Update, December 27:
Prosecutors recently filed rape charges against the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist according to media reports.
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Japan -- A 33-year-old retired double Olympic judo gold medalist has been fired from his position as a university coach for sexually harassing a female student, according to sports.yahoo.com.
The man, who won the 66kg title at the Olympics in 2004 as well as 2008, announced his retirement from competition in October 2010 and became a visiting professor at Kyushu University.
The university stated that the man gave the student alcohol - she is allegedly under legal drinking age in Japan (20) - and harassed her sexually in September.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Athlete Suspended
Colorado -- A 20-year-old taekwondo fighter has been suspended for two years by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine at a tournament in San Jose, California, back in July.
You can read more on this story at: sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
You can read more on this story at: sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Drunken Attack
New Zealand -- A fighter who won a world title in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2006,was reportedly not proud of the fact that he hit a man twice his age and breaking his teeth in the process, according to stuff.co.nz.
A court was told how the 23-year-old defendant was drunk in a New Plymouth bar, about 1:20 a.m. on October 2 when he punched a nearby man (aged 49) and chipping his teeth in an unprovoked attack.
A court was told how the 23-year-old defendant was drunk in a New Plymouth bar, about 1:20 a.m. on October 2 when he punched a nearby man (aged 49) and chipping his teeth in an unprovoked attack.
Robber Picks Wrong Hotel
California -- Below is a surveillance video from a hotel in Los Angeles. It shows a 31-year-old would-be robber being taken down and held by two MMA fighters from Eugene, Oregon.
The two Good Samaritans were guests at the hotel and had been to a martial arts tournament in the city when they came out of the lift and encountered the robbery in progress.
They both sprang into action when they heard the clerk's cry for help. After a few moments of tussle, they were able to take the gun-wielding robber to the floor. The robber was held there until police arrived.
The two MMA fighters reportedly received lots of well deserved praise from police. Kudos to you guys!
The two Good Samaritans were guests at the hotel and had been to a martial arts tournament in the city when they came out of the lift and encountered the robbery in progress.
They both sprang into action when they heard the clerk's cry for help. After a few moments of tussle, they were able to take the gun-wielding robber to the floor. The robber was held there until police arrived.
The two MMA fighters reportedly received lots of well deserved praise from police. Kudos to you guys!
"Sexting" Taekwondo Teacher
Arizona -- A 24-year-old taekwondo teacher from Mesa has been jailed following a sexting sting, police said.
The man, who according to kpho.com was a 12-year-old girl's instructor, allegedly began sending the girl nude photos of himself to her cell phone.
Following the arrest across on October 27, Gilbert police said the man admitted to sending naked images of himself to the young girl's cell phone.
The man, who according to kpho.com was a 12-year-old girl's instructor, allegedly began sending the girl nude photos of himself to her cell phone.
Following the arrest across on October 27, Gilbert police said the man admitted to sending naked images of himself to the young girl's cell phone.
Karateka Died
India -- In what was called a tragic accident, a karate fighter from Jharkhand reportedly died minutes after winning the National Championship in Pune.
The black belt competitor allegedly complained of chest pain after a blow from an opponent during the competitions. Despite the injury, the victim went on to win the title, according to daily.bhaskar.com.
The fighter collapsed minutes after winning the tournament and died on the way to hospital.
The black belt competitor allegedly complained of chest pain after a blow from an opponent during the competitions. Despite the injury, the victim went on to win the title, according to daily.bhaskar.com.
The fighter collapsed minutes after winning the tournament and died on the way to hospital.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Taekwondo Official Detained
China -- Just months before the upcoming Olympics, a 51-year-old Chinese taekwondo official has been held on suspicion of corruption, according to google.com.
Chinese officials have not released details of the accusations and the arrest, and the sports ministry said it did not know the reason for suspect's detention.
Chinese officials have not released details of the accusations and the arrest, and the sports ministry said it did not know the reason for suspect's detention.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Murder Charge
Israel -- A 45-year-old assistant to the military attache at the Peruvian Embassy in Tel Aviv has been beaten to death, and a 24-year-old man has been accused of murdering the man on September 18.
It is alleged that the accused had planned to kill the victim after the victim allegedly was having a sexual relation with the accused man's 20-year-old girlfriend.
Jpost.com reports that the accused is skilled in the art of Wing Chun, and that he used his martial arts skills to beat the victim to death.
It is alleged that the accused had planned to kill the victim after the victim allegedly was having a sexual relation with the accused man's 20-year-old girlfriend.
Jpost.com reports that the accused is skilled in the art of Wing Chun, and that he used his martial arts skills to beat the victim to death.
MMA Fighter Arrested Again
Minnesota -- The 30-year-old heavyweight MMA fighter from Apple Valley who pleaded guilty in September to assaulting his wife, has arrested again on an outstanding warrant.
