"DEMPSEY" by Jack Dempsey and Barbara Piatelli Dempsey, book review

BOOK REVIEW FOR AUSTRALIAN BOXING: FIST MAGAZINE

By Mike James

dempsey-cover.jpg

Boxers come and boxers go. Those with exceptional skills capture the media lime light and crowd plaudits for a short time before drifting off into obscurity; usually via the fists of a new usurper for the throne.

Unfortunately many refuse to accept defeat and continue boxing in vain hope of reliving past glories. As they grow older, their skills and reflexes diminish resulting in more physical punislm1ent and sometimes permanent brain damage. To use the boxing vernacular, they become punch-drunk.

Indeed, there is no sadder sight in sport today than ex heavy-weight champion Muhammad Ali, in his prime a truly beautiful and gifted athlete who could 'float like a butterfly and sting like a bee;' today a mumbling incoherent shadow of a man with a shuffling gait and permanent tremor in his limbs. It is a picture all too common among ex boxers, and more fuel to fire the sentiments of the anti-boxing lobby.

There are individuals, however, whose lives belie this scenario and become revered as heroes by boxing fans and detractors alike. Jack Dempsey, world heavyweight champion (1919-26) is one boxer held in awe and regarded as a legend in American sports' history.

On a recent trip to an Adelaide book-shop I unearthed the now out of print autobiography of this famous sportsman. Simply titled "Dempsey", the book is written in collaboration with his step-daughter Barbara Piatelli Dempsey and describes the life and times of the man known in pugilistic circles as the Manassa Mauler.

Dempsey recounts his humble beginnings as a Colorado coal miner whose only way out of poverty was to capitalize on his greatest talent: the ability to punch with devastating power. None of these recollections are colored by introspective self-analysis. Barbara Piatelli Dempsey' s writing allows Jack's words to speak for themselves.

Intertwined within Dempsey's life is a colorful montage of characters and events (both in and out of ring). The Willard fight, the infamous long count, his trial for refusing to enter the army, his days as a movie star and restaurateur, are all told with disarming honesty.

More than a mere blow by blow description of a boxing career, Dempsey tells of the struggles of a simple honest man in difficult times. Through world wars, economic depressions and personal turmoil Jack Dempsey emerges as the archetypical American hero.

What makes the story even more appealing is its warts and all approach. Dempsey's foibles are exposed; his life is no sugar-coated fairy tale. For any sports historian or fanatic, "Dempsey" is essential reading. It is a timeless work which will ensure that the famous catch cry "I can beat any man in the house" will continue to be shouted by those seeking to emulate the fistic feats of the eternal symbol of American male machismo, the one and the only Jack Dempsey 

Boxacise

Boxasize-1.jpg

The fitness program with punch but minus the lumps and bumps!

By Mike James

Pull unlike Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront” our aim is to be pretenders, not contenders in the boxing stakes.

If someone mentions the word boxing, chances are your thoughts will turn to the fistic deeds of world famous pugilists like Muhammad Ali, or the exploits of celluloid heroes like Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky Balboa" or Marlon Brando in the 1950's classic, "On the Waterfront".

You probably either like or loathe boxing. Many people are thrilled at the prospect of two individuals of equal weight displaying skill, courage and strength, in this ultimate "one on one" contest. Others revile boxing for its primitive display of brute force and naked aggression and point W the dire consequences it can have for the health of its competitors.

Indeed there is no sadder sight in sport today than ex heavy weight champion, Muhammad Ali, who in his prime, was a truly beautiful and gifted athlete, who could "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee". Today he is a muttering, incoherent shadow of a man with a shuffling gait and permanent tremor in his limbs.

 

No matter how you view it boxing is unquestionably one of the most physically demanding contact sports. Boxers require superior levels of aerobic fitness, strength, muscular endurance and flexibility together with excellent hand-eye coordination, speed, reflexes and manual dexterity.

Until now boxing training has remained a relatively secret science, revealed only to the select few whose main aim is to compete in the ring. The traditional image is of an overcrowded, sweaty gym in a refurbished warehouse or factory, patronized only by men with leering eyes and bad intentions.

Gymnasiums and health clubs throughout America and now Australia are incorporating boxing training into a new and exciting format called "Boxacise". Many sporting teams are taking advantage of the principles and skills involved to supplement their pre and post season training. Most Australian Rules and Rugby League teams use boxing as a year round conditioner, warm up modality and mental toughener.

