By coincidence it was around this time that the ‘second wave’ of the women’s equal rights revolution
began to run its course in the west and spread across to the east where Japan adopted similar principles.
Although it is not known who was the first ever female Karate-ka, there have certainly been notable
exponents across the globe who have made a name for themselves in amongst the ranks of the
world best.
Its seems strange to think that even 50 years ago there were no female Dojo instructors, black belts
or even beginners! It is not until you think like this that you can fully appreciate and understand the
magnitude of the journey of incredible women like Sensei Linda Marchant and other countless females involved in Karate across the world. Each Karate-ka has their own story and each one has
been an integral part to changing the belief that Karate was only a man’s world, when today we know
that it is certainly not.
IOGKF International has many, many outstanding female martial artists across the globe and Sensei
Linda Marchant is the fantastic role model to which they can aspire too. IOGKF International proudly
shares a summary of Sensei Linda’s personal journey as a tribute to her achievement.
Born on the Isle of Wight, at the age of 10 her mother took her to Judo classes in
hopes to tame her energetic nature. After 8 years she began training in Wado-ryu Karate as a more traditional training approach appealed to her. Sports of any kind attracted Sensei Linda and while playing rep hockey in London, she decided the facilities in the capital where going to help her achieve the next level. She found Goju-ryu
and trained with Sensei George Andrews and combined with her other activities was
exercising up to three times per day. She went on to win National, European and International championships. Two days before her 5th Dan grading Sensei Linda snapped
her Achilles tendon, but this wouldn’t stop her determination and she recovered to become the IOGKF’s leading female exponent and in 2013 achieved 7th Dan Black Belt,
the first women to ever do so. Now a senior instructor in the EGKA, Sensei Linda has
become a role model for both male and female members world wide.