Total Martial Arts News

Rio Olympics 2016: Taekwondo's golden girls set to shine at World Grand Prix

2015-10-06T13:06:00.000+01:00

Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden lead Great Britain squad for the World Taekwondo Federation World Grand Prix in Manchester this month

Olympic champion Jade Jones and World gold medallist Bianca Walkden head up Great Britain’s squad for the World Taekwondo Federation World Grand Prix in Manchester from October 16-18.

GB Performance Director Gary Hall has named 16 athletes – including six wild cards – for the final competitive outing on home soil before next summer’s Rio Olympic Games.

World Championship silver and bronze medallists, Damon Sansum and Wigan’s Rachelle Booth, plus European Games winner, Charlie Maddock also get their latest opportunity to impress.

London 2012 poster girl Jones has already qualified the -57kg spot for her country but the world number one is looking for a rare victory in front of a Manchester crowd.

She finished with bronze at the 2012 European Championships and has two silver medals to show for her previous Grand Prix appearances in the city.

But after victory last time out at the Grand Prix in Samsun, Turkey, the 22-year-old is hungry for more success. And the GB chief believes his Newton Heath-trained squad can use the home crowd at the Regional Arena on the Etihad Campus to its advantage.

“The atmosphere will be like a cauldron so I am looking forward to some great performances because the team is in a good vein of form,” said Hall.

“There is added pressure as it is on home soil but it is great preparation for Rio. We have got one of the strongest squads in the world and once we get them into the Grand Prix arena they go out and give it their all. And they will be in front of the Manchester crowd.

“We are looking to them to give us that additional boost and drive. It is a passionate taekwondo crowd and we hope it will happen again this time.”

Heavyweight Mahama Cho and London 2012 bronze medallist Lutalo Muhammad struck gold when Manchester hosted the inaugural Grand Prix in 2013.

Welsh star Jones won silver but was Britain’s only medal winner at last year’s Manchester World Grand Prix.

“That’s sometimes how sport plays out,” added Hall. “We had four quarter-finalists and some very close matches which shows the level of competition.

“There will be top players in every category so it will be a tough challenge. But our athletes will love that.

“This tournament is important on so many fronts. Jade has qualified for a spot at -57kg for Rio but it is still very close in some categories.

“The athletes are also fighting for the future as these ranking points will carry over into the next Olympic cycle. So, for the wilds cards we’ve selected, it is important for them to make a mark so they can get into next year’s Grand Prix.

“Our team did extremely well at the last Grand Prix in Turkey, particularly the girls who smashed it.

“Now, it’s Manchester and the team is really up for it. It is going to be a massive three days for us.”

Original article:http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/rio-olympics-2016-taekwondos-golden-10201655

Pioneering Grandmaster Looking To Bring Tae Kwon Do Unity

2015-10-06T13:02:00.000+01:00

Is the Unification of ITF and WTF Taekwondo Possible?

Grandmaster Han Sam Soo (centre of picture), one of the pioneers of Tae kwon do, who had introduced the martial art to Jamaica in 1974, said the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which recognises the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), should once and for all "reach a compromise" to accept the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) into its fold.

Han, 71, was recently honoured by ITF-affiliated Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association at a ceremony in Mandeville, Manchester. Now retired and living in Canada for the last 26 years, Han was sent to Jamaica four decades ago by the founder of tae kwon do, the late General Choi Hong Hi, who was born in Korea before the North-South divide.

Han, also a Korean, spent three years in Jamaica establishing tae kwon do, training early pioneers, now masters, Claude Chin and Peter Lue, but left in 1977 due to what he described as a "civil war".

"Otherwise, I would have stayed. I like Jamaica. During this visit, I see Jamaica has not changed, very happy and relaxed," he said.

FORMER STUDENTS

He was elated to see his former students upholding the principles of 'tae kwon', "foot and hand technique to defend yourself and others", and , 'do', "the way of life based on the tenets of tae kwon do - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit".

However, Han was visibly sad that the martial arts General Choi founded in 1955, split into three different ITFs plus the WTF.

"The WTF was started in 1973 in South Korea after General Choi left the country for political reasons. General Choi was born in Korea when it was one Korea, but went to Japan to study. He joined the Japanese army then the South Korean army," Han explained.

"When General Choi moved from South Korea to Canada with the ITF, South Korea decided to call themselves World Taekwondo Federation, just to kill the general's organisation," he pointed out.

WTF-style tae kwon do debuted as a demonstration sport at the Seoul 1982 Olympics in South Korea, embraced by the IOC, and has remained an Olympic event since, closing the door on the origins of the sport, ITF-style tae kwon do.

"WTF should have used a different name. It's like calling a beer a whiskey, saying it's the same alcohol. The IOC knows ITF is the original tae kwon do but are holding hands for profit. We have to make a compromise and change the rules. All they are doing is slowly copying the ITF style," he pointed out.

"However, money and politics talk. The WTF is controlled by South Korea. General Choi and myself had met a few times with Juan Samaranch. He knew but didn't want to recognise ITF because of money and politics," Han added.

The late Samaranch served as the seventh president of the IOC from 1980 to 2001.

Meanwhile, General Choi's ITF splintered into three groups shortly before and after his 2002 death. One is located in North Korea, where he had gone in 1980 and had started teaching the art in 1981. This was much to the displeasure of his son, Choi Jung Hwa, who, after his father's death, started his own ITF, now headquartered in the United Kingdom.

The third piece of the ITF puzzle, based in Alicante, Spain, to which the Jamaica Taekwon-do Association is affiliated, was explained by Han as General Choi's then vice-president, Pablo Trajtenberg, being elevated to president, "western people who wanted to stay out of the politics", he added.

