Chinese women are usually thought of as being docile and tender, but this reputation might have to be modified in light of their recent success in international karate competition. The three competitors from the Republic of China at the Second World Games in London this July returned home with two silver medals and a bronze. At the first International Women's Karate Cup Championships this October, which featured competitors from Japan, Australia, Europe and the U.S., Wang Kuei-yuan won a gold medal while Yao Li earned a silver. Taiwan's female karate experts are now considered on a level with those in Japan, and if karate succeeds in becoming an event in the 1992 Olympics, more than a few people will learn about the Republic of China's prowess.

Such confidence is not without foundation. Entrants in the World Games, which had four categories (1st, 2nd, 3rd weight classes, and form), had to be ranked in the top eight in the world to qualify. While Taiwan is not yet king of the mats, her competitors certainly rank among the world's elite. Yao Li lost in a narrow decision for the championship in 1st class (53kgs and below), for example, despite being fouled and bloodied by her French opponent.

International rules regarding blood have relaxed in recent years. In the past athletes that bloodied or injured their foes sometimes lost on that account, but now gentlemanly restraint may spell a losing game. Wang Kuei-yuan recalls being beaten silly by a European until she remembered she was there to attack, not be attacked, recovered and won the match. Her performance in 2nd class (53-60kgs) slipped a bit this year in the World Games, which she blames on unlucky draws and injuries (a leg operation and a bad shoulder).

Injuries are not uncommon in karate. Gauze and tape are in abundance at any competition and practice session, and blood is a frequent sight. This summer Yao and Li Yu-p'ing had a sparring session. Yao left with a cracked rib and Li was unable to speak for a week, owing to a blow to the throat. Coaches now pay much closer attention to such mishaps, insisting on immediate treatment and the donning of protective gear in practice. Other tips for safety include correct form and maintaining proper distance.

Karate in Taiwan has seen rises and dips in its popularity. Taichung was the first center of karate fever, and 1200 people are now enrolled in classes, most of the students being of high school or college age. When the Taipei Karate Association held self-defense classes for women, karate was quite popular in Taipei. Li and Yao received their initial training then, and thousands of people nightly practiced kicks and parries. Enthusiasm has since flagged, however, and currently only 400-500 people are enrolled in classes in the Taipei metropolitan area.

Conditions are less than ideal in Taiwan for being Chinese, female, and interested in karate. Serious students, willing to give the sport a long-term commitment, are few. Instruction in the schools would give the sport an enormous boost, but the Ministry of Education would require considerable pressure in order to make such a move. Moreover, the sight of kicking, yelling girls clashes with many people's idea of femininity, and some parents are loath to see their daughters undergo such martial training.

Records of a karate-like art, of self-defense techniques using no weapons, only hand, foot, and elbow, reach back as far as the 6th century. Buddhist monks were known to employ karate with considerable skill in defending their temples. Later, in 1392, inhabitants of the Ryukyu Islands, forbidden to carry weapons, went to China to study the art. In 1762 a ship from the Ryukyus landed on the Japanese island Shikoku, introducing the sport to the nation which developed it so much and gave it the name karate, literally, "The Way of the Empty Hand."

Karate originated in China, but owes its revitalization in Taiwan to Japan. Japanese experts came to Taiwan in the 1960s, and in 1967 a Japanese woman instructor set up shop in Taiwan, and attention in karate from then on began to grow in earnest.

Victory and defeat are of secondary importance to karate as it evolved in Japan. Practitioners instead looked to it for self-cultivation and self-defense, envisioning it as a way to develop their character. Contact as a result was ruled out, in order to maintain decorum and poise. Yet karate still brings short-term benefits, and years ago Li Yu-p'ing foiled a would-be purse-snatching with a move which separated her attacker from his bicycle in short order.

Karate experts in Taiwan sometimes have checkered pasts. A few pupils begin the sport in order to avenge a beating, but often acquire the discipline later that dissipates such a spirit. Many girls nonetheless win permission to study karate by invoking the need for self-defense. Some begin speaking with a masculine edge to their voices, owing to their instructors' influence, but few lose any friends. The great majority, however, are far too busy concentrating on karate to worry about boy friends.

Taiwan has about 260 karate organizations, of which 80% are affiliated with some school. The average size is about 40-50 members. The most famous is the Lungshan Club, which has won 15 medals in the past five years in international competition. Coach Su Shang-chih attributes his charges' success to steady, hard work, but also puts his pupils through a special condition program to compensate for deficiencies in brawn and height that they have against Western competitors. Having talented students also helps the club to reach an even higher level of excellence.

Some do succeed in isolation, though. Upon graduation from college, Wang Kuei-yuan found that her coach had left for work overseas, requiring her to continue training without any guidance. She practiced alone everyday at her old club, finding a sparring partner now and then. Others knew her as a nuisance, for she often blew would-be victories by injuring and bloodying opponents.

The reasons behind her aggressiveness were simple. Her coach taught her a particularly fierce and relentless attack and Wang had lifted weights and practiced boxing in school. She simply did not know her own strength. "I was just a bit careless," she says. "How was anyone to know someone would get hurt?" But today, it is precisely this style that wins Wang matches in international competition.

Standing apart from the cracked ribs and split lips is the form division. Competitors display all sorts of attacking, defending, and spinning moves, while being judged on their fluidity, stability, rhythm, and power. Judges also look for poise and concentration, with the most important moment being the last, when she must assume her original position, which concludes the exercise.

Chu Mei-yueh is a standout in this event. Su felt Chu was being hurt too often in practice and had an introverted personality as well, making her fit for the form division, but he admits he never thought she would rise to the top of the heap.

Women's karate is quickly growing in Taiwan, and with most experts still in their twenties, the nation will probably field a strong team in the 1992 Olympics. The important task now is to develop the ground for a worthy second generation.

[Picture Caption]

Coach Su Shang-chih (right) has been in the sport for 21 years, with hisblack belt beginning to fade. The black belt of Yao Li (left) also bears the scars of many battles.

Since it is women's karate, it should have some style. Tough enough for you?

A woman karate expert at the door would scare anyone. Above is Wang Kuei-yuan.

A strenuous physical training program is part of the path to victory.

Fast and furious--the chin, chest, shin, and sole are the areas injured most frequently.

Karate has its feminine side, too. Here Li Yu-p'ing sews a few stitches for Yao Li.

The form division is the treasure house from which evolve moves later tobe used in competition.

Coach Su Shang-chih （right） has been in the sport for 21 years, with his　black belt beginning to fade. The black belt of Yao Li （left） also bears the scars of many battles.

A strenuous physical training program is part of the path to victory.

A woman karate expert at the door would scare anyone. Above is Wang Kuei-yuan.

Fast and furious--the chin, chest, shin, and sole are the areas injured most frequently.

Karate has its feminine side, too. Here Li Yu-p'ing sews a few stitches for Yao Li.

The form division is the treasure house from which evolve moves later to　be used in competition.