Boxacise is also useful for the average person wanting to increase his or her level of fitness, or add variety to an existing program. The advantage this form of training has over others is that it is a total body workout which also helps improve the motor skills required for superior sports performance. The speedball and floor to ceiling balls are particularly good for developing reflexes, lateral body movement and hand-eye coordination.

With Boxacise, there is no sparring so we can avoid emerging from a session with black eyes, blood noses and bruised egos. Unlike Marlon Brando our aim is to be "pretenders, not contenders" in the boxing stakes.

Boxacise training takes the form of a circuit involving the traditional boxing equipment including skipping ropes, speed balls, medicine balls, punching bags and floor to ceiling balls.

The work/rest ratio employed depends on the person's present level of fitness and proficiency with the equipment. The beginner may find it hard to maintain a rhythm with the speed and floor to ceiling balls.

For this reason it is worthwhile incorporating a few aerobic stations like cycling, rowing or rebounders to help elevate the heart rate and obtain a training effect. For beginners 2 minute work, 20 -30 second rest ratio can be employed.

For the more advanced who can work the various apparatus with a fair degree of skill, a slightly longer work and rest ratio can be employed, for example, a 3 minute work, 10 second rest ratio.

The Circuit

The circuit should be preceded by a 5 -10 minute total body warm up, paying special attention to stretching and loosening of the shoulders, lower back, calves and leg adductors.

There can be as many as 25 stations. An area the size of a squash court or slightly bigger is ideal. The order of exercise is not important but it may be advisable to alternate aerobic, upper and lower body exercise to avoid repetition strain of one particular muscle group -for example, bike, speedball, skipping, floor to ceiling, rebounder. Boxing mitts should also be worn to avoid hurting the hands and wrists. Before starting, let's see how we can best use each apparatus to satisfy our own specific fitness requirements.

The Speedball

This is an excellent way to improve hand-eye coordination and strength in the shoulders and arms. Boxers require shoulder strength to help hold their gloves up, throw punches and pull the hand back quickly for defense.

The speedball also has many other sporting applications and is used extensively in training by sprinters requiring faster arm action and by racquet sports players to improve reflexes, timing and hand-eye coordination. There are many different ways of using the speedball.

For beginners it is important not to be mesmerized by the ball's erratic movements. Keep your eyes focused on the ball, hands held at shoulder height and start slowly. Try and hit through the ball. You will eventually get a rhythm. As you become more proficient you will be able to increase speed.

The Heavy Bag

It is essential that boxing gloves be worn here to avoid jarring the hands. Commence with light, glancing blows employing the basic jab and straight arm punches. As you become more proficient, move on to other punches like the hook and uppercut. This is very taxing aerobic training if done continuously for the 2 -3 minute round. As you improve, experiment with various jab, hook, and uppercut combinations in a fast non-stop manner to help anaerobic conditioning.

It is important to have the correct stance so as to not waste energy. Stand with feet shoulder width apart, left foot slightly forward. Keep on the ball of your back foot. Your back foot will act as a motor, keeping you balanced and generating power. Your front foot will be like a rudder allowing you to transfer weight and force from the back foot.

The Floor to Ceiling Ball

This is an extremely difficult apparatus to master but excellent for speed, reflexes and lateral body movement. Don't be surprised if the ball springs back and hits you in the face on your first try. Remember you are working the ball, it's not working you. Attack it with a left jab and a straight right. (Right jab then straight left for left handers.)

The Light Bag

You can practice more forceful punches here. Punch in combination. Move around the bag as it swings. Try moving in close to the bag and punching rapidly in a milling type of motion. This is an excellent aerobic conditioner. Most of us have some idea how to skip from our childhood days. Use a similar shuffling motion of the feet and try to let your arms and wrists do most of the work. Beginners should start slowly here as the calves and ankles may suffer soreness from the jarring.

The most important thing to note about all this equipment is that it takes time to master. Don't worry if you can't seem to get the speedball, floor to ceiling and skipping going at a mile-a-minute. They all require a great deal of patience and persistence. You will feel awkward at first but remember -Stallone trained for years to reach his level of proficiency for the conditioning scenes in "Rocky".

Some Useful Tips

Boxing experience is great but not a necessary qualification for your instructor but he or she should be a good motivator who knows the various skills and is patient in teaching beginners the basics. It is important for an instructor to know how to structure a circuit to get the maximum fitness benefits. Your instructor should be totally aware that the focus is on improved fitness and coordination, not golden gloves status.