HAN'S RETURN

Now a travelling statesman in tae kwon do, Han returned from a 10-year hiatus after Choi's death to join forces with the general's son's ITF as an advisor.

However, he said he is open to "help any member of ITF". "I will go anywhere to help tae kwon do," he said.

Han is also an advisor to the 36-member council Global Taekwon-Do Federation International (GTFI), headquartered in Malaysia. Its members are from 20 countries including USA, Spain, Armenia, Russia, Canada, Malaysia and others.

GTFI is a professional tae kwon do body formed to bring all tae kwon do groups together without politics or other restrictions, which, its website said, "has destroyed many tae kwon do organisations.

"We are waiting to make one banner, have one big world championships," Han said, with, at last, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Original Article: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20151005/pioneering-grandmaster-looking-bring-tae-kwon-do-unity

Ju jitsu and The Suffragettes: How they fought back using martial arts

2015-10-06T10:03:00.000+01:00

How The Suffragettes taught themselves Ju Jitsu

The film Suffragette, which is due for release, portrays the struggle by British women to win the vote. They were exposed to violence and intimidation as their campaign became more militant. So they taught themselves the martial art of jiu-jitsu.

Edith Garrud was a tiny woman. Measuring 4ft 11in (150cm) in height she appeared no match for the officers of the Metropolitan Police - required to be at least 5ft 10in (178cm) tall at the time. But she had a secret weapon.

In the run-up to World War One, Garrud became a jiu-jitsu instructor to the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), better known as the suffragettes, taking part in an increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.

Sick of the lack of progress, they resorted to civil disobedience, marches and illegal activities including assault and arson.

The struggle in the years before the war became increasingly bitter. Women were arrested and, when they went on hunger strike, were force-fed using rubber tubes. While out on marches, many complained of being manhandled and knocked to the ground. Things took a darker turn after "Black Friday" on 18 November 1910.

A group of around 300 suffragettes met a wall of policemen outside Parliament. Heavily outnumbered, the women were assaulted by both police and male vigilantes in the crowd. Many sustained serious injuries and two women died as a result. More than 100 suffragettes were arrested.

"A lot said they had been groped by the police and male bystanders," says Elizabeth Crawford, author of The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide. "After that, women didn't go to these demonstrations unprepared."

Some started putting cardboard over their ribs for protection. But Garrud was already teaching the WSPU to fight back. Her chosen method was the ancient Japanese martial art of jiu-jitsu. It emphasised using the attacker's force against them, channelling their momentum and targeting their pressure points.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34425615

By Camila Ruz & Justin ParkinsonBBC News Magazine

Martial Arts Summer Camp For Kids

2015-08-01T16:15:00.000+01:00

SUMMER camp with a twist came to Worcester in July as children enjoyed a mix of exciting martial arts activities.

Participants "absolutely loved" the sessions - which featured elements of karate, kickboxing and boxing as well as fighting with bo staff weapons - at St Mark's Church hall in Orchard Street.

The special day was organised by Worcester Martial Arts and Fitness, which specialises in giving boys and girls aged four to 12 a taster of martial arts in a safe environment led by qualified instructors.

Steve Nettleford, chief instructor, said: "All of the children absolutely loved it.

"The sessions went really well and - by combining martial arts with sports activities and fun games - it was great fun.

"We aim to provide something for every child and to ensure they all go home saying 'wow, that was cool'.

"And we've got lots of ideas to make the sessions even better."

Worcester Martial Arts and Fitness provides weekly family kickboxing, boxing and 'little ninjas' classes at St Mark's Church hall.

Anyone interested in attending should visit worcesterkarate.co.uk or call Mr Nettleford on 07538 926175.Another summer camp will be held on Tuesday, August 25, from 10am to 3pm.

Martial Arts Insurance Fraudsters Avoid Jail

2015-08-01T16:09:00.000+01:00

A couple who
fraudulently claimed at least £17,000 after lying to parents that the Tiger Martial Arts Academy they ran was properly insured, have narrowly avoided jail.

Cash-strapped Jenifer Duncan and Joanne Fuller failed to ensure that the community centre in Aylesbury from where they ran classes, had the proper indemnity insurance needed in case any of the children left in their care had an accident.

A court heard the pair had told parents whose children attended classes appropriate insurance was in place.

They further lied on leaflets and flyers advertising classes, by stating all staff had undergone full criminal records background checks, when none of them had been assessed.

Andrew Kendall, prosecuting, told Amersham Crown Court the majority of parents would have refused to send their children to the classes had they known no insurance or CRB checks were in place.

He said the lowest amount the pair would have falsely claimed due to their lies was £17,388, based on the smallest average class size and the lowest total they charged to parents.

Mr Kendall added however that, based on the highest average class sizes and the largest amounts Duncan and Fuller charged to parents, the figure could be as high as £48,438. He told the court: “The prosecution can’t put a specific figure on it.”

He said no insurance was in place at the community centre for over a year after the previous policy expired. Fuller, aged 50 years, taught some of the classes while wheelchair-bound Duncan, aged 41 years, was involved in the administration of the company, Tiger Martial Arts.

Mr Kendall told the court: “Over a period of around one year, both defendants falsely represented to the local authority and parents of children who attended their classes they had a policy of indemnity insurance to cover injuries that may occur during classes.

“Over two years they said all instructors had the relevant checks from the criminal records bureau. These representations were repeated to many parents. The CRB representations were included in the leaflets and adverts for the classes. They were both false and dishonest.

“Initially the couple had appropriate insurance. It is apparent that that insurance expired and they then provided a document saying they were covered. The local authority contacted the provider, who said the document had been forged.”

