Lee’s Summit women gain self-confidence through self-defense

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. - The Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a self-defense training session Saturday at the Legacy Park Community Center. Nearly 100 women and girls attended the event to learn and practice self-defense tactics.

Former karate champion Bob “Thunder” Thurman, who now runs the Counter Attactics self-defense school, taught the women how to use their arms, elbows, hands, feet, legs and fingers to protect themselves against attackers.

Men dressed in thick padding enabled the women to practice how they would respond if they were attacked by a stranger. It was an empowering moment for people like Sharon Bott.

“I attended the event because my daughter wanted me to come,” Bott explained. "I jog and cycle, and she’s worried that I could get hurt."

After hearing the instruction and putting it into practice, Bott said she was definitely more self-confident about her personal safety.

"I’ve  been afraid a few times, and I used instinct and kind of left the situation; but I feel a lot more powerful  now that I can confront someone if I needed to," Bott said.

Thurman explained that his slogan is “Be Alert and Be Prepared."