Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim
Besides for a few cooers of gender equality, a woman’s day among Dhaka dwellers is no less challenging than a battleground. Even though Dhaka is gradually opening up arenas for self-defence classes, there’s a lot that needs to be done to rope in more women. With kickboxing, mixed martial arts, karate and fencing – read on to discover the plusses of being a woman who can defend herself in the throes of danger.
Her Steely Stance
Sticks and stones can no longer break her bones. As we move towards the hall, we hear a powerful menacing voice of a woman. Kiai could be heard from the far end of the corridor. Whilst Sensei Arifur Rahman welcomed us to Kyokushin Bangladesh, we spotted her crashing a male combatant hard on the ground. As he leaped back up, she threw him back without a fold on her forehead or a wrinkle on her white Karate Gi. Drawing near an unanticipated meek voice broke the ice, “The misconception that women cannot compete with men physically is a myth. Training and resilience can groom us to become as strong as steel.” Holding a black belt in Karate, fashion designer Taslima also revealed self-defence freed her from constant fear and insecurities. “I feel secure even when travelling late nights by myself,” she professed fearlessly.
Furthermore, the courteous Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan revealed more.
“Nothing ensures fitness like Karate does. From tip to toe, it intrigues all the senses of our body. Let alone unshackling our physical limitations, it also rids the fear that nestles in our minds.”
Under his watch, we noticed young women budding from the branches of Karate through their beginner lessons. While highlighting the female proportion he asserted, “A relative increase of girls learning Karate is observed in the last few years.” However he feels the hype of karate isn’t the same as before, “Our children grew up watching martial arts and karate drills on national television, and got inspired from Bruce Lee’s action movies. Unfortunately, these trends are slowly losing their charm.” He feels improved adaptations of such programs should be highlighted through the media. Sensei held the government responsible for its ignorance concerning the endorsement of martial arts in Bangladesh and disparaged its vague efforts and faux promises
Kyokushin Bangladesh
50, Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan 1
Contact 01715489709
Her Mighty Guise
On the doorsteps of the Bangladesh School of Martial Arts, we find women’s potent and headstrong demeanour. Hashi, the bronze medallist of Wako Asian Kickboxing Championship 2012 expressed, “To know how to protect myself liberates me from my subconscious psychological limitations. My doubt or helplessness no longer consumes my abilities.” Her Sensei Mustafizur Rahman admired her strength, “Since our safe haven is no longer absolutely secure, women should rely on no one for their refuge. Regardless of their backgrounds, family and social status, self-defence is a basic need for women.” It is time to shatter the fragile and feeble persona with her solid punch!
While Hashi claimed to be fortunate to have her family’s moral support, Nipa, another student, rivalled against her loved ones in the beginning of her training. “For two years, I hid the hard work I was doing from my family until I was ready to take part in a tournament,” spoke the true warrior.
The visionary Mustafizur recommended people to learn and practice karate from their early schooling days. “Be it Karate, Martial Arts, kickboxing, Taekwondo or Muay Thai, along with physical education and sports, ways of self-guarding should be commenced in the curriculum to halt regular unpleasant occurrences,” he advised. In his past two decades as a trainer, he has trained girls from remote areas of Bangladesh which now aided them to stand tall and proud. “Learning 10 basic self-defence techniques could be your last resort at that moment of peril,” he adds. However, the societal view of having girls learning self-defence is a barricade to their growth. “The clichéd mindset of doubting its necessity and considering it unladylike are major reasons why many girls decide to quit training,” says Mustafizur. Nevertheless, with his hopes flagged high, his methods are unwavering to awaken women from the delusional slumber of safety.
Dare or Die
- Know the weak spots and dead spots of the body. Weak points are nose, eyes, groin, shins, etc.
- Gauging, poking or scratching the attacker’s eye can cause him a lot of pain.
- A strike under the nose can cause bleeding immediately.
- A two-handed ear slap can rupture the ear drum which is extremely painful.
- Striking the flat of the forehead forces the head back with little resistance and causes a concussion or worse.
- One knuckle punch on the temples can cause concussion, haemorrhage, or even death.
- A kick on a knee can handicap the attacker disabling him to move.
- Using objects such as a key chain, phone or even a pencil to defend is always better than a free hand combat.
Bangladesh School Of Martial Arts
House 110/A, Road 27, Banani
Contact 01715251206
Her Feisty Flame
Whoever said combating is men’s trade did not see Suchi warming up with kicks and pounds neck to neck with men. Creative manager at an ad firm, her bold and feisty spirit caught our eyes just as we set foot on the raw grounds of KO Fight Studio. As we embarked into the venue, the stern Sensei Abdullah Mohammad Hossain was seen prepping her. He elucidated, “Kyokushin Karate is implied for stand ups and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is entailed to ground techniques building a bulwark for women.” He states that the methodological fighting has rules and fouls whereas everything is allowed when survival is at stake.
Suchi’s determination is strictly intrinsic and her drive is motivational. “My husband always encouraged me to learn self-protection and my family has been supportive throughout,” rendered Suchi. However, Sakina, a lawyer and a lecturer advocated, “I considered learning mixed martial arts as I reckoned education and a career cannot be the only markers of an empowered woman.”
Every year KO Fight Studio organises a seminar for young girls with the objective to coach preliminary tactics of self-defence. “Even though the response is positive, the members lack dedication,” he commented. He sadly mentions that people view self-defence secondary to cooking and stitching. For preoccupied schedules he suggested ten classes, two hours each consisting 12 techniques to learn fundamental reflexive techniques. Before leaving, Sensei said that the members should strike first instead of waiting for the opponent to attack.
KO Fight Studio
House 88, Road 17/A
Block E Banani
Contact 01924999000
Her Stubborn Spirit
We spotted a horde of white knights, or fencers as they are known, on the grounds of Mirpur Indoor Stadium. Their unbendable spirits, shining bright with the white armour on and a pointy sword drawn unswervingly towards her foe was a sight worth staring at. The rain that seized the city could not deter them from mastering fencing.
The very basics of fencing (launch and parry) can grasp or arrest the aggressor with a swift hold and natural flexibility. “It is a game of brains and stamina. Thus being alert is the key to remaining on your toes,” Mou a regular fencer shared. When the purpose centres on shielding her from mishaps, fencing serves better than any other forms. “In fencing, predicting the attacker’s moves keeps us alert on the streets. Plus, grooming with weapons such as sticks and swords give us an upper hand on safe-guarding,” she summarized. Likewise, the dynamic coach Rezaul Karim Asad of Bangladesh Fencing Association is happy to see the increase in female participation and is expecting more women to join in.
Ladies, this is your chance to go out there and show them what you’ve got!
Mirpur Fencing Club
Mirpur 10
Indoor Stadium
Contact 01922340540
Touché
- Considering fighting to be ‘unladylike’ is the same as considering male chefs to be ‘unmanly’.
- If learning kickboxing or martial arts is aggressive then so is chopping skills.
- If being treated by a male physician is acceptable, so is learning karate from a male Sensei.