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SMAI's Martial Arts and Fitness Series Presents: Lunch Box - Go Ahead, Get Feisty! Wednesdays, Sept. 3rd - Oct. 8th, 2008 Fridays, Sept 5th - Oct. 10th, 2008 Expert instruction by a woman for women! You will feel the difference immediately. Increase your cardio-capacity, strength, balance, coordination, mental focus, look better, feel better and have fun! 6 classes $149 12 classes $225 To ensure that you receive the attention that you deserve, class size is limited to 8 people. |
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| A Woman’s Right to Fight |
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Imagine fighting fifteen consecutive full-contact fights. Now imagine doing it again. And again. And again. On October 9th, 2004, Sensei Michelle Gay fought sixty one fights in her quest to become the first woman on record to complete one hundred bouts against other women. Though severe leg cramps prevented her from reaching her goal of one hundred fights, she did reach another goal, one even more dear to her. She brought together twenty-seven women to participate in this event, showcasing the diversity, skill and spirit of women in the martial arts.
Sensei Michelle’s “A Woman’s Right to Fight” event was a long time in the making. After a career which included many knock-down tournament championships, as well a number of victories in semi-knockdown fighting and in kata competition, she was in search of further challenges. The model of the traditional one hundred-man kumite, a rite of passage for some of the best karate fighters of the past sixty years, stood before her as a new height to strive for. As she considered attempting this feat, she began to see it in a different light -- not only as a test of her own mettle, but also as an opportunity for other female martial artists to demonstrate their fighting ability and determination. An undertaking such as this, which calls for endurance, strength, and fighting skills, as well as both mental and physical toughness, is not entered into lightly. Sensei Michelle, a third degree black belt in karate, began training especially for this event many months before the scheduled date; her training included a carefully calibrated running program, bike riding, bag work, and two weekly sessions with experienced coaches of tournament fighters. In addition, she taught a full schedule of karate classes, as well as taking class with other instructors on most days. While attempting to fight one hundred consecutive fights requires tremendous stamina, training for such an ordeal requires a different sort of stamina. Month after month, Sensei Michelle drove herself, keeping her gaze fixed on her goal. Month after month, she ran in the rain, was too exhausted to eat, got up early and went to bed late, endlessly repeated fighting combinations, trained with a broken toe, a sore back, a sprained ankle. She fought whenever and who ever she could, sparring with men, women, beginners, other instructors. Such effort over an extended period is often a greater challenge than the event itself; it refines one, hones one to an edge, tests one’s spirit. As news of the planned event spread, many female martial artists expressed interest in participating. Some were experienced tournament fighters, black belts with years of training behind them; they sought some hard fights, further challenges, a chance to showcase their hard-won skills. Some were aspiring fighters, women who had been training for a few years and felt ready to test themselves against a tournament champion. And some did not think of themselves as fighters, but were drawn by a desire to be part of such a historic event. What all of these women shared was a sense of camaraderie. As females training in a traditionally masculine art, all of these women were eager to support another woman’s historic quest, and to show what they had gained from their own training, as well. The women who assembled on October 9th were a diverse group indeed. They came in all shapes and sizes, and ranged in age from sixteen to fifty nine, and in rank from beginner to fourth degree black belt. They were practitioners of various styles of karate, jujitsu students, and a muay thai fighter. There was a lawyer, a photographer, a social worker, and a bartender, various health professionals, a couple of dancers, and a few students. They had one thing in common: their training in the martial arts had become an important part of their lives, a part that they wanted to celebrate. And there was Sensei Michelle. Superbly conditioned, strong, ready for the challenge, she was also nervous, apprehensive. How could she not be? Many people had worked to help make this event possible, twenty-seven women had trained and prepared to share the day with her, representatives of the media were there to record the occasion, and an enthusiastic audience of martial artists awaited. Pale and determined, anxious yet eager, she waited through technical delays and late arrivals, preliminary demonstrations and an explanation of the rules of engagement. By the time she faced her first opponent and the referee’s cry of “Fight!” rang out, she was desperate to begin. Twenty-seven different women, each bringing to the ring her own combination of physical traits, emotions, fighting skills, favorite techniques, motivations. Twenty-seven fighters, each seeking to show her spirit and ability. Twenty-seven martial artists, each fighting hard and with pride, each a bringing a piece of her heart and soul to the mat. And Sensei Michelle, winning one fight after another, seeking to adapt to each new opponent, fighting each woman at the upper limit of that woman’s ability. As the afternoon wore on, woman after woman came off the mat amazed at the power of Sensei Michelle’s blows and also amazed at her own power. Women who had felt trepidation at the prospect of fighting such a strong tournament champion were exhilarated and proud after their fights. Women who were seasoned warriors and had looked forward with eagerness to matching themselves against Michelle Gay found themselves feeling respect for Sensei Michelle as well as a sense of satisfaction at having fought hard and well. The fights were spirited, enthusiastic, and clean, with all participants doing their utmost to avoid fouls. Indeed, many observers noted that Sensei Michelle, when fighting less experienced fighters, several times refrained from making full contact with kicks to the head, though such contact was within the rules. Though it might have brought her an easy win, Sensei Michelle, mindful of the true spirit of the day, was able to temper strength with compassion and avoid injuring her opponents. There was a brief intermission before the fiftieth fight. Up to that point, Sensei Michelle had won the vast majority of the fights and was looking energetic and strong. Dehydration and intense leg cramps had set in, however, and medical personnel worked feverishly to enable her to continue. Though hobbled and in pain from the cramping, Sensei Michelle returned after the intermission to continue her quest; these fights were of a different sort, grittier and more difficult to watch. Here we saw the mental toughness and inner strength which can be gained through focused, long-term training – with her body giving way under the onslaught, Sensei Michelle was yet able to persevere on pure determination, fighting another eleven fights before collapsing, no longer able to stand. Though she did not complete one hundred fights, Sensei Michelle was nonetheless victorious. She trained with complete dedication for six months, achieving the fitness level of a world-class athlete. She fought sixty-one full contact fights, winning the majority of them – something few people, male or female, have ever done. And she created an opportunity for people to experience the courage, skill and spirit of which female martial artists are capable. |
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Michelle's final round in the AUSKF Iaido Nationals I flew to Cincinnati to participate in my first AUSKF National Iaido Camp, which included Seminar, Taikai (tournament) and Shinsa (testing). After two days of instruction and practice under the tutelage of the top Senseis in America, I took a stab at testing and competition. In the evening, I bonded with my sword mates over dinner and drinks. Very civilized. |
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