A woman who was the victim of childhood bullying and trauma has celebrated her successes as she dedicates her life to helping others.
Sue King, from Croxteth, is a Ju-Jitsu legend as she is commended for 40 successful years in martial arts. After taking a stand against her childhood bullies, Sue said she has never looked back and will continue to help others while she has “breath in my body”.
At the age of five, Sue tragically lost her family members in a house fire while her dad lay seriously ill in hospital. As she grew older, she became his sole carer and during her school years found herself being bullied. But one day she said enough is enough and attended a self defence club after school.
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She told the ECHO: “I loved it. More so it was a break, to escape. I was brought up by dad, my family died in a house fire when I was five, my dad was in hospital at the time, I lost my entire family. Coming out of that there was no such thing as counselling, you just got on with it.
“Originally I went Ju-Jitsu training once a week but that turned into six days and I’ve never looked back.”
Sue said the club back then saved her live and now, she is the highest ranking active Japanese Ju-Jitsu female in the UK. Sue owns Muga Mushin Ryu Ju-Jitsu school in Norris Green, improving the lives of both adults and children.
In 2008, Sue’s dad tragically died and she knew she would open her own martial arts school in the hopes of providing children a safe space to find themselves as she said: “That is something I never had.”
She added: “I knew when he died I’d open my own dojo [training space]. We opened in 2011 and became a CIC in 2015. One of the main things we’ve noticed since covid is people struggling with their mental health, I’ve struggled with mine.
“But it’s a place to come and meet like-minded people and everyone bands together. Even now we are seeing children struggling to socialise and bullying is still an issue.”
Sue has become one of the leading figures in the local martial arts scene, helping many children and adults along the way. Team Mushin has received countless five star reviews, including from many parents who have said the classes have vastly improved their mental and physical wellbeing.
Over the last four decades, she has seen many people struggling with their mental health, but said the most inspiring thing for her is helping to change lives.
She told the ECHO: “It’s been difficult being a high ranking woman in a male dominated sport but I love changing lives. If I help just one kid it makes me feel at home.
“Every day is a bonus for me and I can’t see myself stopping as long as I have blood and breath in my body. There’s been many times I thought I would hang up my Gi but I love it."
Her 40 year career has seen her train in many disciplines — including Muay Thai under Colin Heron, Ju Jitsu under Erick Marshall and training in Tai Chi, Escrima and boxing. She is now also a practicing Buddhist after becoming Ordained in 2014.
Sue said: “I went to counselling when dad died and after that I tried meditation and it snowballed. In 2014 I asked to be ordained as a Buddhist Monk and in classes we teach kids mindfulness.”
She went on to say: “I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved over the years and to have opened my own school is a dream come true. We’ve been a CIC since 2015 and always struggled for funding but this year it was great to receive funding from Fight For Peace and Sport England.”
Sue King is celebrating 40 years of martial arts with a huge event at The Village Hotel in Prescot on 18th November 2023. She is the highest ranking active Japanese Ju-Jitsu female in the UK, owner of Muga Mushin Ryu Ju-Jitsu school in Norris Green — coaching adults and children — and is a practising Buddhist.
More information can be found online here or by calling Sue on 07590612610.
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