ExSoldier762 said:
Competition martial arts? Any real world encounters? Find out right quick what really works on the street. For that matter has she ever been victimized in any way...even a burglary of the family (your) home?
ExSoldier762: Good point, Sir. When I reread my original post, I realized I should have inserted a period or two in that run-on-sentence. What I meant was that for a 26 year old female, she does think about "security" ("pretty good"), not that her "six years" of martial arts would suffice or be "pretty good". My mistake, Sir. She does think about safety in the downtown parking garage, at her condo, and other types of situations (i.e. "pretty good") In my mind, she is unprepared more often than not, and that is why I pursue coaching opportunities when available. Its also why she carries the OC I bought her. I am still trying to interest her in pistols, though.
As a matter of background, she was ready to test for her first level black belt when a broken ankle interrupted, followed by the "demands" (academic and social:danceban: ) of college. She competed at the US Nationals for five years prior to that, under the TKD NGO. She won the national title in sparring two years running in her weight and age class. During local and regional events (sanctioned, refereed, umpired and judged), she broke one competitors femur (through the protective pads), and another competitors jaw (through the helmet padding). The training she underwent was full-blown fighting training, with full contact using appropriate protective gear.
Now, we both know, in the real world that doesn't count for very darn much.:embarassed: What she did have, however, was the retained muscle memory two years later, when upon exiting the Paris Metro late at night, three Parisian teenagers accosted and attempted a molestation, purse snatching or worse. The ferocity of her attacks against the three resulted in three battered and bleeding boys in the gutter, while she ran to a nearby hotel. Later examination (and a great souvenir), showed she had nearly flattened the band of a ring worn on her right ring finger against one of the boys face.:image035:
Other real world encounters have been non-existent as far as I know.:frown: None with her family. We have traveled a lot in lesser developed countries, and I was constantly the embarrassing/stupid/boring dad warning her about the BG's, BG scenarios, etc.
I digress, but I did want to let you know more of the facts, and correct my inadvertent butchering of the English language.
Even now, with her 26, I still try to gently prod her into maintaining a higher alert level when I think appropriate. She does stay aware most of the time, and stays away from dark parking lots, etc., but, she's my first-born, and I still worry sometimes. :tumbleweed: Feels pretty natural.....