DO

  • Incorporate some abdominal exercises - for example, medicine ball sit-ups and some light weight training movements.

  • Include some rhomboid fly's to help stretch and strengthen the rear shoulder area which is often rounded by the typical boxing stance.

  • Wear boxing gloves or mitts for hand protection and have your own pair for hygiene. Strapping the hands may also be useful.

  • Warm up and cool down paying particular attention to stretching the shoulders, chest, leg adductors and lower back.

DON'T

  • Become frustrated

  • Try and emulate Sugar Ray Leonard on your first try. Your hands will come off second best.

  • Give Boxercise a go and put some punch and power into your exercise program. Many gymnasiums throughout the country now have Boxacise classes. In

Melbourne, former Australian Olympian, Des Duguid conducts classes at the Australian Boxing Academy and Northcote YMCA.

Tae-Bo

Tae-Bo-1.jpg

COULD AMERICA'S NEWEST FITNESS CRAZE BE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

A KICKING, PUNCHING NEW EXERCISE THAT HAS TAKEN THE US BY STORM HAS ITS FANS AND ITS CRITICS.

By Mike James

Australia has its fair share of sincere, neatly coifed presenters on late night television, enthusiastically endorsing everything from kitchen appliances and weight loss devices, to memory enhancement systems and fool proof ways to improve your golf swing. In America, however, with its abundance of cable television stations, infomercials absolutely saturate the airwaves. The fitness industry is a prime target for infomercial producers trying to promote the new 'must have' piece of fitness equipment, dietary supplement or exercise regime.

The newest fitness craze to sweep American is Tae-Bo. In the five years I have lived in the United States I have never seen as much publicity given to an exercise program or fitness product. The Tae-Bo publicity machine is not confined to infomercials. The tae-Bo publicity machine is not confined to infomercials. The creator of this exercise system, seven times world karate champ Billy Blanks, has recently appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today Show and nearly every other major program on broadcast television. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars have jumped on the band wagon with comedian/actor Sinbad, singer Paula Abdul and General Hospital star, Real Andrews, eagerly espousing the benefits of Tae-Bo. Add to this a list of devotees that includes Ryan O'Neal, Goldie Hawn, Pamela Anderson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Shaquille O'Neal and a host of others from the world of sport and entertainment

So what the heck is Tae-Bo? Basically it is a form of exercise which combines the skills, moves and drills of Tae Kwon Do and Boxing. What makes it different from boxing, kickboxing or other martial arts is the intensity and the variety of movements used.

Tae-Bo-2.jpg

Billy Blanks has created a work out system set to hip-hop music. A typical class lasts 60 to 75 minutes and provides both an aerobic and strength workout. The continuous movements, like kicking and combination punching, utilize large muscle groups and keep the heart rate elevated. The various boxing drills require strength and muscular endurance of the upper body as the arms are held at shoulder height. The Tae Kwon Do kicking movements require balance, co-ordination and leg strength.

Kareem Abdul Jabar is an experienced martial artist who has been practicing Tae Kwon Do for over 26 years competing at national level, and has a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois. He is one of only 16 instructors certified and approved by Billy Blanks to teach Tae-Bo. Kareem says that one main difference between Tae-Bo and other boxing based classes is that there is no equipment required. "You don't need hand wraps, gloves or heavy punch bags hanging from the ceiling. Tae-Bo classes are also low impact, effective and fun.

While Billy Blank's boxing and martial arts skill is obvious, it is his personal charisma which provides the main motivation. He has a great body, a personable manner and a teaching style that caters to people from all walks of life and levels of physical fitness.

"The classes are not combat or self defense oriented. You may learn a few things about how to punch or kick effectively, but this is not the main focus of Tae-Bo. It is just a great way to get fit and have fun," says Kareem.

But even with the avalanche of publicity and endorsement from Hollywood celebrities, Tae-Bo has its critics. Many fitness experts claim that these classes are primarily for those of advanced skill and physical condition. Others argue that it takes a solid foundation of flexibility, strength and endurance to attempt many of the complex movement patterns and rigorous punch-kick combinations. They also point to a number of potential problems with over crowded classes and lack of individual attention for members that could lead to serious injury.

