Boxing
The Burqa Boxers: Afghanistan And Female Boxing
As if boxing weren’t tough enough.
In a very conservative and rather traditional society and country like Afghanistan it’s not only the physical training aspect of Western boxing that makes it a challenge.
It can be more than just a challenge. At times it can be even life-threatening if you are an Afghan female and striving to become the best boxer you can be.
A group of Afghan girls and women doing just that are simply known as the ‘Burqa Boxers’.
The burqa is the outer clothing worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their bodies in public places and yes, that would include countries such as Afghanistan.
Well, the girls and women we’re talking about today are certainly respecting that part of it all, even or especially while training.
However, even within their own families some of these female boxers are experiencing harsh criticism to say the least.
At times they have received extreme threats that prevent them from training, as in the view of their critics in their home country of Afghanistan the boxers are not complying with Islamic law and traditions.
To me these boxers and coaches appear to be very dedicated and most of their friends and families to be supportive of their pursuit to be the best that they can be.
Chilling memories become all too real, when you think of them training at Kabul’s Ghazni stadium where years ago the Taliban would execute women.
At this same place, 17-year old Olympic hopeful for this year’s London games Sadaf Rahimi trains among dusty floors, broken mirrors and hardly lit hallways.
It didn’t surprise me when I heard that there is a lack of appropriate training equipment. They don’t even seem to have a boxing ring.
And yet Rahimi and her peers are determined to continue to float like a butterflies and sting like a bees.
Kudos!
Can Autism Be Overcome By Martial Arts? Just Ask Monique Sciberras.
I’m not sure when I first heard about autism. I’m not even sure that I had even heard about it before watching the Oscar-winning movie “Rain Man” starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise way back in 1988.
I guess you can say that autism got quite a bit of exposure through the film and Dustin Hoffman’s character, Raymond Babbitt.
Autism is a disorder of neural development. It is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
According to studies, these signs all begin before a child is three years old.
Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood.
Autism has a strong genetic basis. In some cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects.
It is controversial when it comes to proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines.
The global prevalence of autism is about 1–2 per 1,000 people, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports approx. 9 per 1,000 children in the United States. The number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s.
And then there’s 10-year old Monique Sciberras from Australia who was diagnosed with mild autism several years ago.
According to her parents, Monique has been able to thrive through her martial arts training and overcome her disability.
She has become a force to reckon with in karate, kung fu, boxing, Muay Thai and weapons.
I came across some video footage that deserves to be shared with you, wherever you may be right now:
For more about Monique Sciberras, click here
Sensational Martial Arts
Thanks for stopping by today.
I was able to compile several video clips that you will hopefully enjoy as much as I did when first viewing them.
The first clip shows a 5-year old wrestler who leaves no doubt who rules the mat when he is involved in this competition.
If he keeps up his training, stays healthy and enthusiastic about wrestling, there is no goal this prodigy can’t achieve.
But don’t take my word for it.
And how about kicking like a girl. Not just any girl, but let’s say, Nikki Stanley.
Don’t get in her way:
There are martial arts moves and then there martial arts moves.
I remember after having seen a Bruce Lee movie, my buddies and I would head out to somebody’s backyard and we try to emulate what we had seen.
In our minds it looked like this (but now, I am sure it didn’t. Oh, well.):
And because I like cats (and dogs, too. I am actually hanging out with my neighbors’ pooch while writing this post.)
I thought you might enjoy a cat that doesn’t pull punches:
This has been fun. I hope you enjoyed the video clips, too.
Come back to see me again real soon, you hear?!
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Can Wushu Kung Fu Become An Olympic Discipline?
We all know that boxing, wrestling, judo and even Taekwondo have been celebrated Olympic sports.
I have been asking myself for many years when karate would get a shot at being part of the Olympic family.
But it looks like with all the different organizations out there with their own agenda it will probably continue to stand in its own way.
Along with the fact that they would need one clear direction and mission statement presented to the IOC by spokespersons with clout.
Clout? Well, would you agree that somebody like Jackie Chan has clout to get people’s attention that would help Wushu become an Olympic discipline?
Wushu organizers were able to put on an international tournament during the Beijing Games in 2008 and showcase what Wushu competition is all about.
There seem to be competing Wushu organizations who might just drop their own personal agenda for the big goal and that would be the Olympic Games in the foreseeable future.
Your thoughts and comments are always welcome here (but you knew that already).
Martial Arts Stunt Performer Extraordinaire From Down Under
What usually comes to mind when somebody mentions Australia?
How about, Down Under, Outback, Sydney, kangaroos, koala bears, Great Barrier Reef, Olivia Newton-John (if you’re over the age of 30, ha!), Nicole Kidman, Melbourne and the Australian Open (if you’re at all interested in tennis)?
But how about Bradley James Allan?
Anybody?
If not, well, that’s about to change (I think).
You might have even seen him and/or his work on the Big Screen without even knowing who he was.
Brad Allan was born in Melbourne and at the age of 14 he started studying Wushu under two of Jet Li’s compatriots.
Besides being an outstanding gymnast, Brad is also trained in aikido, boxing, karate and kickboxing and it really shows in his breathtaking on-screen performances.
