- Title: Jiu-Jitsu martial arts training empowers Jordanian women
- Date: 24th May 2017
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (MAY 18, 2017) (REUTERS) STUDENTS TRAINING AT SOURCE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO VARIOUS OF FEMALE JIU-JITSU STUDENT FIGHTING WITH MALE STUDENT VARIOUS OF STUDENTS JOGGING AROUND THE STUDIO DURING CLASS VARIOUS OF STUDENTS DOING MAT WORK DURING CLASS VARIOUS OF JIU-JITSU STUDENTS PRACTISING MOVES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JIU-JITSU STUDENT, TAMARA ZOUBI, SAYING: "It definitely boosts your confidence. Knowing that if anyone grabs me, I can flip him, or defend myself, this definitely makes me more confident. Also, in general, every class we come to allows us to release all the negative energy pent up inside, you feel energised and happy." VARIOUS OF STUDENTS TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JIU-JITSU STUDENT, RIMA YACOUB, SAYING: "In the beginning there was a lot of pushback. My parents thought it was strange, but when they saw how attached I was, they were very supportive. People in the community react differently, some people are against this idea, but others encourage me a lot. In the end you have to do what you want and what is good for you." VARIOUS OF FEMALE STUDENTS TRAINING JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTOR, OMAR MADANAT, DEMONSTRATING MOVES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTOR, OMAR MADANAT, SAYING: "When women, girls and lightweights come they find that once they learn a specific technique they can defeat their foes, whether male or someone of a larger size. They can be successful if they train using proper techniques. This is what made this sport famous. As you can see, we make sure that women train with the men so that if, God forbid, they are attacked in the street, or forced to defend themselves, they will not be surprised at the strength of the man in front of them." VARIOUS OF FEMALE STUDENTS TRAINING AND PRACTISING MOVES VARIOUS OF JIU-JITSU CLASS IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 7th June 2017 16:06
- Keywords: Jordanian women self defence mixed martial arts Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Mixed Martial Arts,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016I73VBP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A group of Jordanian women are learning self-defence and martial arts techniques at a Jiu-Jitsu fitness studio -- and even fighting against male opponents.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defence martial art based on locks and choke holds, and is open to both men and women at The Source Studio in the capital Amman.
The sport appeals to women as it is built on the premise that a lighter smaller person can successfully defeat a stronger opponent by using certain techniques and leverage.
Student Tamara Zoubi said she was initially introduced to the sport when she took her son to classes a few years ago.
At the time, she was too intimidated to join as there were no women taking part.
She finally decided to try out a class, and said she now feels stronger and more confident.
"It definitely boosts your confidence. Knowing that if anyone grabs me, I can flip him, or defend myself, this definitely makes me more confident," she said.
Rima Yacoub, a 33-year-old fighter, earned a blue-belt in Jiu-Jitsu - the second adult rank in the sport, signifying that she is proficient in many of the fighting techniques.
But despite her achievements, she still gets mixed reactions as a female fighter in a male-dominated sport.
"People in the community react differently, some people are against this idea, but others encourage me a lot. In the end you have to do what you want and what is good for you," she said.
Jiu-Jitsu instructor Omar Madanat believes the sport is ideal for women, as it enables them to feel more empowered and protect themselves.
"We make sure that women train with the men so that if, God forbid, they are attacked in the street, or forced to defend themselves, they will not be surprised at the strength of the man in front of them," he said.
Trainers at the Amman studio say they currently teach over ten women, and hope that number will continue to increase as the sport gains popularity with women. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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