Martial Arts News 7.11.10

The News:

• Dave Batista may try MMA? Given he has no fighting arts or fighting sports experience I’m really skeptical that he can pull it off at his age!

I just think that having no serious background in martial arts training before your early 40s ought to make us wonder if this is a serious pursuit, or just an attention-getting gimmick for a guy who’s missing the limelight more than he thought he would.

• Another gym may bite the dust.

“As a kid, I got in a lot of trouble,” said Harrison. “I was in the juvenile system and then graduated to adult detention. And that’s what gonna happen if we don’t find a place.”

Harrison says he’s been offered grants and promises of help, but nothing has materialized.

• So can you learn karate from a video?

Karate is an ancient art form can be taught with the help of pictures, videos and writings. This is where the instructional videos come into play.

• A seven-year-old earns her black belt in two years?

The feisty seven-year-old has been training for two years and had to endure a four-and-a-half-hour grading session to achieve the honour.

• Here’s an interesting article about a Muay Thai champion.

Lured by this macho bravado of this blood sport from Thailand, Abbas Ahmadi, an Iranian Muay Thai champion, plunged head-on into it as a kid despite his mother’s objection.

• Here’s one about a recent Shotokan camp.

Debbie Al Asfoor was one of three karate professionals from Bahrain to take part in the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) master training camp in Camp Green Lane, Philadelphia.

• A 72-year-old receives her black belt in tae kwon do. I suppose this makes an interesting parallel to that seven-year-old…

Today was graduation day, and 72-year-old Alice — now a great grandmother — received her black belt after two years of training for it.

• The UK recently hosted a very large international aikido event.

Held at the Welsh Institute of Sport, the event organised by the Joint Aikido Council saw 800 aikido practitioners jostling for space on a crowded mat.

• Here’s a martial mom that packs some serious credentials.

I got my first black belt in tae kwon do, Hapkido and kickboxing after three years of consistent training. Now, I am a second-degree black belt instructor.

After six years of kicking, jumping, spinning and kickboxing… martial arts has gotten me back in shape and has helped keep me there.

• The Chicago handgun debate heats up.

There is little scientific evidence of any public health or public safety benefits of privately owned guns. In fact, according to the respected Journal of Trauma, guns in the home are 11 times more likely to be used in suicide attempts and four times more likely to be involved in accidents than used in self-defense.

The most recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2007, more than 2,000 children in the U.S. were killed and another 12,371 were injured by gunfire. For parents, the lesson here is quite simple: Keeping a gun at home puts your children at risk.

• Meanwhile, in Indiana you can bring your gun to work.

She said the NRA, which lobbied for the law, was satisfied with it.

“We’re happy that people can transport firearms in their cars to and from work,” she said.

• I wonder what the NRA would think about these recent shootings?

- One teen is shot in downtown Indianapolis.
- One man is shot on the near North Side.
- Another man is shot on the Northwest Side.
- Another teen is shot in the chest.
- A 75-year-old woman is accidentally shot.
- A man accidentally shoots himself in the head at a firing range.
- Another teen accidentally shoots himself in the head.

The Blogs:

- Blue Snake Books has an interesting take on the Wii Fit.

That computerized system is known today as the Wii and is one of the leading units in promoting new age martial arts for all to enjoy.

- Okay, I have zero Tai Chi experience but I have to admit that I’m really enjoying the material that Bunkai Jutsu is putting out. Aside from the combat applications the thing that stands out for me is that a lot of their take downs are very similar to techniques I learned in our Chin Na curriculum. I guess what I’m seeing is that Chinese influence?

When it comes to martial application of Tai Chi the two different interpretations tend to favour different applications. A forward lean favours throwing and a vertical spine favours striking.

- 100 man kumite? I think I’ll pass!

100 Man Kumite is a test of physical and mental endurance. It is usually associated with Kyukushin Karate, but was also practiced in old Kendo dojo.

- Dan needs your help!

The gist here is that I want a unique, memorable domain name, but am having a helluva time coming up with one.

- Sensei Strange is about to find himself.

I am loading up the truck and preparing for a walk about. If you want me to stop by your dojo on my journey, let me know. I will even let you feed me!

Nicola needs your help too!

Being an ex-soldier, I support several military charities, indeed I have several compatriots currently being treated at Headley Court, and one of my peers is the co-founder of ‘Help the Heroes’. However supporting these worthy charities is treating the effects not the cure for the conflicts. I believe that unless we address the environmental and conservation issues surrounding us today then conflict is inevitable and unstoppable.

- Colin takes some heat!

His response was targeted at a favourite book of mine Shotokan’s Secret and a forum that’s linked to it. Check out my response at the link above.

The Videos:

- Okay, I’m a sucker for these kinda movies! Defiantly not something for the kids to see. Oh, and you get to see the Lord of Pasta wield a katana against a machete! What more do you need? This one looks similar to Kill Bill but it could be a stinker. Either way I’m going to it!

- The second video comes from Bunkai (see above). Here you see Brush Knee Twist Step in action!

-BCP

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