Thelma Jones, a 90-year-old Black woman from Southfield, Michigan, recently attained the rank of 5th-degree black belt in Isshinryu karate, but she has no intention of stopping there.
Thelma Jones has been practicing karate for 50 years and, despite her advanced age, she still attends Southfield Martial Arts three times a week for karate instruction.
Her instructor, Willie Adams, who is a 77-year-old grandmaster with a 10th-degree black belt, said that anyone who knows Miss Jones would say that she is “tough.”
“It really does teach you to listen, behind you, in front, and be aware of all things,” Jones told Fox 2 Detroit.
Thelma Jones has actually had to utilize her karate techniques to fend off criminals at times. She was still capable of defending herself against robbers at a bus stop when she was 60 years old.
She had just lately sensed a suspicious stranger following her. She revealed that she no longer needed to fight the man off since she could avoid him with skills of heightened observation and sensing she got through karate.
In addition, Thelma Jones hopes to inspire others to maintain their fitness levels as they age.
She said, “Take care of your body, take care of your mind, and think a situation through before you react.”
