Granny bashing

28-06-2008 13:15

A 77-year-old Japanese grandmother is beating up Italian soldiers on a daily basis to help toughen them up.

Martial arts expert Keiko Wakabayshi - who is almost a foot smaller than her charges - has been hired by the country's military to train recruits in hand-to-hand combat.

Italy-based Keiko tells her students to look at her and believe that nothing is impossible.

After flooring an opponent she tells them: "Don't think it's unbelievable. The physique doesn't matter."

Don't think it's unbelievable. The physique doesn't matter.

Sparring is regarded as the most effective method of teaching martial arts and senior Italian military officers hope the experience of being humiliated by Keiko will toughen up their soldiers.