...Sensei Keiko Fukuda

Sensei Keiko Fukuda makes me feel young and useless. She is 98 years old and has become the sixth person ever and the first woman to achieve a tenth-degree black belt, the highest rank in the martial art and combat sport Judo. Fukuda began practicing Judo in 1935 and is the sole surviving student of its founder, Kano Jiguro. At her teacher's urging, she learned English to help spread Judo internationally. In a time when getting married, building a family and becoming a housewife was to be expected, she opted out of marriage to pursue the martial art. "All I did was Judo...this was my marriage. This is when my life destiny was set. I just never imagined how long this road would be." I am not easily impressed, but this impresses me. I am a tad jealous as well and discouraged. I would have to dedicate so much of my life to this. I think you need probably 16-18 years plus just to get a regular black belt! If I start now I will be a yellow belt, I dappled when I was a kid, and I will be in my 40's or 50's when I get my black belt... Oy. I am giving Sensei Keiko Fukuda a Digit Up for making me feel blah.