art four years ago, he couldn't stand on one foot without losing his balance and falling.
Need a Friend
Do you need a friend? If so, then maybe you should consider contacting this Wearside (UK) man who is serving an 11-year prison sentence for a samurai sword attack in 2003.
According to sunderlandecho.com, the 27-year-old man has posted a "lonely heart-style advert" on the Internet, where he is appealing for would-be pen pals to get in touch.
According to sunderlandecho.com, the 27-year-old man has posted a "lonely heart-style advert" on the Internet, where he is appealing for would-be pen pals to get in touch.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Taekwondo Smugglers
California -- It is alleged that at least six people were brought to the U.S. and forced to work at two nursing homes in Long Beach, according to latimes.com.
The workers were recruited in the Philippines promising legitimate employment in the U.S. A 39-year-old taekwondo instructor would designate the recruits to be his "students" - traveling to USA to participate in martial arts competitions.
The instructor reportedly taught the group just enough taekwondo moves and terminology to fool immigration officials.
The workers were recruited in the Philippines promising legitimate employment in the U.S. A 39-year-old taekwondo instructor would designate the recruits to be his "students" - traveling to USA to participate in martial arts competitions.
The instructor reportedly taught the group just enough taekwondo moves and terminology to fool immigration officials.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
73 And a 2 Dan
Pennsylvania -- Spending time with her grandson ... that's why 73-year-old Jeannie O'Connor took up karate in the first place, according to wfmz.com.
Her grandson dropped out, but not this Oklahoma grandmother. She is now a 2. dan black belt and she figures she may earn her 5. dan by the age of 85.
Way to go mam!
Her grandson dropped out, but not this Oklahoma grandmother. She is now a 2. dan black belt and she figures she may earn her 5. dan by the age of 85.
Way to go mam!
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