Latest news with #KravMaga
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hyderabad police launch all-women swift action team
1 2 3 4 5 Hyderabad: In a first of its kind initiative in the state, the Hyderabad city police has launched the Swift Women Action Team (SWAT). Comprising 35 women cops from different wings of the city police, the all-women team has undergone training in Krav Maga, a specialised self-defence technique developed by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), as well as in unarmed combat. The SWAT teams will be deployed during protests, dharnas, major public events, VIP movements and festivals across Hyderabad. In addition to law and order situations, they will focus on women during these events. After two months of rigorous training, the first SWAT team was inducted by Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand on Tuesday. After reviewing the SWAT team's demonstrations, Anand said that the team had received specialised training, along with specific instruction on how to safely detain and manage women during protests. The team will soon be expanded to two platoons, comprising a total of 42 members, Anand added. While the training primarily focussed on detaining or lifting women during protests, the team is also capable of detaining men during protests, as demonstrated during live training sessions. In addition, the team received training in general fitness, diet, and nutrition to maintain the level of fitness required for field deployment. Anand also reviewed the relocation of police buildings from the Goshamahal police stadium and the handing over of the land to the Medical department, as it was allotted for the construction of a new building for Osmania Hospital. The police department's offices, which were previously located at the stadium, will now operate from the adjacent 11.5-acre plot.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sagi Dovev: Training Israel's wounded to rise again
A look into a former IDF major's unpaid, unfettered mission to rebuild the nation's warriors. On October 7, while most of Israel was glued to the news and braced for the unknown, Sagi Dovev headed straight into it. It wasn't as a soldier, though once one of the IDF's most elite, but as a lifeline for the wounded. Since that fateful day, Dovev has been volunteering full time at Sheba Medical Center, training amputees, trauma victims, neurological patients, and released hostages – helping them regain not just strength but a sense of purpose. Dovev, an expert in resilience training, does not take a single shekel for his current mission. 'This is my duty,' he said simply. 'Everything in my life brought me to this moment.' As a former military careerist, Dovev has spent the past 20 years training elite units in Krav Maga and close combat. He retired two years ago, planning to bring the same resilience-building tools and techniques to civilians. Together with two fellow officers, he spent more than a year creating and developing SORTEAM – a company specializing in resilience training workshops. Contracts were signed and the launch was set. Five days later, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel. 'We were all called back to reserves. We had to close the company before we opened it,' he said. 'But I don't feel sorry. Life is what happens when you're making other plans.' When disaster struck on October 7, Dovev was on his way to his base when he received a flurry of calls informing him that his former unit had suffered casualties. He immediately turned his car around and headed for Sheba Medical Center. 'We had 10 officers die that day and scores more wounded,' he recalls. Dovev assisted however he could. 'I called their families, got them to surgeries, fed them, and helped them shower.' After two months, he was called back to base. He refused. 'I couldn't leave. I felt like I was needed,' he says. When wounded soldiers began asking to train again, Dovev stepped in, doing what he knows best: rebuilding warriors from the inside out. What started as one-on-one boxing and wrestling with his unit's wounded quickly spread to other units as well. Today, he trains between six to eight soldiers daily, customizing exercises around physical limitations and recovery. 'I want to make them feel like fighters again even in a wheelchair or on prosthetics,' he says. Dovev's path to resilience training has its roots long before his military service and career. As the son of a diplomat, he grew up abroad, living in South Africa, Germany, and the US, and often feeling like an outsider. 'In seventh grade in America, I was verbally and physically attacked for wearing a kippah. I was hospitalized, bruised, and humiliated,' he recounts. Despite the traumatic incident, Dovev claims it was the best thing that happened to him. 'It was in that moment that I decided no one is ever going to hurt me or anyone I love again,' he said defiantly. He began martial arts and went on to become Israel's national champion 10 years in a row. Later, he joined one of the IDF's most elite reconnaissance units – Sayeret Matkal. Continuing on that trajectory, Dovev started training the next generation of warriors and not just physically. 'It's not enough to train an 18-year-old to fight. You have to train their minds and make them believe,' he posits. 'I want to be the voice in their heads when things get hard.' Dovev now also documents many of his trainees' recoveries online. His Instagram has amassed a following of over 20,000 and has become a living archive of resilience. 'I barely sleep. When I am done training, I spend the nights editing and uploading their inspiring stories,' he said. One such video shows Michelle Rokbotzin, the most severely wounded female soldier from October 7. Shot seven times, including in the head, she lay bleeding for over 14 hours before being rescued and confined to a wheelchair. 