A warrant for the man's arrest was issued after he failed to comply with conditions of his pre-sentence release, according to applevalley.patch.com.
A warrant for the man's arrest was issued after he failed to comply with conditions of his pre-sentence release, according to applevalley.patch.com.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Accused: Karate Teacher
Georgia -- A karate teacher has been accused by police of sexual battery on a minor in Marietta, according to mdjonline.com.
Police alleges the man cupped the groin of a juvenile while teaching the girl karate along with a group of other children. This conduct is alleged to have occurred on more than one occasion.
Police alleges the man cupped the groin of a juvenile while teaching the girl karate along with a group of other children. This conduct is alleged to have occurred on more than one occasion.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Judo Instructor, 71, Arrested
Canada -- Believing there may be more victims, police have arrested and charged a 71-year-old judo instructor with sexually assaulting a female student on a number of occasions, according to thestar.com.
Police in Toronto allege the man sexually assaulted the student, a teenager at the time, at the judo club from the mid-1980s until the early 1990s.
Police in Toronto allege the man sexually assaulted the student, a teenager at the time, at the judo club from the mid-1980s until the early 1990s.
Kung Fu Teacher Pleads Not Guilty
California -- A Fremont kung fu instructor and school owner, aged 48, has pleaded not guilty to three felony child molest charges, according to mercurynews.com.
The defendant was arrested September 23 at a Houston, Texas airport, after leaving the country when he became aware of police investigating the case.
The man is accused of molesting two female minors who were students at his martial arts school.
Anything to add to this case or similar ones? Feel free to add your comment below.
The defendant was arrested September 23 at a Houston, Texas airport, after leaving the country when he became aware of police investigating the case.
The man is accused of molesting two female minors who were students at his martial arts school.
Anything to add to this case or similar ones? Feel free to add your comment below.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Judo Instructor Guilty
Even though a staggering number of complaints have emerged for years regarding dangerous teaching activities in Japanese school judo - nothing has apparently come out of it ... until now. Here's an article from google.com (feel free to comment below):
Japan -- A Japanese court on Wednesday found a martial arts instructor guilty over the death of a six-year-old boy, a court official said, in the first criminal case over judo training in Japan.
The Osaka District Court found the instructor guilty of causing the boy's death by repeatedly slamming him to the floor during training, ordering the defendant to pay a fine of one million yen ($13,000), the official said.
It is the first criminal case filed by Japanese prosecutors against judo trainers, according to a victims' group, despite over 100 child deaths blamed on harsh training or hazing between 1983 and 2010.
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Have your say about these judo related injuries and deaths in the comment field below. It appears this has to do mainly with inexperienced instructors and teachers. What's your point of view?
Japan -- A Japanese court on Wednesday found a martial arts instructor guilty over the death of a six-year-old boy, a court official said, in the first criminal case over judo training in Japan.
The Osaka District Court found the instructor guilty of causing the boy's death by repeatedly slamming him to the floor during training, ordering the defendant to pay a fine of one million yen ($13,000), the official said.
It is the first criminal case filed by Japanese prosecutors against judo trainers, according to a victims' group, despite over 100 child deaths blamed on harsh training or hazing between 1983 and 2010.
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Have your say about these judo related injuries and deaths in the comment field below. It appears this has to do mainly with inexperienced instructors and teachers. What's your point of view?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Closing Martial Arts Schools
When martial arts businesses are closing down with little or no warning, it puts a bad name on the martial arts community as a whole and students and parents alike are left in the dust.
What is even worse is that some of these closed schools is down to criminal activities of the operators, or quarrels and disagreements among instructors and owners - often times "political" issues over power, control or money.
The following two cases are recent examples:
South Dakota -- A Sioux Falls martial arts school abruptly closed its doors Monday morning. Now, the owner of the school and parents of students taking lessons are accusing each other of wrongdoing.
Each side says the other took money and failed to live up to various obligations. And it's the kids who are being caught in the middle of a very different kind of fight.
The first word many parents of those students received about this dispute was notice during the school day that the vehicle that normally picks up their children to take them to classes wouldn't be showing up.
The Elite Martial Arts Academy was officially formed on August 1. Back in April, when it was called the Sioux Falls Martial Arts Academy, owner Tom Werner asked for $35 membership fees for students to join USA Taekwondo.
That membership allows kids to travel to national competitions. But according to former instructors, as well as some parents, those applications haven't been processed more than five months later.
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South Carolina -- When a Boiling Springs mom went to drop off her children at a popular martial arts business last Thursday she found a sign on the door that said "no more classes."
The woman (...) says she paid $1,132 to All-American Martial Arts Center in Boiling Springs on August 31. The money was paid as a six-month advance, but she says her children received only two and a half weeks of classes before the place closed.