After trading standards officers became involved, the pair were prosecuted and they admitted three counts of fraud by false representation.

The couple still run the club and Steven Garrett, defending, said: “Some of the parents were quite happy to allow their children to continue attending the classes after the insurance was renewed.

“It is almost impossible to put a financial figure on this - once you take into consideration the various expenses, it’s an artificial figure. The figures are hypothetical.”

He added the leaflets that falsely alluded to instructors having received CRB checks came from a parent franchise company the couple had bought the lease from and they continued to use the flyers they had been given. Mr Garrett said there was “no legal requirement” for instructors to undergo the checks, although there is also no suggestion any of the instructors failed a test.

Mr Garrett said: “They have had significant financial difficulties in the past, which probably contributed to the commission of these offences.”

Judge John Cole told the pair: “I am sure the lion’s share of parents wouldn’t have allowed their children to join the class and pay had they known there was no insurance and instructors hadn’t been CRB checked. The result of these offences is children were put in your care doing a contact activity on the false representation there was insurance when there was not.

“This is a very dangerous thing to do. It’s not only dishonest, had one of those children had an accident in those classes they would have been uninsured.

“I take the view these offences were caused by chaotically bad administration. You started out legitimately insured but you let it lapse.

“I have just about been persuaded that a custodial sentence can be suspended, but believe me it’s been by a very narrow margin.”

Duncan and Fuller both had their nine month prison sentences suspended for 24 months. Both will also undergo supervision for 12 months and were ordered to pay £1,000 each in prosecution costs.

Fuller must also undergo 250 hours of unpaid work, while Duncan will be subject to a curfew order for three months.

The Problem With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.......

2015-07-31T17:08:00.000+01:00

Is BJJ Just The Same As Any Other Martial Art?

How many of you have been on the receiving end of abuse because you practice a martial art that gives you a black belt in around 3 or 4 years? Or accused you of being a joke because you do a form of martial art that isn't BJJ?

Has anyone smelt the hypocrisy that pervades the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

When the sport (yes, it is a sport) exploded onto the UK scene around 2007/8, the growth was phenomenal, and, along with MMA, BJJ became the fastest growing participant sport in the world.

With it came a long line of Brazilians starting up academies alongside those already established and soon everyone was getting into the new craze. BJJ became not just a sport, but a whole lifestyle for many of those practicing it.

Suddenly, if you did Karate or Taekwondo, you were a 'joke' and your club was nothing more than a McDojo out to rip you off and take your money off you for nothing more than a few lessons each month and a belt every 3 months that was 'worthless'.

Many traditional clubs opened their minds to expanding their offering, and many added BJJ and MMA to their syllabuses. Some made errors of judgement, and were subsequently shot down for basically trying to short circuited their credentials.

Lineage in BJJ is all important, and you have to be able to prove it. And that meant anyone who really was a Black Belt had really earned that privilege.

BJJ Is Just About The Money

Don't be fooled by the 'we are not in it for the money'! You hear them all the time, 'We only teach for the love', 'We are not in it for the money'.

I always remember one European club owner saying to me once about the problems in UK BJJ. He said, "The problem you have in BJJ in the UK is you have Brazilians involved."

And how right he was!

All that bollocks about not being interested in the money is just that, bollocks! The Brazilians, and, for that matter, 95% of all academy owners, are it it for one thing only, as much money as they can make from the people they teach and, worryingly, from those they buy their kit from.

If you want to deal with a BJJ Academy run by a Brazilian, then you will need deep pockets, because they will constantly demand a new Kimono to wear at each tournament they fight in. Then they will demand a free Kimono in exchange for buying your gear to sell to their students at inflated prices.

Want to sponsor that tournament coming up? Be prepared to dig deep to pay actual hard money for the advertising, mat sponsorship or to had a trade stand, hand over a number of uniforms to give away as prizes and, if you sell enough, even after paying for the trade stand, they will more than likely want a cut of the take!

One minute your gear is the best gear on the planet, until someone else comes along who can give the Academy owner an extra uniform, then watch as that allegiance switches!

And if giving gear away, as well as paying significant amounts to get your brand into major tournaments, you will have all those sponsored athletes suddenly demanding air fares, accommodation costs and entry fees to competitions held in all parts of this planet.

Having a bad time financially? Oh well, that won't bother them, they will just tout themselves to some other mugs who will think they have just hit pay-dirt n scooping a big 'star' or academy. They won't give a toss about all the free gear and financial assistance they have already had, they are like spoiled children, they want more and more.

Have a contract? Might as well wipe your backside with that, because they will just turn their back on any contract as soon as someone else stumps up the freebies.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is as corrupt as many of the traditional martial arts that they so despise, a real case of pot, kettle and black!

New Range of Wooden Boards from Breaking Boards UK

2015-07-17T12:07:00.000+01:00

Wooden Breaking Boards from Breaking Boards UK

Check out the newest kids on the martial arts block specialising in wooden breaking boards for martial arts.

Breaking Boards UK are offering 4 basic thickness boards:

0.8cm thick boards suitable for kids and beginners

1.2cm thick wooden boards which are great for older children and improving adult students

1.8cm martial arts boards that are ideal for higher grade adults

2.5cm (1 inch) break smash wooden boards that are designed for very experienced adults and Dan grades.

Sold in packs of ten boards, these offer all martial artists a great aid in measuring progress in the learning journey. Designed to show how technique, speed and power can be combined in a visually appealing demonstration that has that 'wow' factor and keeps students coming back to class to continue to train and improve.

Visit Breaking Boards UK and order your boards!