'She was paralyzed. Now, after months of training, she's standing,' Dovev exclaimed. 'That moment when she stood up at the bars… that was an amazing accomplishment.' Another video features Dor Almog, the sole survivor of an RPG attack that collapsed a building in Gaza, killing 21 of his Givati comrades instantly. Having once trained Almog as an amateur MMA fighter, Dovev describes the shattered version who showed up in the hospital. A far cry from the fighter seen in his videos today. 'He was severely wounded. All his bones were broken, and he had burns practically over his entire body. He told me that the pressure and choking feeling that he remembered from our training helped him survive.' Today, they train together two to three times a week. Every few months, Dovev accompanies amputees to the US for prosthetics. Using his connections and often at his own expense, he assists in building presentations and arranging speaking engagements to share their stories. 'All the training I have done, the resilience building, it was all so I could be put in the right place at the right time. It fills me with so much privilege, honor, and pride that my life's mission matters and makes a difference,' he says. His dream going forward is multiplying that and continuing his resilience training. He aims to construct a permanent rehabilitation gym or dojo near Sheba. 'I want to build a community for our wounded warriors to train both amputees and able-bodied fighters.' He added: 'A holistic space where I can bring psychologists on board as well.' To do that, he needs help – financially, logistically, and publicly. You can follow more of his vital work and be in contact with him through his Instagram account at @sagidovev. In a country reeling from trauma, Dovev offers more than physical training; he offers proof that an all-encompassing recovery is possible. He doesn't simply rebuild bodies. He saves lives.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Judge restricts gun access for self-defense instructor charged with beating 2 women
Over a month after a Palm Beach County self-defense instructor was arrested on charges of beating two women, a judge set strict limits on his access to firearms. Maoz Muskal, 49, the owner of a Boynton Beach shooting club, is accused of putting his girlfriend in a chokehold, punching her best friend in the face and then dragging his girlfriend back inside their West Boca home by her hair in March, according to a probable cause affidavit. He has pleaded not guilty. 'I still hear the screams of my friend as he was choking her,' the friend said through tears Friday morning, standing in court across from Muskal and his attorney as she addressed the judge. '… I do not feel protected and struggle to understand how the community is safe.' Most domestic violence cases come with pretrial release conditions that forbid defendants from possessing firearms. But at Muskal's first appearance in April, a Palm Beach County judge signed an order allowing him to keep his guns for 'work purposes,' a decision that baffled the best friend and those close to her. Prosecutors then filed a motion on May 20 seeking to revoke his access to guns, saying the friend did not get a chance to be heard. On Friday, after listening to her emotional statement, Judge Lauren Burke amended the earlier decision, issuing an order requiring that Muskal only possess firearms while teaching at his facility in Boynton Beach during set hours. The issue of Muskal's access to firearms comes in the aftermath of a Tamarac triple murder in February, when Nathan Gingles shot and killed his wife, her father and a neighbor. His wife had a domestic violence injunction that required him to surrender his guns, including the gun he used the day of the shooting. Muskal, a former Israeli special forces soldier who goes by 'Commander M,' owns the gun club SSC Tactical, which offers training to law enforcement as well as civilians and teaches self-defense classes to women including Krav Maga and shooting techniques. Videos on the company's social media pages depict Muskal training people to shoot a range of weapons, including AR rifles and handguns. 'It is difficult to conceive of any justifiable reason why someone would need to train with assault rifles under the guise of self-defense,' the friend said in her statement. 'It is deeply troubling that this individual continues to instruct women in self-defense while his own partner remains vulnerable and unprotected in the face of his actions. The contradiction is not only alarming, it also dangerous.' Muskal's girlfriend, the other victim, declined to prosecute the night of the incident, telling deputies that she didn't want to get him in trouble. The two women are now on opposite sides of the case; the girlfriend was also present in the courtroom Friday, sitting beside Muskal. After the victim testimony, Burke questioned Muskal and his attorney, Patrick McKamey, on the specifics of when and where he needs to possess guns. McKamey explained that his client needs to be able to handle them to do his job, which includes teaching advanced SWAT techniques to individuals and groups, such as to law enforcement agencies. 'Law enforcement agencies are still hiring him when he has pending violent charges?' Burke asked, adding that the 'work purposes' justification originally provided is 'too vague, too inappropriate.' Later Friday morning, she issued an order specifically limiting Muskal's gun usage to his Boynton Beach facility during working hours, and requiring him to report his work schedule to the court every week. A case disposition hearing is set for June 9.
Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Insider
Sunny Woo Park blazes a new trail in martial arts
With groundbreaking leadership at Kombat Taekwondo USA, Sunny Woo Park is revolutionizing how martial artists connect, compete, and unlock their full potential. Passion Beyond the Dojang For Park (legally known as Kwon Woo Park), martial arts is more than a practice. It's a lifelong commitment to inspiration, growth, and unity. Through the influence of Kombat Taekwondo USA and Master Park's Black Belt America, he's reshaping what it means to succeed in martial arts as a discipline and as a thriving career. His vision is clear: unite divided Taekwondo communities, build a collaborative ecosystem, and give martial artists the opportunities and recognition seen in mainstream professional sports. And it's working. Kombat Taekwondo has rapidly expanded into over 110 nations, amassing a community of 1,000+ affiliated clubs and 1,400 trained referees, all within just one year. From Struggles to Success Park's story begins with humble roots. Growing up as the child of South Korean immigrants, he learned resilience and determination early. His family's first martial arts studio opened in 1989, even as his father faced the challenge of starting a business with limited English. By age 10, Sunny was already teaching students and running classes. Adversity struck in 1998, forcing his family to close their doors and give up their home due to tough financial times. While his father returned to Korea, Sunny's mother juggled multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. Undeterred, Sunny began to rebuild from scratch. He recalls, 'After hitting bottom, the only way is up.' By 2004, nearly a decade later, Sunny made good on his dream. Together with his wife and brother, he reestablished their legacy under the Kombat Taekwondo USA banner. Today, what started as a local endeavor now generates over $3 million in annual revenue, helping martial artists rise to worldwide prominence. Turning Dedication into Impact Sunny is more than just a leader; he's a top-tier competitor as well. Holding a 5th Dan Kukkiwon black belt and a Level 3 Krav Maga certification, he competes with the 2024 USA National Team. His business background, including a degree in Business Administration, gives him the tools to blend martial arts mastery with entrepreneurial excellence. His personal mission extends beyond medals and awards. Sunny focuses on mentoring students to develop discipline, courage, and confidence through martial arts. 'It's not just about skill,' he explains. 'It's about forming resilient, thoughtful, and empowered individuals.' Pioneering Innovation with RESPECT TOKEN A hallmark of Park's leadership is innovative partnerships, including his collaboration with RESPECT TOKEN. This initiative is redefining traditions, bringing greater transparency and inclusivity while giving athletes new avenues to succeed. 'RESPECT TOKEN makes it possible for Taekwondo to remain true to its roots and to expand opportunities for everyone in the community,' Sunny says. By fostering connection across diverse groups, this project embraces athletes at every level and helps open doors to international achievement. The partnership sets the stage for athletes to compete at events like the Olympics and represent their heritage worldwide, all while enjoying stronger support systems. Building a Vision for Tomorrow Sunny Woo Park's ambitions have no borders. He's planning 50 U.S. dojo locations by age 50 and expanding Kombat Taekwondo USA's global network. His strategy revolves around consolidating martial arts communities, creating a more unified and prestigious profession. Recent high-profile events in Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia have put top fighters in the spotlight, with goals to hold professional U.S. competitions in 2025. Park envisions a future where martial artists reach the same household status as global sports icons. Staying Grounded Despite his remarkable achievements, Park credits his loved ones for supporting him every step of the way. 'Value those who stand with you through hardships,' he advises. For Sunny, setbacks simply present new routes to success. 'The path may change, but persistence is always key.'