The woman says another mother at the facility told her, "The owner's been arrested, and they're closing, and I said wait a minute. I just paid for six months! ... I paid in full.
Spartanburg County deputies did arrest (the owner) on August 16 and charged him with 2nd degree burglary, petite larceny and obtaining goods under false pretenses. Deputies say (the owner) stole jewelry from the home of one of his clients and later pawned it.
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What's your take on situations like this? Any experiences about martial arts businesses closing down you care to share with the rest of us? Feel free to comment below!
What is even worse is that some of these closed schools is down to criminal activities of the operators, or quarrels and disagreements among instructors and owners - often times "political" issues over power, control or money.
The following two cases are recent examples:
South Dakota -- A Sioux Falls martial arts school abruptly closed its doors Monday morning. Now, the owner of the school and parents of students taking lessons are accusing each other of wrongdoing.
Each side says the other took money and failed to live up to various obligations. And it's the kids who are being caught in the middle of a very different kind of fight.
The first word many parents of those students received about this dispute was notice during the school day that the vehicle that normally picks up their children to take them to classes wouldn't be showing up.
The Elite Martial Arts Academy was officially formed on August 1. Back in April, when it was called the Sioux Falls Martial Arts Academy, owner Tom Werner asked for $35 membership fees for students to join USA Taekwondo.
That membership allows kids to travel to national competitions. But according to former instructors, as well as some parents, those applications haven't been processed more than five months later.
----
South Carolina -- When a Boiling Springs mom went to drop off her children at a popular martial arts business last Thursday she found a sign on the door that said "no more classes."
The woman (...) says she paid $1,132 to All-American Martial Arts Center in Boiling Springs on August 31. The money was paid as a six-month advance, but she says her children received only two and a half weeks of classes before the place closed.
The woman says another mother at the facility told her, "The owner's been arrested, and they're closing, and I said wait a minute. I just paid for six months! ... I paid in full.
Spartanburg County deputies did arrest (the owner) on August 16 and charged him with 2nd degree burglary, petite larceny and obtaining goods under false pretenses. Deputies say (the owner) stole jewelry from the home of one of his clients and later pawned it.
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What's your take on situations like this? Any experiences about martial arts businesses closing down you care to share with the rest of us? Feel free to comment below!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Cage Fight and Children?
All though there are some things that were not good decisions about the two young lads fighting, one really has to wonder if the sensation seeking press has totally lost their collective marble...
Yes, the fight was held inside a one of the cages used for cage fighting, and yes it was during an MMA event. But had the half-wits of the press done any basic research they would have discovered that A. this was not an MMA fight, and B. not a "cage fight".
In fact it was nothing worse than a regular wrestling, grappling, judo or BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) match - something children all over the world are doing with great success day in and day out.
Yes, the setting and arrangement around this "cage match" should definitely not been handled the way it turned out. But one should also hope that the nitwit press representatives and the sensation seekers (some of which probably want children to wear a helmet indoors to avoid being hurt - poor things...) could refrain from talking about things of which they have absolutely no frigging clue what so ever.
Am I a great fan of young children fighting? Nope. How about MMA? I do find some parts of that questionable as well. Still I do find passages like the ones below (from said newspaper) very offensive and totally laughable really:
"The spectacle of grown men punching the life out of each other in public was stomach-churning enough. But the behaviour of the crowd as two young schoolboys were led into the cage set up in the centre of the dingy room, was sickening to the extreme."
"As the boys began to pummel each other into submission, the baying chants of the 450 adults could be heard in the streets beyond."
For your information - this was a grappling match - no punches or kicks to be seen anywhere...
"Footage of that awful fight, which had all the aggressive hallmarks of a backstreet brawl, provoked a wave of outrage this week when it surfaced on the internet."
"(...)But the British Medical Association (BMA), the NSPCC and the charity Safechild have all reacted with fury, branding the spectacle 'disturbing and sick'. They are calling for a police and social services investigation. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also condemned the 'sport' as 'barbaric'."
Let's hear it - what's your take on these ill-informed representatives and sensation seekers of the press? Are there any hopes of educating reporters about what martial arts is about, and finally - what's your take on MMA fights and children fighting in particular?
Feel free to comment below.
Karate Business Fraud Scheme
In the following story from examiner.net, you can read more about a local karate business owner who, according to prosecutors, is leading the largest false tax claims case ever prosecuted in the state.
The 46-year-old suspect, reportedly maintained an office and karate studio in Blue Springs.
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Missouri -- U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips announced Thursday through her office that 16 defendants - five from the Kansas City area - were charged in the tax fraud scheme, which spanned from July 1, 2008 to September 21, 2011.
Phillips called Kansas City the center of the operation, one that reached as far east as Georgia and as far west as California.