The American Council of Exercise (AC E), a respected group of fitness professionals who set standards for the fitness industry, is concerned about the chance of injury not only in Tae-Bo but also in all boxing or martial arts classes . In a recent policy statement they listed the common mistakes beginners make in kick boxing style aerobic classes. These include "over extending kicks (kicking too high), locking the joints when throwing punches or kicking, exercising beyond fatigue and wearing weights or holding dumb-bells while throwing punches."

Many traditional martial arts experts are also concerned that some of the more elaborate kicks and punches are taught too quickly with very little emphasis on correct technique. Moves' like roundhouse kicks (where the person's leg circles high in a circular motion) often take six months to teach in a traditional martial arts setting. In some Tae-Bo classes beginners learn roundhouse kicks in the very first lesson. This type of kick places a great deal of strain on the lower back and hamstrings for even the fittest and most flexible of participants.

Billy Blanks and his organization are aware of these criticisms and have begun offering beginners classes at many of the health clubs where Tae-Bo is offered. Kareem is also aware of the problems that can occur with this type of class. "What sometimes happens is you have a person teach a class who may have martial arts or kick boxing experience. They may be great at teaching technique, but have no idea of exercise intensity. For them, everything is done at high speed with no thought for a beginner, or with an over emphasis on technique which can quickly bore a person who is just after a good workout. On the other hand, you may get a person who is knowledgeable in the area of intensity and exercise science but with little idea of how to perform or teach the skills", Kareem adds.

Organizations like the American Council of Exercise are not totally critical of classes like Tae-Bo. "The high intensity level that makes these classes difficult for novices is also what makes them an effective, rewarding exercise for the very fit," says spokesperson and chief exercise physiologist Richard Cotton. ACE also offers a list of safety tips for beginners thinking about joining a Tae-Bo or kick boxing type of class which include: picking a qualified instructor, avoiding over  crowded classes, going at your own pace if you are a beginner and choosing only a beginners class, not extending your kicks beyond flexibility and strength levels and not locking your arms when punching and your legs when kicking. Turn on your television set anywhere in America and chances are you will see Billy Blanks or one of his Hollywood pals practicing Tae-Bo. It is also beginning to make its presence felt in Australia. Give it a try. It may just give your exercise program a kick-start for the new millennium.

Mike James is Manager, Fitness Center, Health Services Department, The World Bank, Washington. USA.

Model Kitty Chiller. Photographs Lisa Saad. Garments New Balance

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian_Jiu_Jitsu-1.jpg

Since its debut at the ultimate fighting championships, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become the latest American Martial arts craze.

By Mike James

It is 2pm in the nation's capital, Washington DC. While George Bush is in the White House grappling with the world's problems, three blocks away two fit young men are on the floor exchanging wristlocks, arm bars and choke holds. This is not the scene of another street mugging.

These two white-collar warriors are in a fitness center practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the "newest" and some claim, the most effective martial art in the world. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been widely popular in Brazil since the 1950s, but has only recently come under the spotlight in the U.S.A.

Baby boomers here were brought up with a media saturated by rock em sock em movies, where good guy cowboys (like Roy Rogers in white hats) dispensed summary justice to evil "black hat" bad guys with a well-placed punch to the jaw!

In the 70s and 80s our world view expanded. Asian martial artists like Bruce Lee dispensed high-flying kicks and acrobatic moves with stunning effect.

In the mid-1990s The Ultimate Fighting Championships brought together martial artists, boxers, wrestlers and experts from all fighting disciplines into an eight-walled cage called the Octagon. We would find out "once and for all" which was the most effective fighting system.

At the end of the pay-per-view contest, it wasn't the high-flying martial artists, punchy pugilist or 117-kilogram wrist locking wrestler who won the day. Emerging victorious was a 76-kilogram Brazilian, performing an art called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

Royce Gracie dominated the first few Ultimate Fighting Championships against street fighters, wrestlers, boxers and a variety of martial arts styles. The methods Gracie used are based on ground fighting techniques, which rely on body position, leverage and control.

In America there are now many schools dedicated to teaching this martial arts system, and health clubs and fitness centers are starting to 'include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for its' self-defense and fitness benefits.

IDEAL FOR WOMEN

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn't just another gimmick to lure the trendy health club member searching for the eternal body beautiful, or the aspiring martial artist trying to be the next Royce Gracie. For women in particular, the techniques, which use leverage and body position rather than brute strength, make it very effective for escaping from an attack by a stronger, more powerful person.