Martial Arts Maestro: Interview with a 15 Dan Expert (Part 1)

2014-07-27T18:35:00.002+01:00

We caught up with the World's only 15th Degree Martial Arts Expert, Dan Edgar, and asked him about his life in Martial Arts, and his journey to greatness, here is the first part of the interview:

TMAN: You really are a 15th Degree Black Belt?

DE: Yes, as you can see, it says so on this belt, here, look, 15 gold stripes.

TMAN: That is one big achievement, and probably the highest Black Belt grade ever, how many years has it taken to reach such a high grade?

DE: Oh, I have worked hard for this over the past 10 years, working my socks off at least twice a week, I have sweated blood to get this belt

TMAN: 10 years?

DE: Amazing eh? So many people give up after a couple of years, but you really have to stick at it if you want to get to the top

TMAN: So, what style do you practise?

DE: Style?

TMAN: Yes, is it Shotokan, or maybe Wado Ryu? Readers would love to know what it is you practise

DE: Oh, right, yeah, well, I practise with style twice a week, at least 2 weeks every month, unless I am a little under the weather, or it is a bit hot. I don't like it too cold either, you have to keep in shape, and too hot or cold is not good for you.

TMAN: Practise what style exactly?

DE: Oh, this and that. I do a lot of moves, a bit of up and down the hall, line work I think they call it. And I do some running as well. I hope to open my own clubs soon. But I do everything with style!

TMAN: Teaching what?

DE: My moves of course! People will be queueing up to train with the world's only 15th degree black belt. I'll make a load of dosh charging them to train with me, on a monthly direct debit, makes collecting the cash a lot easier.

TMAN: Yes, but you are not really explaining what the 'moves' are, or what martial art you are actually a 15th degree in!

DE: Oh, right, these are the moves (gets up and does some 'moves'), and this is the style I practise, (same moves demonstrated with some extra 'embellishments').

TMAN; Well, I am speechless

DE: Amazing eh?

TMAN: Truly amazing........So who actually awarded you the 15th degree belt?

DE: Awarded? I treated myself to it, bought it online and got it embroidered, great design isn't it? I love the 15 gold stripes, makes me look the part.

TMAN: You bought it? So, are you a 15th degree or not?

DE: Of course I am, look, it says so on this piece of paper, Dan Edgar, 15th Degree. It is amazing what you can do through vista print nowadays eh?

TMAN: You mean you bought the certificate yourself?

DE: Well, duh, yeah, what did you think? I stole it?

TMAN: Again, I am speechless

DE: Struck dumb by my awesomeness, it is understandable, so many are, and so many will be when I open my clubs and get them through the doors training my system and wearing my club gear...

Well, there you have it. Part 2 is equally awe inspiring, so book mark us for that!

Kids' karate instructor faces jail over child abuse images

2014-07-26T15:45:00.001+01:00

A kids' karate instructor is facing jail after being caught with nearly 3,000 images of child abuse.

David McAusland, 50, distributed the pictures to other paedophiles using special file-sharing software.

His files - one of which was disguised as a karate workout film - had been sent to other people over 100 times.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard 2,736 images and 39 videos were found on his tablet, computer and USB sticks. Sheriff Elizabeth Munro deferred sentence.

She said: "A custodial sentence is a distinct possibility."

The archives found at McAusland's home in South Road, Dundee, included images of children as young as six being abused.

McAusland, who taught martial arts to children aged five and up, pleaded guilty to downloading, possessing and distributing the images between May 2011 and September 2013.

Fiscal depute Douglas Wiseman told the court: "When he was interviewed by police, he initially admitted owning the computer equipment but denied accessing any pornographic sites.

"He later admitted downloading the images. He confirmed he was aware of the Copine scale used to measure the severity of images.

"He also confirmed that he had access to children at the karate and kickboxing clubs he was involved with."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-28491406

Half Price BJJ Clothing Sale at Black Eagle!

2014-07-17T17:03:00.000+01:00

Black Eagle are holding a massive 50% sale on all BJJ Clothing!

An unbelievable 50% OFF all BJJ clothing, including BJJ Gi, Rash Guards, Shorts and Spats.

Check out the following links to grab your bargain!

Page 1 of the BJJ Sale: http://www.black-eagle.co.uk/bjj/bjj-gi-and-clothing.html

Page 2 of the BJJ Sale: http://www.black-eagle.co.uk/bjj/bjj-gi-and-clothing.html?p=2

Grab a basic BJJ Gi for UNDER £30, or a top of the range Predator for less that £50!

These prices won't stay this low forever, and nor will the stock stay available for long, so enjoy this sale whilst you can!

WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX

2014-07-15T18:19:00.001+01:00

GB Taekwondo, in partnership with Manchester City Council and UK Sport’s Gold Event Series,have announced that tickets for October’s WTF World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester are now on sale to the public.

Following the huge success of the inaugural Grand Prix in Manchester in December 2013, the world’s best athletes will once again come together to compete not just for the Grand Prix title, but also for valuable ranking points in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

British Olympic medallists Jade Jones and Lutalo Muhammad will be in action at the event, which takes place from 24-26 October at Manchester Central. They will be joined by the world’s leading 250 athletes, across eight different weight categories.

Taekwondo fans attending the Manchester Taekwondo GP can choose to attend day or evening sessions or buy discounted Combined, Weekend or Competition (all three days) passes. Individual sessions are available from just £10 for Adults, with all day (Combined) passes starting from £17.50. To make the event as affordable as possible for families, under-16s pay a flat rate £5 for either Individual or Combined tickets. New for this year, a Weekend Pass starts at £34 (Adult) / £9 (U16) and a Competition Pass (all three days) is available from £47 (Adult) / £13 (U16).

