Liverpool’s Sue King has received her 8th degree Black Belt, cementing herself as one of the most prestigious Ju Jitsu figures in the country.
Teaching out of the Muga Mushin Ryu Ju-Jitsu Dojo in Norris Green, Sue has dedicated her life to the sport for 43 years. The Dojo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Upon receiving her latest award, King said: “I was like really? I don’t see myself as that rank. However, I understand the importance of the rank to show progress. The 8th degree Black Belt carries more than just a rank. It carries responsibility to show a code of ethics.”
“It shows students the importance of leading from the front. I know every student from children to adults personally. The belt means I need to do that even more now.
I train everyday, so there is pressure to keep the standard. I really am gracious for the grade but I will understand the role more further into the process.
It is important that you are a good role model, not just in the gym, but in life, and to do that, you need to train.”
Early Life:
Sue King began Ju Jitsu at an early age and has not looked back since.
She said: “It was something that I fell into as a teenager as I was bullied in school.
It was an outlet for my home life so it was a great release for me.”
“We used to walk onto the mat and you couldn’t talk to anyone, it was so so strict. Now it is much more relaxed which makes for a nice, friendly environment.
Ju Jitsu has evolved so much- over the years you can see how techniques have developed and how approaches have developed.
The goal is to help each other to grow.”
The Importance of Teaching:
King was ordained as a Buddhist Monk in 2014 and says she has a duty to look after her students, not just professionally, but also on a personal level.
“I feel my practice is to serve the local community and I want people to come to me for help.”
“Seeing quite, shy kids grow confidence and then teach classes of 30 is really rewarding. The most rewarding part is seeing people evolve and growing in confidence.
“We call our facility a dojo instead of a gym because it is a slightly different environment. So we hope this place is a calming space for everyone. If someone is unsure on how to meditate I teach them the way I was taught.
It is a very male- dominated sport so to be recognised with this accolade is just phenomenal. It carries a lot of weight and is something I am still getting used to.”
The Rise of Combat Sports in Liverpool:
The data above, from Fantasy MMAdness, shows the rise of popularity in combat sports (including Ju-Jitsu). The data shows that Liverpool rank seventh in the country for the number of combat sport gyms, with more than 1,100.
The importance of having gyms like Mushin is paramount for both exercise and a place to improve well being on a physical and mental level.
There has also been 28% increase of people going to combat sports gyms in the last year. Again, Liverpool are within the top 10 UK cities for this data, highlighting the increasing demand for combat sport activity.
This reflects the importance of people like Sue King, who teach students the fundamental skills of Mixed Martial Arts. She also emphasises the importance of building strong relationships with those who come into the gym.
Sue told me: “I know everyone student who walks through the door by name. I know what they need, if it’s meditation, training etc. I want students to feel like that this is a safe place as soon as they come in.”
Achievements:
Through her dedication and commitment to Ju Jitsu, Sue King has travelled across the world, and now has a strong connection with gym’s in Norway.
“The experience was phenomenal. It has become like an extended family. We try to go three or four times every year. They are all really welcoming and something I hope continues.”
The Liverpudlian has released a book named “The Warrior Monk Way” earlier this year.
She said: “The book is more about the psychological side of training. It is my thoughts and expressions of how we should live our life through Martial Arts.
“It’s been received really well. I have to be honest, when I had the physical copy in my hand, I was overwhelmed. I have always wanted to release a book because I believe our stories can change the world. If my story can change one person’s life, it would mean the world to me.”
The book is available to buy through Amazon and RAN Network.
Click on the link below to watch the full interview with Sue King on YouTube.
(Featured Image by Tia Martello)
