98-year-old woman earns Judo’s highest-degree black belt

Just two years before her 100th birthday, Sensei Keiko Fukuda has become the first woman to achieve a tenth-degree black belt—the highest rank in the martial art and combat sport Judo. Fukuda is now one of only four living people who ve earned the tenth-degree (or dan) black belt. To put the accomplishment into better perspective, throughout history, only sixteen people have ever achieved this honor.

Fukuda began practicing Judo in 1935 and is the sole surviving student of its founder, Kano Jiguro. At her teacher s urging, she learned English to help spread Judo internationally.

During a time when getting married, building a family, and becoming a housewife was the norm, Fukudo bucked tradition, opting out of marriage to pursue the martial art.

“All I did was Judo…this was my marriage,”" Fukudo reflected tearfully to the San Francisco Chronicle. “”This is when my life destiny was set. I just never imagined how long this road would be.”"

She described the Jiguro’s school, known as the Kodokan, as “”old-fashioned and sexist about belts and ranks.”" In fact, an edict that prevented women from achieving any higher than a fifth-degree black belt kept Fukuda at that level for thirty years. She was finally elevated to sixth dan in 1972 when a woman s division was created.

Fukodo said she approached Judo and her life with the intent to “”be gentle, kind and beautiful, yet firm and strong, both mentally and physically.”" Fukuda says this kind of beauty is decidedly not external. “”A compassionate soul is inner beauty,”" she explained to the paper. “”I believe this is true beauty…All my life this has been my dream.”"

Geo receives resolution draft signed by Punjab MPAs

LAHORE: All the members of Punjab Assembly were the signatories of a resolution against media passed a couple of days ago at the floor provincial legislature, this fact was laid bare in a signed draft of resolution received by Geo News Tuesday.

According to the document, a meeting was held at the Punjab Assembly’s Committee Room-A at 10am on July 8 with agenda set on the MPA’s ridicule at hands of media.

The 18 participants of the meeting included seven members of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), four from Pakistan People”s Party (PPP) and Forward Block each, two from Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and one MMA member also attended the meeting.

The 18-strong collusion decided to move a resolution against media to gag it.

Among the PML-N members were Chaudhry Waheed, Sanaullah Mastikhel, Amir Saeed Ansar, Rahila Khadim Hussain, Naveed Anjum, Col. Shuja and Shams Hyder.

The PPP members included Muhammed Abbas, Nargis Faiz Malik, Amina Buttar and Zulfiqar Gondal. The Forward Block’s Sheikh Alaud Din, Dr Tahir Ali Javed, Ijaz Shafi and Shaukat Aziz Bhatti attended the meeting against media.

The MMA’s Ali Hyder Noor Niazi also was in the meeting. Samina Khaver Hayat and Seemal Kamran were from the PML-Q in the meeting.

Ramday raps parliaments for protection of martial law

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court heard the petitions challenging certain clauses of the 18th Amendment on Tuesday.

A 17-judge full court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the case.

Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday in his remarks said the courts accorded temporary endorsement to the martial law rule, while the parliament provided permanent protection to it.

Earlier, petitioner Wahan Al-Khairi in his argument said various sections of the 18th constitutional amendment against the Islamic teachings.

Abdul Hafeez Pirzada in his arguments said 18 th amendment has changed the role of parliament.

Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday questioned whether the political parties not endorsed the martial law through the 8th and 17th amendment of the constitution?

He said deletion of the clause about elections in political parties an undemocratic step. He said the new electoral rules will hinder the holding of transparent elections.

Chief Justice in his remarks said assembly had passed a resolution on November 3,2008 measures instead of endorsement. The court has issued the notice to law ministry and attorney general on a petition file by civil society counsel Salman Akram Raja. Laterm the hearing has been adjourned till tomorrow.

Ex-Army Chief to Face Sri Lanka Court Martial

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka will face a court martial for ‘military offences’, an official said on Tuesday.

Fonseka, who was arrested by military police at his campaign office on Monday night, has been moved to an undisclosed military establishment ahead of court martial proceedings, the military official said.

“He will face a court martial even though he is not a serving officer,” said the official, who declined to be named. “The military law applies up to six months from the date of retirement of any officer.”

Fonseka, who lost to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the January 26 election, was arrested hours after he vowed to give evidence at any international probe into alleged war crimes committed by troops in the final stages of fighting against Tamil Tiger rebels last year.

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Ex-Army Chief to Face Sri Lanka Court Martial was first posted on February 9, 2010 at 3:50 pm.