Lutalo Muhammad, Olympic Bronze medallist and winner of last year’s Grand Prix title, said of the event: “The Grand Prix has given us the perfect opportunity to perform against the world’s best, in front of a home crowd.

“The brilliant atmosphere last year was without a doubt the best I have experienced since the Olympics and I hope the venue will once again be packed to the rafters to help me defend my title.”

GB Taekwondo Performance Director, Gary Hall, said: “Home support really spurred us on last year, leading to three British finalists and two winners. With Bianca Walkden having recently joined our list of champions, we are hoping for even greater success this year.

“The Grand Prix presents a great opportunity to get up close and personal to elite level Taekwondo, to experience the speed, drama and excitement of a competition which has the added draw of valuable ranking points for Rio 2016 being up for grabs.”

Tickets for the WTF World Grand Prix Manchester are available for general purchase through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.uk/wtgp) from 9am on Monday, 23 June 2014.

More information about tickets and the full Grand Prix schedule is available on the event website www.taekwondogp.com

Martial Arts: Stunt goes a little awry outside the toilet door!

2014-07-15T14:30:00.001+01:00

Don't show off your 'skills' near a toilet door....

WTF Taekwondo: Poomsae Video Patterns 1 to 8

2014-07-07T17:33:00.000+01:00

Very useful video of Patterns 1 to 8.

If you have a grading for Black belt any time soon, this video would be an ideal refresher for patterns 1 to 8!

Martial arts helps give health problems the chop

2014-07-06T17:40:00.005+01:00

A Driffield man has lost 15 stone in weight and dropped 10 jeans sizes - after taking up martial arts.

Jason Bond, 26, could hardly climb stairs and was warned by the doctors his health was at serious risk because of his weight.

But since joining a Driffield martial arts club around two-and-a-half years ago he has dropped from 34 stone to 19 stone and gone in waist size from 56-inches to 38-inches.

Now a trainee instructor and working towards his black belt, Jason says he wants to share his achievement with the world.

“I had hit rock bottom,” he says. “I’d just gone through a divorce and I was depressed and suffering from mental illness. I had little or no interest in life and had lost all confidence in myself.

“Everyone was worried about me; including my doctor and I was even offered surgery.”

He began doing a style of martial arts which mixes boxing and wrestling with kick boxing and jiu-jitsu at the AEGIS National Martial Arts College on Eastgate North.

The first lesson was “terrifying” and he was exhausted just after the ten-minute warm-up, but he said: “Something told me that it was now or never.”

The father-of-one , of King Street, also met his girlfriend at the club. And he says the training has given him the mental strength to help him cope with his mental illness.

Jason, who moved to Driffield from London as a youngster and went to Bridlington School, has never had a job. But now his goal is to make a career from being a fully-qualified instructor and helping others like himself.

Read more: http://www.driffieldtoday.co.uk/news/local/martial-artist-gave-health-problems-the-chop-1-6704134

McDojo Alert: 93 Warning Signs Your Dojo is a McDojo

2014-07-05T14:29:00.000+01:00

93 Warning Signs Your Dojo is a McDojo

1. You wear multicolored uniforms.

2. The dojo advertises as “Non-Contact Karate”.

3. You wear a thousand badges/patches on your gi.

4. You are awarded black belt in 1-2 years.

5. Advancement to the next rank is an expense (and a hefty one at that), instead of anhonorful achievement.

6. Prospective students are required to become a member/subscribe before eventrying a lesson.

7. Your sensei is a “grandmaster” with 7th dan or above, yet is 30 years or younger.

8. There is a “special course” that’ll get you black belt in 6 months or less.

9. (And yes, that course is super expensive.)

10. Your sensei won’t spar/fight with you because he “doesn’t want to hurt you”.

11. Individual development and personal expression is virtually non-existant. Instead, a strong conformist mentality is encouraged, since this inflexible mindset is what makes it easy for a sensei to rule the dojo.

12. You are never taught bunkai (applications) to moves.

13. If you are taught bunkai, they never work – except when your sensei does them.

14. Instructors wear special ‘instructor belts’ rather than regular belts reflecting theirtrue ranking.

15. There are many claims of being an “award winning dojo”, with little or no solid evidence to back this up.

16. Your sensei studied marketing longer than Karate.

17. Instructors are required to have the dojo’s decals on their car.

18. You never practise low kicks.

19. There is a sign that says “Guaranteed Black Belt”.

20. There are 11th dan, 12th dan, 13th dan or even higher grades.

21. Your sensei has one of those grades.

22. …and he “got it in Japan”.

23. Your style was created by your sensei, yet it’s still “traditional” – and it has several“special advantages” over all other styles. Oh, and most likely, the name of the style is absurdly long.

24. There are camouflage belts.

25. You have stripes on your belt that signify how much you have paid (rather than what rank you have)

26. Gradings are fifteen minutes long.

27. There are 7-year old black belts.

28. The dojo sign has the words ‘traditional’, ‘commando’, ‘classical’, ‘effective’, ’100%’, ‘original’, ‘Okinawan’, ‘dragon’, ‘Japanese’, ‘secret’ and ‘elite’ in the same sentence.

29. Between belt grades you get colored tabs on your belt to denote ‘half’ or ‘quarter’ ranks.

30. You can grade via mail order.

31. Wearing/buying the dojo merchandize is mandatory.

32. Your dojo is cluttered with trophies. So cluttered that every time you take a step towards any direction in a kata, you’re actually stepping on a trophy.