Tracey Patterson a petite 54 kilogram 26 year old, who had previously studied kick-boxing, has been learning BJJ for a year. She feels that it has given her greater confidence. "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches you to counter moves while you are on your back and to use various escape techniques to either incapacitate or escape from an attacker," she says.

THE TECHNIQUES

BJJ is one of the few martial arts systems that teach techniques from a ground-based position. As most physical confrontations or assaults occur on the ground, it is here where its techniques can be particularly useful.

SOME OF THE BASIC POSITIONS

The guard: In this situation a person has been pushed to the ground and is on his back with his attacker on top. By wrapping his legs around the aggressors' hips and using leverage to control their upper body, the victim can use his opponent's superior strength against him leaving him winded and open for chokeholds and submissions.

Side control: (see photograph) By extending his legs to the side and bearing his weight down on the opponent underneath, a victim can control his attacker's movement by employing a head and arm lock to smother, submit and strangle him.

The mount: Here the victim maneuvers himself into a position where he is sitting on his attacker's chest with one leg either side of his torso. This effectively immobilizes the opponent underneath allowing the victim to strike, choke or to employ a wrist or joint lock for submission.

The back mount: From behind, the victim locks his legs around his attacker's hips and upper thighs. This enables him to use a rear choke hold and essentially immobilize a physically stronger person by restricting their hip and leg movement.

"The various techniques are based on strategy not strength,” explains Luis Alvarado who has been studying BJJ for over 10 years and teaching for five. "It is like playing chess, but you are using your body as the game piece." BJJ teaches a "flow" of movements intended to get a victim into a position where he has an advantage over an attacker. "The concept of flow is very important and the moves become instinctive through constant practice and repetition," says Alvarado. "This way a person will react to a threatening situation immediately without having to think about complex maneuvers.”

Will Brazilian Jiu Jitsu make its way out of the Octagon and follow Boxacise, Spinning and Pilates as the new "must do" class at health clubs? With personal safety becoming an increasingly important issue in today's society, self-defense disciplines will become more and more popular among people of all ages, male and female.

For information about BJJ clubs in Australia go to bjj.com.au.

Violent to the Core

Report by Mike James

KRAV MAGA, A BRUTAL BUT EFFECTIVE DEFENSE SYSTEM IS THE HOTTEST NEW FITNESS REGIME IN NEW YORK HEALTH CLUBS.

It is 12 noon in Times Square. We are in the heart, or should we say core, of the Big Apple, New York City. Three doors up from 90th Street on busy Columbus Avenue. a small third floor dance studio is the site for some violence and mayhem that even native New Yorkers would find unusual. While one of the busiest cities in the world goes about its normal chaotic routine. lawyers, professors, teachers and office workers are exchanging punches, eye gouges, head butts and joint breaking wrist locks.

These new Yorkers aren't arguing over a company takeover, negotiating a Wall Street stock deal, or debating the merits of Seinfeld's last episode. They are practising the Israeli self defense system known as Krav Maga.

Classes in Krav Maga are now being held in health clubs and specialist teaching academies in a number of American cities. But this particular self defence system isn't just another gimmick to lure the trendy health club member searching for the eternal body beautiful, or the martial artist trying to be the next Bruce Lee. Many police and law enforcement agencies are also learning Krav Maga to help subdue suspects without resorting to weapons, and as a self defence system for their officers. Average citizens are learning the discipline to improve their confidence in dealing with physically threatening situations.

Krav Maga (pronounced khrav ma-gaah) literally means contact combat. Originally created for use by the Israeli self defence forces, Krav Maga originated 40 years ago when its founder Imi Lichenfield, an accomplished wrestler and boxer, sought to devise a simple, yet deadly form of self defence. The style itself is a hybrid of techniques using punches from boxing and escape and submission ground fighting skills found in wrestling and jui jitsu.

Krav Maga teaches a beginner defences against punches and kicks and releases from bear hugs, chokes and shirt holds. When individuals become more confident and skilled, they are taught how to defend themselves against knives, clubs, guns and multiple attackers. At advanced black belt level, Krav Maga teaches strategies that deal with terrorist and hostage situations. Because of the deadly nature of these methods, Krav Maga is not considered a sport. It has no competitions nor is it suitable for tournaments like other martial arts.

