Top woman in the Art

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 2:33 am

It's a woman in another art but I thought you ladies would enjoy and find her inspirational.
http://www.judoinfo.com/fukuda.htm
Enjoy.

F.

KZMiller · Post by **KZMiller** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 6:28 pm

Thank you.

Kami

chi2 · Post by **chi2** » Fri May 21, 2004 6:02 pm

more inspiration.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/16/sport ... 6WRES.html

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Fri May 21, 2004 6:13 pm

"I'm excited to start at the bottom somewhere, excited to see if I can graduate at the top of my class," Miranda said. "People say, `Why not stay and enjoy the view and stay on top?' Of the limited time I have here, it's less worthy than going somewhere else and starting at the bottom and seeing if I can get to the top again."

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri May 21, 2004 8:48 pm

When words and gestures failed to get an important point across, Fukuda rose slowly to her feet. She left her sturdy black cane, with its wide curving crook, resting on the mat. In tiny, staggered steps, Fukuda moved into position in front of the student. She reached up to grab the young woman's lapels, grasping them with wrinkled hands stiff from arthritis and weakened from old judo injuries. The room fell silent. Everyone else stopped training and turned to watch. Fukuda dropped, rolled and threw her young opponent -- three times in a row. She then returned to her chair for the rest of the two-hour class.

Simon Lailey told me similar stories of the nephew of Shushiwa who - at 95 - directed the teaching of the Fuzhou suparinpei.

It's not about strength when you do it right. These anecdotes (and those told about Ueshiba) illustrate the point well. Most of us never get there...

Speaking of top women... I'll be trying to touch base with you soon, Dana.

- Bill

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Mon May 24, 2004 2:13 am

If you take a good look at the picture you will see she is doing a sacrifice throw. Imagine a 90 year old person dropping forcefully on their side, and then getting back up, and doing it 2 more times.

Also her not having a competitive outlet forced her to train deeper in her Kata. She is perhaps now the #1 living expert on the somewhat lost art of Judo Kata.

Her book, which is out of print, is a sought after collectors item, commanding big bucks.

What a woman, what a life.

F.