33. Speaking of kata; there are waaaay too many of them.

34. Your grandmaster is 14-times World Champion (WKITSKTFKTAF)

35. You are not allowed to compete. It is not “honorful”.

36. You are required to compete. It is “honorful”.

37. Cheesy sales tactics are used to effectively bind up loyal customers (a.k.a. “students”).

38. You are doing kata to music.

39. If you use weapons, they glow in the dark and weigh a maximum of 3 oz.

40. The instructor uses students as punching bags.

41. Movements don’t have names – they have numbers.

42. The dojo’s web address is printed on the back of your uniform.

43. The dojo’s phone number is printed on the back of your uniform.

44. The instructor refuses to teach you certain techniques, because they are “too deadly”

45. (When in fact, the instructors is just holding you back for fear that you’ll get better than him.)

46. The instructor demands respect. He doesn’t earn it.

47. Red gi for the grandmaster, black gi for instructors and white gi for regular students.

48. You must pay for an entire year up front, no refunds (long-term contracts with no termination clauses).

49. Your sensei sounds and acts like a motivational speaker.

50. Besides teaching Karate, your grandmaster also teaches ‘cardio kickboxing’ (or similar).

51. Reference is repeatedly made to the notorious “street”, and what works/doesn’t work there.

52. The dojo has an official mascot.

53. Your sensei can’t explain the meaning of any given technique.

54. Nobody ever fails at a grading.

55. Kids’ classes are more games and chaos than actual Karate.

56. First thing that greets students when they enter the dojo? A cash register.

57. Senior students are required to recruit new members door to door.

58. Your dojo website doesn’t say anything about the actual style of Karate, but instead makes lot of reference to “empowerment”, “mindfulness”, “concentration” and tournament results.

59. Time-based progression through ranks, rather than achievement-based.

60. Your sensei has registered his fists as ‘deadly weapons’ with the local police authorities.

61. Your grandmaster rarely teaches stuff hands-on (he has assistants for that).

62. There are “forbidden” techniques that only certain students are taught.

63. You’re wearing a taekwondo uniform.

64. Cross training is discouraged.

65. Other schools are talked down.

66. Kyu grade students are recruited to become instructors early on, and put in ‘accelerated learning programs’.

67. Your grandmaster has a habit of dating students.

68. “Sensei, when will I learn my next kata?”

69. “When you buy the DVD!”

70. You are rarely taught philosophical concepts, strategy or theory.

71. Doing stuff that’s “correct” is seen as more important than doing stuff that actuallyworks.

72. You practise harnessing your ki/chi power.

73. Quantity is encouraged over quality – both physical and theoretical.

74. The sensei is always right, everybody else are wrong.

75. The style is always right, everything else is wrong.

76. The dojo is always right, everyplace else is wrong

77. Questioning the style, teacher, lineage or dojo is a big no-no.

78. New students aren’t allowed to watch a class; “Just sign the dotted line.”

79. Your sensei adds/changes/removes techniques when he feels like it. Which is basically every week.

80. Your sensei teaches crescent kicks as disarming techniques for handguns and knives.

81. You train defense against baseball bats by blocking with your forearm.

82. Your sensei invokes fear.

83. You bow to a huge portrait of your sensei hanging on the wall.

84. There are “hidden” techniques in kata.

85. When you practise self-defense, it’s always based on a scenario where your opponent steps towards you with a straight punch and then leaves his/her armdangling in front of you as you execute 5-10 different finishing techniques.

86. Your sensei knows the ‘no-touch’ K.O.

87. Your memory to recall techniques is tested more often than your actual skill in performing techniques.

88. Your instructor prefers to use “grandmaster”, “master” or “sensei” rather than his real name. Both in print and person.

89. Showing techniques you learnt from someplace else is frowned upon.

90. The dojo equipment can’t stand full contact use.

91. Students scream more than they bow.

92. If you make a mistake, it’s quickly (and often loudly) pointed out by your sensei. But when you make something correct? Crickets.

93. You practise backflips.

_________

Disclaimer: Possession of a few of these traits are not “proof” that a school is automatically a McDojo. Many legitimate martial arts schools will have some of these signs if only for the purpose of keeping the dojo in good financial standing (and in this economy, who can really blame them?). Just like some traditional schools out there might teach crap techniques, some places that teach valuable techniques might just run their business model like a McDojo! So try to use your brain, folks. It’s not rocket surgery.

Thanks to KaratebjJesse for the original article: http://www.karatebyjesse.com/93-signs-of-a-mcdojo/

MARTIAL ARTS: Forty year journey takes Bob to 4th dan black belt

2014-07-04T11:36:00.001+01:00

BOB DAVIES (below) of Torbay Karate Club has just achieved 4th dan status - more than 40 years after receiving his first black belt.

Originally a member of the Bushido Karate Club in Plymouth, Bob passed his black belt exam at Crystal Palace in 1973.

Workload and the circumstances of life - with long journeys required to progress through the ranks - meant it was not until 1985 that Bob took his second degree exam. And it was another ten years before he took his third.

Nearly 20 years later, Bob has finally passed his fourth degree exam but, as he says, 'every journey begins with the first step'.

Bob started his journey back in the late 60s after 'crossing swords' with a formidable 6ft 3inch bouncer.

Bob decided he needed to toughen up with weightlifting and judo lessons before joining his first karate club in Plymouth.

Another bushido club started a little later, in Paignton, but was on the verge of closing 18 months later before Bob took it over and built it up.

Bob had four years experience behind him when entered and passed black belt examinations at Crystal Palace conducted by the chief instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain, Keinosuke Enoeda, a 6th degree black belt from Japan.