"Kansas City was the hub of a nationwide conspiracy that attempted to receive nearly $100 million in fraudulent tax refunds," Phillips said in a press release.
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So, let's hear it from you - what's your take on this tax return fraud scheme? Any thoughts on karate business owners in general or this person in particular?
The 46-year-old suspect, reportedly maintained an office and karate studio in Blue Springs.
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Missouri -- U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips announced Thursday through her office that 16 defendants - five from the Kansas City area - were charged in the tax fraud scheme, which spanned from July 1, 2008 to September 21, 2011.
Phillips called Kansas City the center of the operation, one that reached as far east as Georgia and as far west as California.
"Kansas City was the hub of a nationwide conspiracy that attempted to receive nearly $100 million in fraudulent tax refunds," Phillips said in a press release.
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So, let's hear it from you - what's your take on this tax return fraud scheme? Any thoughts on karate business owners in general or this person in particular?
Friday, September 23, 2011
Not What it Appeared to Be
Update, October 16:
Newsinfo.inquirer.net reports that local police has found several holes in the woman's claims and that they consider it a case of "fatal attraction".
Police said the allegations of the British-born woman were just "figments of her imagination," and that documentary evidence and medical tests had debunked her claims.
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Update, September 27:
Globalnation.inquirer.net reports that The mayor of Iloilo City demands an apology from the woman in the story below who claimed she had been held captive and made a sex slave in the Philippines.
The mayor reportedly said the British born woman had tarnished the image of the city and Ilonggos through her "baseless" allegations.
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The following story is sad and disgusting indeed, something which again shows the importance of doing proper background checks.
Philippines -- Au.news.yahoo.com had a story about a 39-year-old woman from New Zealand who said she was lured with a Facebook invitation to join a martial arts school in the Philippines - only to be robbed and forced into prostitution upon her arrival.
The martial arts enthusiast reportedly replied positively to an invitation to participate in an intense training camp in October.
"They were meant to be world class and I thought this was a chance for me to learn from the best," the woman said.
Feel free to comment on this story below. What is your take on invitations to training camps and the potential dangers? Is this an indication that we all too often take things at face value within the martial arts?
Newsinfo.inquirer.net reports that local police has found several holes in the woman's claims and that they consider it a case of "fatal attraction".
Police said the allegations of the British-born woman were just "figments of her imagination," and that documentary evidence and medical tests had debunked her claims.
----
Update, September 27:
Globalnation.inquirer.net reports that The mayor of Iloilo City demands an apology from the woman in the story below who claimed she had been held captive and made a sex slave in the Philippines.
The mayor reportedly said the British born woman had tarnished the image of the city and Ilonggos through her "baseless" allegations.
----
The following story is sad and disgusting indeed, something which again shows the importance of doing proper background checks.
Philippines -- Au.news.yahoo.com had a story about a 39-year-old woman from New Zealand who said she was lured with a Facebook invitation to join a martial arts school in the Philippines - only to be robbed and forced into prostitution upon her arrival.
The martial arts enthusiast reportedly replied positively to an invitation to participate in an intense training camp in October.
"They were meant to be world class and I thought this was a chance for me to learn from the best," the woman said.
Feel free to comment on this story below. What is your take on invitations to training camps and the potential dangers? Is this an indication that we all too often take things at face value within the martial arts?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ninja Warrior, at 87
Australia -- "I've always said to myself I'm not going to feel old until my hair goes grey," says 87-year-old Doreen Lanning from Penrith.
The frisky senior took up ninjitsu 16 months ago and she's is now training to become a ninja warrior, in spite of her age and two hip replacements, according to smh.com.au.
The frisky senior took up ninjitsu 16 months ago and she's is now training to become a ninja warrior, in spite of her age and two hip replacements, according to smh.com.au.
Charged With Indecent Assault
Pennsylvania -- A 13-year-old martial arts student was allegedly assaulted indecently by her karate instructor for over a year, according to state police and court documents.
The 52-year-old man has now been charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors, according to mcall.com. The man had a karate school in Lower Macungie Township.
Police started an investigation in May after the teenager told friends about the alleged assaults. These friends in return told her parents.
The 52-year-old man has now been charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors, according to mcall.com. The man had a karate school in Lower Macungie Township.
Police started an investigation in May after the teenager told friends about the alleged assaults. These friends in return told her parents.
Assault on Taekwondo Team
India -- Thirty-seven Jharkhand taekwondo students were on board the Moori Express when they tried to stop a large group of students - alleged to be hundreds - from harassing their female team members.
In the melee - where articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com reports that 11 girls were harassed by the large crowd - eight individuals, including six of the taekwondo students, received serious injuries.
In the melee - where articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com reports that 11 girls were harassed by the large crowd - eight individuals, including six of the taekwondo students, received serious injuries.
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