Our second ‘Warrior Woman’ is Yuenu and although her story is steeped in legend and folklore, references to her can be found in ancient Chinese documents. Her influence, particularly in the field of swordsmanship, is still felt today. Yuenu was renowned as the most famous and greatest swordfighter of her day. Her actual name is not recorded in history but she was known as the Lady of Yue or the Maiden of the Southern Forest. She first appears in the masterpiece chronicle “Commentary of...

The first in a series of articles compiled by Sensei Pam McMahon on the Warrior Women of Martial Arts. Sensei Pauline Bindra is an extremely influential figure in the world of karate. She was the first woman in Britain to grade to Shodan, she eventually reached the rank of 8th Dan and was one of the highest graded female practitioners of Shotokan in the world. Sensei Bindra was born on 8th January 1945 in Middlesbrough and began training in Judo at the age of 12. She first discovered Karate...