Some years later, during his third degree examination, in 1995, Bob received a cut to the head.

"I had to receive five stitches to the side of my head in order to continue and pass," he explained. "No anaesthetic was used, or needed, as my adrenaline levles were sky high," said Bob.

He described his latest 4th dan success as 'a very gruelling and tiring experience which has involved travelling to Bath and Chesterfield, leaving home at 5am and returning at midnight.'

Read more: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/year-journey-takes-Bob-4th-dan-black-belt/story-21323339-detail/story.html#ixzz36UMXRd98

Martial Arts Grading News: 4th Dan at just 19 years of age...

2014-07-04T11:36:00.000+01:00

Widnes martial arts enthusiast achieves his dream goal

A DREAM has come true for a Widnes martial arts enthusiast.

Mike Southern, aged 19, enrolled with Matt Fiddes Martial Arts 10 years ago and has just achieved his 4th dan, gaining the title Master Southern.

He was named northern and British champion and decided to become a full time instructor last July.

Mike, of Lockett Road, said: “I have trained so hard over the last 10 years, I am so proud of myself and my achievements.

“Martial arts has given me the confidence to be the best I can be.

“I aim to keep training and develop myself further in the future.”

Mike completed a 10 mile run, 1,000 press ups, 1,000 sit ups and three hours of martial arts training at his grading taken by 9th Dan Grandmaster Bob Sykes.

Bob said: “I have seen many gradings but this one has been the most tough both mentally and physically. Mike is a credit to martial arts.”

Mike teaches full time in Warrington, Altrincham, Sale and Wigan and trains under the watchful eye of instructor Master Steve James.

Judo instructor defying the odds against cancer

2014-07-03T09:54:00.000+01:00

Canadian Judo instructor refuses to let cancer stop him teaching!

He’s a teacher at Chinook high school, and an instructor at the Lethbridge judo club. Guy Pomahac is a man who is deeply involved in the community, but he is now facing some very serious adversity. In 2010 Pomahac was diagnosed with cancer and he is now fighting for his life.

Up until a few months ago, Pomahac was a science teacher at Chinook High School. But watching him compete against his opponents, sending them flying at the Lethbridge Judo Club, you would hardly know there’s anything wrong. Pomahac has been fighting for his life for the past four years. “I had colon cancer to start with and it spread now so, it’s still in the abdominal area. Makes it tough to do judo.”

Tough, but not impossible, at least not for Pomahac. He has continued training and teaching at the Lethbridge Judo Club all while battling cancer since he was diagnosed in 2010. It’s been a trying four years for Pomahac however. Thinking he had the terrible disease beaten three times, only to have it come back. Most recently in February after competing in a judo tournament in Vancouver.

“Came back, my leg had swelled up to nine centimetres bigger then my other leg. Next thing you know, they find out from some tests that the tumor is there.”

But throughout everything, there’s been one constant, his presence at the judo club. Pomahac’s been around the sport for 45 years and has been doing it at an elite level. He’s been to more than ten world championships and was an alternate for the Canadian Olympic Judo Team. But believe it or not, he’s not finished yet. Pomahac plans to compete in the upcoming Masters Judo Championships in Spain.

“To me it’s not an unrealistic goal. I know I’m going to put that out there, that’s my carrot. That’s what I want to do. I want to accomplish that and when I’m finished, I’m finished.”

As Pomahac trains for yet another world championship, he knows this time he’s fighting for something far greater then a title.

“Really in the back of my mind I want my kids to realize that no matter what, if you set a goal and set your mind to something you can accomplish it.”

His final battle is with cancer and to Pomahac, it’s just another fight on the mats.

“To me it’s just another judo match, and this one, I’m going to win it again. That’s all I can say about that.”

Pomahac resumed chemotherapy treatment on Monday but still has hopes of competing in November.

Source: http://globalnews.ca/news/1426745/local-judo-instructor-defying-the-odds/

What does it mean to do something 'Like a girl'?

2014-07-02T16:17:00.002+01:00

Always have produced an amazing video about what people think 'like a girl' means...

Using #LikeAGirl as an insult is a hard knock against any adolescent girl. And since the rest of puberty's really no picnic either, it's easy to see what a huge impact it can have on a girl's self-confidence.

We're kicking off an epic battle to make sure that girls everywhere keep their confidence throughout puberty and beyond, and making a start by showing them that doing it #LikeAGirl is an awesome thing.

Find out more at http://www.always.com/en-us/likeagirl...

Former martial arts teacher admits £15,000 fraud

2014-07-02T09:41:00.000+01:00

A FORMER Omagh martial arts teacher has pleaded guilty to defrauding a woman out of £15,000.

Dannio Alchino (44), with an address now in Tildarg Avenue in Belfast, appeared at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday to be arraigned on three counts of fraud by false representation

Formerly of Knockgreenan Drive, Omagh, Alchino previously ran a number of Shaolin Kung Fu classes in Omagh, Stewartstown and Dungannon. He was originally charged in respect of the fraud offences in May 2011, however an arrest warrant was issued for Alchino in September 2011 after he failed to attend court.

The warrant was not executed until May this year, when Alchino was arrested in Belfast following information received by police.

When he appeared back in court, it was heard that the 44-year-old was working under a new identity ‘Marco Morello’ in a salon in Belfast which provided botox and fillers.

See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2014/06/27/former-omagh-martial-arts-teacher-admits-15000-fraud

Mum battles through cancer to win Black Belt

2014-07-01T10:21:00.001+01:00

Kuk Sool Won student Jane Courtenay-Moore awarded Black Belt whilst battling cancer.

When Jane Courtenay-Moore was diagnosed with cancer in May 2013, she feared she may not see the following year.

