I hadn’t heard about its champions and pioneers, and most martial artists outside the TKD community with whom I spoke hadn’t, either.
I decided to rectify this by requesting an interview with Gloria DuBisette, who is known as “Doobie” to her teammates and friends. I found her championship background fascinating, especially because I’d been searching for African-American women who left a mark on the martial arts timeline in America but kept running into cold trails and brick walls.
I managed to find a few images of DuBisette from the 1970s on social media. Further research revealed that she’s taught classes at DC Gentle East Martial Arts in Washington, D.C., since 1975. I reached out in an effort to hear her story. In the conversations that ensued, she frequently used the word “we” when speaking about her experiences, and that’s always a good sign when a mover and shaker acknowledges the contributions of her teammates, I thought.
As DuBisette spoke, she reminded me of a proud matriarch or a family historian who keeps the clan together. It became clear that there was a much larger picture and story here. I learned that she is, in fact, just one of many women (and men) at Howard University who made history. They were gladiators at the collegiate level, martial artists who dominated the nation and went on to help popularize taekwondo. Little has been written about these titans and their collective contributions — men and women whose efforts spanned generations — until now.
Bu hikaye Black Belt dergisinin Black Belt Spring 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Black Belt dergisinin Black Belt Spring 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
HOW TO CREATE A MARTIAL ART CASE STUDY: COMBAT HAPKIDO
On October 22, 2022, the International Combat Hapkido Federation celebrated its 30th anniversary. As you might expect, we're proud of our organization's longevity, stability and success.
MARTIAL ARTS ANATOMY 101
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE LIVER SHO
LOCK UP
THE CLINCHING LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE ANCIENT GREEK MARTIAL ART OF PANKRATION ARE STILL RELEVANT - AND EFFECTIVE!
KILLER CHARACTER ACTOR
When Scott Adkins Isn't Headlining His Own Action Movies Like \"Boyka: Undisputed,\" He's Stealing Scenes in Blockbusters Like \"John Wick\" and \"Ip Man\"!
A DEEP DIVE WITH BENNY URQUIDEZ
Few fighters have a reputation as formidable and a record as impressive as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. As you will see, his path from the traditional martial arts to full contact and then to kickboxing had more than its share of bumps.
PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, PART 1
In my six previous columns, pre-emptive striking featured prominently.
THE DAY JUJITSU DIED
Let us look at one historical instance that illuminates a lesson in task saturation, or what Miyamoto Musashi called \"sword flowers.\"
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GUY MEZGER: FROM MMA FIGHTER TO HEALER
To be successful in mixed martial arts nowadays, you need an all-around game.
KILLER INSTINCT
It's not the size of the woman in the fight but the size of the fight in the woman.
HAPKIDO'S BONG SOO HAN: THE MAKING OF A MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND
Much has been written about Bong Soo Han (1933-2007), his career as a hapkido master and his connection to the Billy Jack films.