After brief appearances in the Jackie Chan movies, “Mr. Nice Guy” and “Who Am I?”, Brad was invited to join Jackie Chan’s prestigious stunt team and thus becoming the first non-Asian to do so and subsequently taking on the role of team leader. Now, that’s impressive to me.
Brad Allan has appeared in numerous films such as Avatar, Ninja Assassin, Shanghai Knights, Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour 2, just to name a few. But he has also been able to show his talent as a stunt choreographer and coordinator in movies such as Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Chronicles of Riddick, and even Rush Hour 3.
Enough said about this bundle of creative energy.
Let’s have look at a Brad Allan Action Reel, which of course includes at least one fight scene with the one and only, Jackie Chan:
Billy Blanks, Martial Artist And Creator of TaeBo
I always like trying out different workout programs. So a couple of years I borrowed a DVD from a friend.
And I gotta tell ya that I got a really good sweat from what I was following on the screen.
The program is better known as TaeBo and it simply combines numerous training elements from Taekwondo/Karate and Western boxing while creating a high-octane environment in the privacy of your own home.
TaeBo has helped and continues to help millions get and stay in shape.
It is not a self-defense program, even though the man behind TaeBo certainly can defend himself.
He is a 7th degree Taekwondo Black Belt and his name is Billy Blanks.
Before introducing his immensely successful brainchild, Karate Hall of Famer Billy Blanks was actually a very accomplished martial artist and boxing champion (Massachusetts Golden Gloves Champion) which he explains in the following video clip I found for you.
Hope you enjoy it!
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Does Boxing Icon Manny Pacquiao Have The Midas Touch?
That’s an easy one for my favorite Filipino-American barber, whom you all know by now.
Yep, I got my hair cut again the other day and of course I got the latest scoop on one the greatest boxers of all time.
Manny Pacquiao has won world titles in seven different weight classes and is currently the Welterweight champion of the world.
But there is more to the most popular Filipino!
Besides dancing around his opponents in the ring, Manny aspires to singing (I didn’t say he is another Arnel Pineda) and he is very involved in philanthropic work especially in his home country of The Philippines.
Several years ago he announced his aspirations to attain political office and guess what!
“The Pacman” set another milestone by winning a congressional seat in the province of Sarangani by garnering 120,052 votes and beating his opponent, Mr. Roy Chionbian, by 50,000 votes.
So, officially Manny Pacquiao will be a lawmaker and probably better known as the Fighting Congressman of The Philippines starting November 2010.
I ask you: Will the day come that we know Manny Paquiao as The President of The Philippines?
TheMartialArtsReporter.com is pleased to offer its readers a special deal on kicking shields.
Enter the coupon code “shield_sale” (without the quotations) during checkout at karatedepot.com and receive 10% off the price of your shields!
A Different Kind Of Rumble In The Jungle
Who else has vivid memories of that absolutely unforgettable boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) on October 30, 1974?
This fight was promoted as and even today it is simply known as “Rumble In The Jungle”.
Ali won in the 8th round by KO after fighting a very clever bout by wearing Foreman out or better letting Big George wear himself out.
But there is a different kind of “Rumble In The Jungle” that I want to introduce to you today.
Several years ago I was watching “The Rundown” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Christopher Walken and Seann William Scott.
There is one fight scene that takes place in the Brazilian jungle that always gets my attention, especially because one of the jungle fighters is played by Erne Reyes Jr. and he does an incredible job.
But I will let you be the judge:
Seann William Scott has a point when he refers to these fierce jungle fighters as “Speedy little bastards.”
Agree or disagree?
My Filipino-American Barber Never Ceases To Amaze Me
Well, it sure was about time for me to get a haircut today.
You already know that it has become a tradition for me to talk about boxing, martial arts and all kinds of stuff about the Philippines.
Today was no different.
We talked about a couple of interesting Filipinos or as they would say “Pilipinos”.
Today’s post is beyond martial arts, because yes, there is a life beyond martial arts, at least for me. What about you?
Anyway, I have always thought the band Journey is one of the best bands ever to have performed. Great music, great lyrics and great lead singer. Remember Steve Perry?!
Well, he and the band went their separate ways many years ago and the band has replaced him more than once as far as I know.
I have a confession to make.
What I didn’t know until my barber told me today, was that their front man is Filipino. His name is Arnel Pineda and he is amazing.
Check him out, right here:
A Very Unusual Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I Really Hope Thiago Alves …. - 26 Year Old Brazilian MMA Fighter And Superb UFC-Welterweight FacingThe Biggest Challenge Of His Life.
Do You Punch Like A 7 Year Old? I wish I could punch like this kid. Find out what I mean.
Inglourious Basterds And Infamous Choke On The Ground Got Me Thinking About A way Out.
Move Over, Jackie Chan And Jet Li, Because Here Comes Donnie Yen Who Stars Again As Wing Chun Legend, Ip Man
The Kid From Beaufort Who Became Heavyweight Boxing Olympic Gold Medalist And World Champion And I Had No Idea Until Last Week.
Erin Go Bragh! And Don’t Forget The Shamrocks! Ireland Forever And Boy, Did I Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day In Savannah.
I would apppreciate your feedback to any of my previous posts and even topics that I haven’t touched on yet.
Talk soon.
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