But just over 12 months later, almost a year to the day of her first bout of chemotherapy, Jane has earned her black belt in Kuk Sool Won, a Korean martial art.
Flanked by her two sons Liam, 17, and Dennis, 14, Jane was presented with her final belt at the end of June.

She said: “It was massive to be standing there with my sons. They flanked me and although it was nerve-wracking, I was very proud.

“I was thinking that this time last year I was sat watching them getting medals for the EU championship.

“I sat watching them in the audience. Another young lad had died from cancer around that time. My son was looking at me and I was shaking my head saying “that is not going to be me”.
“Now here I am with my black belt.”

Jane first started the Kuk Sool Won classes at Newmarket Leisure Centre about four years ago after starting the group with her daughter.

And though her daughter stopped the classes, Jane continued with Liam and Dennis, rising through the belts from white to brown.

But last year, Jane was diagnosed with grade II hormone cancer.
While it would be enough to stop most people in their tracks, Jane continued the classes.
She said: “I always found the classes as something to look forward to.

“It gave me something where I could say “no matter how tired I am, I’m going to go out and I’m going to do it”.

Through bouts of chemotherapy, Jane was perfecting the 90 moves she needed to remember to earn the belt, which she says also helped her through her illness.

Read more: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/How-Jane-Courtenay-Moore-achieved-her-black-belt-in-martial-arts-while-fighting-cancer-20140629103019.htm

Olympics: Time To Kick Taekwondo Into Touch?

2014-06-30T17:13:00.002+01:00

Has Taekwondo run its course as an Olympic sport?

After the boredom of Athens 2004, then the disappointment of Beijing 2008, did London 2012 really showcase Taekwondo as a long-term future Olympic sport?

Many Taekwondo Instructors we spoke to all agreed that the Taekwondo was boring to watch, with no real quality sparring, more bouncing up and down wafting the odd leg in the air.

After Athens 2004, Taekwondo was told to up the ante and make it more 'spectacular', but did it succeed? In Beijing Sarah Stevenson won a bronze after a poor referee decision was overturned. In London, Jade Jones won Britain's first ever gold, but did the performances really match the expectation of Taekwondo as a whole?

Taekwondo is an explosive martial art, and can be spectacular to watch, but have we lost site of the martial art in the pursuit of medals?

Without taking anything away from medal winners, is that the issue? More concerned with the medal than actually going out to spar properly? Fear of losing?

Referees are penalising negativity, but should more be done to get fighters thrashing it out like they actually want the win?

Is it time to give another martial art a chance at the Olympics?

Is the grading system broken?

2014-06-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

Is money more important than the ability?

It has been a strange week for news in the Martial Arts world, with the controversy surrounding the award of an MBE to an apparently fictitious 10th Dan raising many more questions than answers over the whole grading system in many of the mainstream arts.

We believe that there is something inherently wrong with many of the gradings now taking place, and that far more importance is being placed up how much revenue an organisation can squeeze from a student, rather than just how good they are, and whether their abilities merit passing them.

Does the equipment you wear really matter?

This is something we have often come across, people being refused the right to grade because they don't have the right equipment.

Now, you'd think that might sound a good idea, safety standards blah blah. However, the real reality is the money.

Example: Go buy a sparring set such and, for argument purposes, that sets you back around £70 to £90 from an online shop. You turn up to class, shiny new sparring gear all ready to show off, and your Instructor takes you to one side and politely explains that you will not be allowed to grade wearing that sparring gear.

Your Instructor then shows you the sparring gear you have to wear, and you look puzzled. Why? Well, the really puzzling bit is you cannot actually see the difference between what you just bought and what your Instructor is showing you....until you notice the price is nearly double what you just paid! Oh, and the name of the brand printed on the goods....everything else is identical.

Sound far fetched? This is fact, based on actual experiences we have been made aware of, through students having to return goods only to then buy the almost exact same goods for double the price, with no physical difference whatsoever between the actual product itself.

Far too many belts are awarded for the wrong reasons, the chief among them being GREED.

We believe far too many organisations have a stranglehold over students in terms of the amount of money they squeeze from them, and that the result is a grading system that is financially driven rather than through actual physical ability alone.

This is just one example, there are probably many more that you can tell us about!

As Bruce Lee once famously said....Belts are for holding your trousers up.

Friday Funny: Jiu Jitsu GAY!?

2014-06-27T09:15:00.001+01:00

Have a great weekend!

Wing Chun Kung Fu: Flight attendants learn kung fu

2014-06-26T17:14:00.001+01:00

Unruly air passengers would be wise not to mix it with flight attendants on Chinese planes any time soon.

They are among the clients of a new kung fu master teaching them the ancient martial art.

Although intended to ward off potential terrorists in the cabin, the skills they learn can easily be deployed against drunken and unruly travellers.

The training is taking place in Chengdu city in southwest China's Sichuan province. Tu Tengyao, 32, is one of the trainers teaching a new intake of 20,000 students how to kick, punch and wrestle opponents with ease.

The college, Southwest Airline College, signed a deal with Tu Tengyao and his school to turn flight personnel into mini Bruce Lees.

He is the son of Ye Wen, a legendary kung fu master, who developed and passed down Wing Chun kung fu.

Tu said: "The threat of terrorism is increasing and so personnel must really be equipped to deal with life and death situations at thousands of feet up in the air.

"It is impossible to use firearms in such places so people must rely on their wits and their strengths. I hone them into becoming adept martial art practitioners."

According to the airline college, Wing Chun kung fu is "quite suitable to be practised in narrow and confined spaces and so it's perfect for air crew".