Martial Arts Odyssey: Part Two Training with Shan State Army Part 2

MARTIAL ARTS ODYSSEY: TRAINING WITH SHAN STATE ARMY
Part 2
By Dante Scott
Read Part 1

Shan State Army Video Part 2 on FightCon.com

In the latest episode of “Martial Arts Odyssey” host,  Antonio Graceffo, returns to the war zone of Burma, and goes on a jungle patrol with the Shan State Army (SSA) rebels. At the edge of the Shan controlled area, Antonio could see into the camps of three other armies, including the enemy’s.

“The Burmese army guns are pointed into the camp twenty-four hours per day. Every man woman and child living on the SSA headquarters, at Loi Tailang, knows that the shooting could start at any minute.”

In spite of the horrors they have seen and the constant threat of attack, the refugees, soldiers, and families try to go on with their normal life.

“In this episode I taught the soldiers some basic knife fighting techniques. They all carry these huge machetes, similar to a Filipino bolo knife. So, I took some techniques from Modern Arnis.”

Antonio tried to entertain as much as instruct the soldiers, teaching them useful hand-to-hand fighting techniques, while making them laugh.

“The Burmese war on Shan State has been going on for over forty years. Not one of these soldiers can remember a time of peace. I wanted to teach them skills that might save their lives, but I also wanted to lighten their spirits.”

Once again, the Colonel asked Antonio if he could contact Sylvester Stallone, who pretends to fight in Burma in his new movie.

“If Rambo would come here for just one day, my men would be so inspired they would fight like lions.” Said Colonel Yawd Serk.

“It’s a real Rocky story. The rebels only have about 10,000 soldiers, the Burmese government SPDC forces have over 400,000. But the Shan people are tough. The SSA will continue holding on, praying for the world to come and help them.”

“Tell America about our struggle.” Was the message the Shan soldiers wanted to send to the world.

Watch the video, Martial Arts Odyssey:

Shan State Army part Two on FightCon.com

Read Part 1