Metropolis Japan
22-05-2025
- Health
- Metropolis Japan
Best English-Speaking Gyms in Tokyo 2025
Looking for the best English-speaking gyms in Tokyo? Look no further than our roundup of the top spots in the city: Founded in 2013 by Australian business partners Nathan and Sam, Club360 is a comprehensive fitness center. It offers a variety of services such as fitness classes, personal training, physiotherapy, massage therapy and nutrition counseling to help individuals reach their wellness goals. With programs run by a team of Experienced and qualified professionals, we are committed to helping clients achieve the best version of their health, both physically and mentally. They have two facilities, with the larger one located in Higashiazabu (near Tokyo Tower) featuring a full-size boxing ring, fitness area, and sports massage room. Their boutique-style training facility in Motoazabu (near Roppongi Hills) is smaller. But it still provides personal training, group fitness classes, physiotherapy, boxing, and massage therapy. Members can choose from a variety of pricing plans, including single and multi-session fitness/therapy packages, open gym passes and children's fitness boot camps. Those who would like to make enquiries or book free trials can use the online contact form; alternatively, members can make direct bookings for services via the booking page. Please note that this facility does not accept National Health Insurance. Image credit: Gold's Gym With a network of over 700 gyms in 30 countries, Gold's Gym has become synonymous with weight training. It has 80 locations across Japan—including in Shibuya, Omotesando, and Ginza. This global favorite fits perfectly into your schedule. Most have English-speaking staff and are open from early in the morning until late night. Harajuku, Oimachi, Ginza, Gyotoku, Atsugi, and Omiya are open 24 hours—so you can train stress-free anytime. A variety of traditional and modern equipment is available, all suitable for both beginners and experienced lifters. Plus, the Japanese locations carry as many free weights as you'd find in any U.S. gym. Image credit: MagaGym At MagaGym, you can learn Krav Maga, the renowned self-defense system developed by the Israeli military that has become so popular that it's used by the FBI and SWAT teams across America. MagaGym's highly skilled black belt instructors will teach you how to defend yourself in a calm and focused way, through intense and oftentimes fun training programs. Krav Maga is built around our body's natural human reflexes, and teaches students of all ages, genders, and body types to defend themselves in real-world situations. MagaGym's fitness curriculum also incorporates heavy bag workouts and trunk training TRX exercises, which are great for keeping fit. So if you're looking to change your body and change your life, visit MagaGym, with locations three minutes from Roppongi Station and four minutes from Akasaka or Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. Prices Standard: ¥14,500/month (14 days per month)Light: ¥11,500/month (5 days per month)Daytime: (Mon-Fri) ¥9,500/monthEach course has up to 2 classes per day *Tax not included In central Tokyo, CrossFit Roppongi offer dynamic, high-intensity workouts tailored to all levels. Each 60-minute session blends functional movements—like lifting, jumping, and rowing—into ever-changing routines that keep both body and mind engaged. Certified coaches deliver personalized guidance, ensuring safety and progress, while fostering a supportive community through regular events like BBQs and hikes. The gym's sleek facilities offer amenities such as showers, lockers, and rental gear, making it easy to train without hassle. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a newcomer, CrossFit Roppongi invites you to challenge your limits and join a vibrant fitness family in the heart of the city. Located in Tokyo's Shibaura district, the Minato City Sports Center offers a comprehensive fitness experience across its eight floors. Visitors can swim in the 25-meter lap pool, train in the fully equipped gym, or attend various studio classes. The facility also features martial arts halls, indoor and outdoor running tracks, and courts for basketball, badminton, and table tennis. