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Tackle Knife Crime Through Martial Arts
- Tags:
- feral youths
- governing bodies for martial arts
- knives
- mixed martial arts
- Pankration
- Samurai swords
- weapons
Posted by Phil Doherty on May 29, 2008 12:59 PM
By Guest Blogger Peter Seth, 3rd Dan Aikido.
Knives! Horrible things in the hands of fools!
In fact it does not even have to be a knife, almost anything can be employed to intimidate, terrorise, wound and kill. It is the individuals not the weapons they use which must be the priority in addressing the present violence sweeping the country.
Apart from the criminal element and the perpetuation of violence for gain, the other main area is the violence that seems to be prevalent and increasing amongst the youth in this country.
With youngsters, both male and female as young as nine up to the age of early 20s and sometimes beyond, being involved in nasty and sometimes deadly violence how do we address the issues?.
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Carrying Weapons Home From Training
Posted by Phil Doherty on April 23, 2008 12:50 PM
A COUPLE of students of mine were going home recently when they were pulled over by the boys in blue.
The excuse (not that they need one) by the police was that the car they were travelling in was not registered as being from that area.
Asking the lads what it was they had in the back of the car one of my students answered: “Weapons, swords and sticks and things.�
An honest answer, if not maybes the most sensible one!
The copper took a step back with a sharp intake of breath and was most likely thinking about backup, helicopters and the armed response unit!
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National Governing Bodies For All
Posted by Phil Doherty on March 14, 2008 2:30 PM
FOR quite some time Sport England has been trying to unify martial arts under National Governing Bodies. It is an uphill struggle and one imagines a thankless task.
Their aim is to bring unification among the disparate groups that make up our world (who, let’s admit generally can’t agree on anything!).
Sport England believe it would make their task of over-seeing martial arts easier and allow the public a one contact point where they could check instructor qualifications and insurance etc.
In the sports martial arts arena it would also mean that there was a unified team drawn from all clubs and groups and not just a select few that often happens at present.
This means, for example, that the Great Britain Karate team could draw from a wider pool of talent.
All good stuff – I’m sure you’ll agree?
But I have reservations about this long-term goal.
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Give us the Feral Youths and we'll Give You the Respectful Adult
Posted by Phil Doherty on February 14, 2008 12:39 PM
ANOTHER day another person dying or fighting for their life at the hands of feral youths on the rampage.
Some blame the binge drinking culture, others drugs, some poverty and yet others the break down in traditional families.
Of course there is some truth in all of the above.
Yet in Japan and other Asian countries there is poverty and heavy drinking and yet these cultures do not have the same levels of youth disorder that seems to plague our small island.
In Japan, of example, violent crime is virtually non-existent compared to our New Jerusalem of Britain.
Why? Is it because they are taught to show respect for their elders and, just as importantly, themselves and others?
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Together We Can All Help Kick Cancer
Posted by Phil Doherty on January 10, 2008 2:11 PM
FOR quite some time a dedicated group of martial artists in the region have been working hard to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.
They do this not for the glory but because they want to make a difference – and as such they are unsung heroes.
The foremost of these unselfish and caring guys is Sensei Peter Seth who spends most of the year organising the North’s biggest martial art showcase, the Marfest International Martial Arts Festival held annually in Sunderland.
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Samurai swords - how long before a total ban?
Posted by Phil Doherty on December 12, 2007 3:48 PM
Guest Blogger John Barrass, Chief Intructor of the Kuri Nami Satori Ryu Kenjutsu Club discusses the samurai sword ban
IT is unfortunate that the actions of thugs and criminals have led to a ban on the sale and import of samurai swords.
Due to the actions of the few the many may have to suffer as the Home Office has said only serious collectors and martial arts enthusiasts will be allowed to possess samurai swords.
But how long will it be before there is a total ban?
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MMA the original Olympic sport
Posted by Phil Doherty on December 6, 2007 10:27 AM
MEDICS everywhere must be bursting blood vessels, banging heads against walls and tearing their hair out at the suggestion MMA should be become an Olympic Sport.
As most of you may know the British Medical Association has recently had an apoplexy over MMA describing it as: “as human cockfighting� and saying “the days of gladiator fights are over and we should not be looking to resurrect them.�
In the same way that the BMA is trying to knock out Boxing it’s trying to take down MMA – by playing the brutality and injury card.
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Mixed Martial Arts versus the old Champ Boxing
Posted by Phil Doherty on November 30, 2007 3:51 PM
IN the blue corner we have the young contender Mixed Martial Arts and in the red corner the old champ Boxing.
But who will win the battle of the ring – or cage – to be the true heavyweight champion of the airwaves and audience figures?
There's no doubt Boxing has a hardcore of fans who will never renounce their love of the ‘noble’ art, but the names on the lips of youngsters are not heavy weight boxing champs Sultan Ibragimov or Ruslan Chagaev.
No, the youth of today are talking about the Chuck Liddle and the awesome Matt Hughes, kings of the Octagon.
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Mods versus Traditional martial arts
Posted by Phil Doherty on November 27, 2007 4:21 PM
I have a confession to make. I’m a Mod and not a Traditional martial artist.
There, I feel better for getting that off my chest.
The reason why I mentioned this is because there seems to be a rift developing in the martial arts world between Mods and Trads.
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This page contains an archive of all entries posted to the Sunday Sun Blog by Phil Doherty.