Rhom Mizrachi, 30, principal instructor at the Krav Maga academy in New York. explains that the self defence techniques used are based on 5 major principles. First the style is designed around a person 's natural reactions. "We try to teach skills at the spinal level", he says. "That way a person will react to a threatening situation immediately without having to think about complex moves. It's no use teaching fancy high kicks to a person whose flexibility doesn't allow them to kick high."

Secondly, Krav Maga is not based on a person's strength and power. "A weak person should be able to beat a stronger person or a female beat a male if the correct techniques are used", Mizrachi explains.

Thirdly, a defensive motion is not executed without a countering offensive motion. "If you can avoid a threatening situation, by all means do so, but if you are cornered it's no good just defending, defence must combine with offence."

The fourth principle is fairly self explanatory. Attacks are launched at vulnerable areas such as the groin, knees and fingers. The fifth principal is not to use overwhelming force, only sufficient force to stop the attack and not cause disabling injury.

Katrina Koghe, 25, a keen cyclist and runner, began learning Krav Maga in 1995 after she learned about the brutal rape and murder of a female jogger in Central Park. "I had passed that area many times while doing my laps. I had also heard of 6 other rapes in that vicinity, so it got me thinking", Koghe says. She originally attended a weekend seminar on Krav Maga. After that she became so interested she is now studying to become an instructor. "It's a very easy art to learn and doesn't have the complex forms and many high flying kicks of other arts", she explains, "Krav Maga also has other benefits, It has increased my confidence and overall fitness level. My upper body strength has improved significantly and that has been a great help for my cycling and jogging,"

Haim Zout, 60, president of the Krav Maga Institute in Israel. is the highest ranked individual in this technique in the world, An amiable bear of a man, he has been teaching the art for 35 years, "It's not a pretty art", he explains, "It's designed to defend and attack in the minimum time required."

Even though Krav I aga is certainly not for the faint-hearted, health clubs throughout America are beginning to offer classes at beginner and advanced levels, People as young as 10 and as old as 72 attend the Krav Maga Academy in New York City, The continuous drills and emphasis placed on speed, endurance and co-ordination make for a great workout for people of all ages and levels of physical fitness.

Father and son, Rick and Matt Scheffer, have been learning Krav Maga for over 3 years, Rick, 45 and Matt, 16, look like a very average father and son, but their polite and courteous natures are forgotten once they begin practicing choke holds, joint locks and simulated eye gouges, They chose Krav Maga because of its emphasis on self defence rather than the sporting aspect. "It's a great way for us to do an activity together that doesn't rely on a lot of athletic ability", Matt explains, They had tried kick boxing before but were turned off by the emphasis on competing.

Haim Zout emphasises that the 'underlying philosophy is not one of all out attack to maim or hurt someone, "It is important to be a good person, and it's often better to walk away from a situation", says lout, a point he emphasises to all instructors and potential instructors, "If you are in an unavoidable combat situation, you should only use enough force to subdue your opponent, not to kill or maim them ," Nevertheless, attackers most often don't fight fair, so effective techniques often need to be very brutal. Hence the necessity for normally mild mannered people like Rick and Matt to practice lethal chokes and eye gouges, albeit in a simulated fashion.

During one of Haim Zout's demonstrations, a female student questions him about the effectiveness of a particular method he advises using if an attacker approaches with a club, "What if the attacker is huge and comes for you like this?", she asks, demonstrating a lethal downward swipe to Haim's head, Without flinching, Haim gently deflects the club by stepping in and pushing the "attacker's" elbow, Then within nano seconds, he simulates clawing the ╘assailant╒s╒ eyes with a scooping motion of the fingers, For such a big man, Haim's movements are cat like, resembling a child pushing its mother's hand away while scooping out some extra ice cream with its fingers, the attack is diverted effortlessly.

Will Krav Maga follow Boxacise, Spinning and Muscle Fitness as the new must-do class at health clubs? With personal safety an increasingly important issue in most big cities around the world, Krav Maga is becoming more and more popular among people of all ages, male and female, Over 100 police departments throughout America are now learning the discipline and Krav Maga institutes can also be found in countries in Europe and South America.

Mike James is Manager, Fitness Center, Health Services Department, The World Bank, Washington, USA.

Action Queen

By Mike James

The athletes' village at the recent Pan American games in Winnipeg Canada is testament to the old saying, “lt takes all types to make a world”.  The range and diversity of body types is a caricaturist's dream. Centre stage for this potpourri of physiques is the athletes' cafeteria where athletes from over  42 countries competing in 38 different sports feed the vehicle they rely on to take them to victory.