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Minato City Sports Center invites you to engage in diverse athletic activities in a welcoming environment. Orange Gym Rats brings a fresh, fun vibe to working out in Tokyo. Just minutes from Roppongi and Azabu-Juban, this gym blends serious fitness with laid-back style. You'll find top-notch equipment (including Japan's only 'infinite staircase'), friendly trainers, and cool extras like free protein shakes, infused water, and towel service every day. Orange Gym Rats keeps things relaxed but motivating, with a pet-friendly café where you can chill after your session. Whether you're training hard or just getting started, Orange Gym Rats makes fitness feel less like a chore and more like a lifestyle you'll want to stick with. Fitness Club Hiroo offers a well-rounded fitness experience for all levels, available 24 hours a day. The gym is fully equipped with state-of-the-art machines and free weights, ideal for strength training, cardio, and functional workouts. Members can join over 110 studio classes weekly, including dynamic options like Zumba, K-POP dance, yoga, Pilates, and core-focused training. For those seeking a deeper sweat, the hot studio—set at 38°C with germanium stone flooring—hosts sessions designed to boost flexibility and detoxification. Personalized training programs and body composition assessments help members stay on track with their goals. Fitness Club Hiroo blends energy, variety, and expertise to keep workouts engaging and results-driven. Total Workout is a personal training gym in Japan, offering customized programs designed to deliver maximum results in the shortest time. Their expert trainers, each having completed rigorous training, guide members through over 3,450 exercise variations tailored to individual goals and lifestyles. Utilizing advanced technologies like 3D motion analysis and exclusive equipment, Total Workout ensures efficient and effective workouts. The gym's holistic approach encompasses not only physical training but also nutritional guidance and body care, fostering sustainable fitness habits. With locations in Shibuya and Roppongi Hills, Total Workout provides a comprehensive environment for those seeking transformative fitness experiences. Intensity Matters is Tokyo's first outdoor functional training gym, offering dynamic group workouts that blend strength, cardio, and mobility in the fresh air. Led by experienced coaches, including CrossFit Level 2 trainer Allan Wooding, each 75-minute session keeps class sizes small—maxing out at eight participants—to ensure personalized attention and proper form. Workouts incorporate bodyweight exercises and basic equipment, focusing on real-world movement patterns to build strength and resilience. Located in Shirokane, classes run Monday through Friday evenings, with flexible credit-based pricing and no long-term contracts. Whether you're new to fitness or a seasoned athlete, Intensity Matters offers a supportive, high-energy environment to help you push your limits and enjoy the process. Nihon Barbell Club in Roppongi offers personalized training programs tailored to individual goals, whether it's fat loss, muscle building, or overall fitness. Their bilingual trainers provide one-on-one sessions, small group workouts, and bootcamps in a 270 m² facility equipped with squat racks, free weights up to 52kg, cardio machines, and a dedicated boxing area. Members enjoy amenities like towel service and a protein shake bar. For added flexibility, the club offers in-home and online training options, as well as short-term plans for travelers. With a results-driven approach and English-speaking staff, Nihon Barbell Club caters to Tokyo's international community seeking effective and personalized fitness solutions. UFC Gym Japan blends mixed martial arts with full-spectrum fitness to create a high-energy, results-driven environment for all levels. Their signature Daily Ultimate Training (DUT) sessions deliver intense, functional workouts that build strength, endurance, and agility. Members can dive into combat sports like boxing, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or mix things up with yoga and dance conditioning classes. Bilingual coaches provide expert guidance in a welcoming, English-friendly space. For families, the Junior Program combines fitness and English education, making it a standout option for kids. Whether you're training for performance or looking to stay active, UFC Gym Japan helps you reach your goals with purpose and power. In central Tokyo, CrossFit Roppongi offer dynamic, high-intensity workouts tailored to all levels. Each 60-minute session blends functional movements—like lifting, jumping, and rowing—into ever-changing routines that keep both body and mind engaged. Certified coaches deliver personalized guidance, ensuring safety and progress, while fostering a supportive community through regular events like BBQs and hikes. The gym's sleek facilities offer amenities such as showers, lockers, and rental gear, maki You might also enjoy reading: English-Speaking Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Services in Tokyo
