CHINA'S TOP TAEKWONDO OFFICIAL ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION

By Martial News Reporter

A TOP Taekwondo official has been arrested by the Chinese Police for alleged corruption.

Zhao Lei, 51, was arrested according to The Beijing Times due to "economic irregularities", an explanation often used when a person is claimed to be possession of cash and valuables that they cannot account for.

Lei has seen China's TKD team win at one gold medfal at each Olympic Games since Taekwondo was officially included in the event in 2000.

Xinhau, China's official news agency, did not give any details of the accusations facing Lei and the country's sports ministry did not know the reason why he was arrested.

With the 2012 London Olympics due to start within months, it is feared that that the arrest and possible conviction of Lei could have a detrimental effect on the country's TKD team's morale.

Chang Jianping, director of the administration of Chinese Boxing and Taekwondo, denied it would affect the team.

He said: "Zhao’s arrest will not affect the country’s preparation for the London Olympic Games, the games are so important for us and we will not let anything affect our preparation.

"We have already designated someone else to replace Zhao Lei."

Lei has been a member of the World Taekwondo Federation judging commission since 2000. He is also the General Secretary of the China Association and vice-president of the Asian Taekwondo Union.

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EXPERT CLAIMS MMA IS LESS RISKY THAN ICE HOCKEY

By Martial News Reporter

AN injury expert is challenging the perceived wisdom that MMA is more dangerous than other sports.

Dr Chad Ball was sceptical of the Canadian Medical Association proposal for a ban on the sport last year.

He has previously carried out studies on equestrian sports that showed that in Canada its 40-odd year old men riding cowboy-style who commonly get injured. While is Australia and New Zealand its young female riding English style.

The medical profession had stated its girls who are more likely to be injured and the study showed perceived medical wisdom is not always correct.

Canada has a booming MMA scene which saw 55,000 fight fans flock to UFC held in Toronto, Ontario, in April.

Dr Ball and colleague surgeon Dr Elijah Dixon wrote a response to the CMA in the Canadian Journal of Surgery. 

They argued that the CMA's ban proposal was based on "emotion, not evidence". They also pointed out there had been no long-term studies from which to draw sound conclusions.

The best data available shows fighters get a concussion in three per cent of matches.  It also showed that one quarter of all matches are stopped due to shots to the head.

The two doctors also asked eight trauma surgeons at the hospital they work at - Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta - whether they ever admitted an MMA fighter and none ever had despite working on 1,100 severely injured patients within 12 months.

The two doctors wrote in the medical journal: watching MMA "is viscerally uncomfortable", but that was not an excuse for the sport being banned.

"We suspect that if MMA were as visually pleasing as horseback riding, or as internationally accepted as rugby, or as financially substantial as professional football, there would be more acceptance of the sport."

He believes NHL ice hockey is a more dangerous activity: "I'd be willing to bet that the concussion and severe traumatic brain injury rate is higher, yet we're not banning hockey."

The two doctors have now requested data from Canada's National Trauma Registry. The database they have requested will be searched for MMA injuries.

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PUNCH BAGS IN SUBWAY STATION TO STOP STAFF ABUSE

By Martial News Reporter

HUGE punch bags have been installed at a subway station to stop irate commuters taking their frustration out on staff.

The wrap-around-bags were supplied by Adidas at the Xujiahui subway station in Shanghai, China, following abuse directed at members of the train company.

Above the giant bags are signs saying: "Every year you have to wait on the platform for about 1,824 minutes.

"Don’t waste your time, come and have a punch to relieve some tension!"

Local TV stations filmed the commuters having a go at the bags. The public questioned said the bags were a good idea.

Not long ago an airline began teaching its staff the art of Wing Chun after a rise in air rage.
 

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BOY KARATE PUNCHES MAN WHO GRABBED HIM