I started my martial arts is standard 3 (third Grade) in Nairobi (started with Shotokan Karate), and the training was brutal. Bloody knuckles from hitting a makawara wrapped with some rather abrasive sisal rope, full contact Kumite that was like something out of some Kyokunshin Kaikan tournament (I still have marks on my legs), and no excuses. Almost more of a bujitsu (war art) than a Budo (focus more on the softer side). Even Goju-ryu senseis emphasized a lot of hard style in an otherwise soft-er (not by any means soft) art, with the Shotokan teachers being absolutely brutal. As for Tae Kwon Do, (if one ignores it coming from Korea while the Karates are Japanese/Okinawan) basically a faster Shotokan-esque style, with less overall power (you don't want to get punched by a Shotokan karateka), but vicious kicks (you don't want to get an axe kick from the Tae Kwon Do guys I know). Anyways, the thought of sparring with a female, and without any disrespect, would have been frowned on ...not because of any misogyny, but simply because even the lighter guys (unless they were very fast) could (and did) end up with broken ribs. If I gave someone 2/3rds my weight a crescent kick and she tried to block it with her arm, or a straight punch to the chest, it may not go well for her. Thus I am surprised you were allowed to spar with ladies ...what if they tried to block a strike and you broke her arm?
Very surprised they allowed that. I can understand wrestling (or say Brazilian/Japanese jujitsu/judo), where the only issue is putting your hands in the 'wrong' places (and assuming the sensei ensured proper weight classification for the lady and the guy, so that what you weight doesn't overplay your skill in the Dojo). However, Tae Kwon Do inter-sex sparring in the Dojang? That's a new one ....in most of the places I have been (outside the US), inter-sex sparring in any Karate Dojo, Tae Kwon Do Dojang, Muay Thai ring, etc, would be frowned upon. Having bleeding knuckles is one thing, making half the face of the girl in the Dojo swell is another.
about the article,
i fully agree with the young man’s decision not to wrestle a girl. it is plainly inappropriate. i wouldn’t allow a son or daughter to be in such intimate vigorous physical contact with anyone of the opposite sex. this is not being prudish, but a practice of respect, honor, modesty.
” it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. “ 1 corinthians ch 7.
“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” 1 Tim 5:1
any women interested in serious 1 on 1 martial athletic competition should try fencing. its a good cross training choice. & develops mental & physical reflexes, physical memory, & strengthens & tones most of the body. it is very safe.
about spetznaz, martial arts, female self defense,
i agree that women should not be involved in dangerous martial art sparring.
although a woman or man training to toughen up for self defense is a great idea. however one should have a realistic expectation & foreknowledge of possible fatal, debilitative or disfiguring injury in any attack.
as a youth i participated in karate classes, even then some of the practice drills were surprisingly harsh.
altho i never saw anything as serious as spetznaz stated.
1 scenario involved facing an opponent who advanced in forward stance punching as you blocked backing away in forward stance. most of the punches landed mid bicep & not the forearm. i dont remember my opponent’s size, but in an attack if a medium or small build woman were to face a larger & or taller male who got inside her arm’s defensive blocking zone & began to pummel her. it would indeed be likely unrecoverable.
thus for many women it would be simpler to get a conceal carry license, buy a pistol, & train at the range.
a firearm is a force multiplier that far exceeds any amount of training in the martial arts.
yet it is imperative to know that carrying a firearm involves bearing very serious spiritual, ethical, & legal responsibilities one must be very well prepared for in advance. it is not something to be taken lightly.