While bull necked weight lifters chow down on protein powders and anything that lies within reach of hand and mouth, lean, mean tri-athletes pile their plates high with pasta and anything that spells carbohydrate. Nearby, wasp waisted adolescent gymnasts pick at plates of salad, while fragile looking marathon runners gorge on proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Lisa Ling, Canada's reigning women's national middleweight karate \) champion walks confidently amongst this human grazing paddock of athletes from 42 countries competing in over 38 different sports. On first impression her lean, lithe limbed physique and striking good looks are more akin to modeling than athletic pursuits. While standing in line in the cafeteria, a fellow Canadian team member looks down from his 198 centimetre, 109 kilogram, discus throwing frame at the slim 167 centimetre, female in front of him. "What sport are you competing in?" he asks. "Karate", Ling replies. "Karate, eh? Does that mean you could kick my butt?" asks the smirking human mountain on legs. "Sure does!" Ling replies without a moment's hesitation. Suitably shocked and chastened by the confidence of Ling's reply, the discus thrower laughs nervously and wishes her good luck in the games. The next week Ling went on to win a bronze medal for team Canada.

It has been a very varied journey for Lisa Ling . Born in the tiny Canadian town of Kitimat, in north West British Columbia, she has been studying karate since the ' age of five.  She attributes this life long dedication  to her Malaysian born father Dr. Chee Ling's passion for the sport.

But my father always said “The pen and the sword must be in accord??, she explains, and with this advice firmly instilled, the ensuing years saw Ling become a pianist, lawyer and management consultant. She earned her law degree from the London School of Economics (as a Commonwealth Scholar) and studied piano under the tutelage of her mother, and then the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Ling pursued a career in management consulting after she found practicing law too constricting. "Too much thinking inside the box", she explains.

From a family of four girls, competition has been a way of life for Ling. All her sisters have been Canadian national karate champions at different times. She continues to compete with the hope that karate will be included as an official sport in the 2004 Olympics. But she is not about to return to law or management consulting when her competitive karate career ends. She is ready to embark on a career change that is as equally intense, exciting and competitive, one that will test every bit of her inner confidence and karate skills.

After auditioning in Hong Kong last year Ling has just landed her first major role in a martial arts movie called C3 fighters. The film to be made by Golden Harvest Studios, famous for producing the Bruce Lee movies, will be directed by one of Hong Kong's leading action film directors, Tung Wai.

Ling is hoping that her exposure in C3 fighters could lead to major mainstream film roles and is currently taking acting classes. "My aim is to become the next action queen" she says. "Major stars like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee were martial artists first and actors second.  Female martial arts star Michelle Yeow, is now in her late thirties. It's time for a new face,"  Ling says.

Ling maintains her slim, well defined figure with a rigorous fitness regime that includes running, muscular endurance work, karate drills, flexibility, yoga and meditation. Her workout program consists of an 'in season routine' when she is preparing for a specific karate tournament and an 'off season routine' to keep in good physical condition throughout the year.

In the off season Ling exercises five to six days per week, for two to three hours per day. A typical workout starts with a three mile run. Intervals of fast and medium paced running simulate the anaerobic energy requirements specific to karate. For strength Ling incorporates punching on the heavy bag and participating in muscle fitness classes or boxacise circuits which combine strength with an aerobic component. "I don't really like doing weights that much because in karate I am at the top of my weight category (59 kilograms) and can't afford to increase my muscle bulk", she explains.

Ling finishes her work outs with yoga. "This helps me remain flexible and supple and the meditation component is tremendously beneficial for my karate". In fact nowadays, mental preparation is the most important part of her training. "I have concentrated on the physical aspects for so long now that I can do all the moves and techniques the world champions do. The difference between being first and tenth at the elite championship level is whether you can be in 'the zone' on competition day and bring out the absolute best in yourself. When your mind is still, there are no thoughts flowing through and you operate on instinct with no conscious thought process involved . This way the various kick and punch combinations occur instinctively without hesitation or a second's delay." Fortunately, other than a few black eyes and fat lips which she says, "are part of the territory", she has not suffered any major injuries.

If you are a martial arts film aficionado, look out for C3 fighters, scheduled to be released soon. But remember, this dark Eurasian beauty is no model pretending to be a martial artist. Lisa Ling has real fists of fury. She is definitely a “contender, not a pretender”.