She is a learning support specialist, teaches at a school in the south ofTenerife and is a Judo instructor at a gym in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Eva G. does not boast about it. But, for a few weeks now, she has also been one of those anonymous heroines, as she prevented an assault with unpredictable consequences by disarming a man who was about to attack another person, leading to his arrest by officers of the National Police.
The incident took place inside a garage in the Taco area, near the Concorde shopping centre. A 47-year-old man instigated an argument over a parking space in the building and confronted another 65-year-old neighbour, who has delicate health. The latter was trying to make space to park a vehicle that usually parks in that spot, as another car was occupying his spot, according to a witness.
The assailant, the younger of the two, attacked the victim, punching him twice in the face and breaking a pair of newly purchased glasses worth over €1,000.
However, while the victim was picking up the remains of the damaged glasses, the attacker grabbed a knife about 25 centimetres long, with a 16 centimetre blade, and attempted to harm the individual he had previously assaulted.
To defend himself against the attacker, the victim used a broomstick. However, this action was of little use, as the now accused individual snatched it, struck the victim in the head, and even broke it on his shoulder.
Feeling defenseless once again, the victim used both hands to grab the knife wielded by the presumed aggressor and a struggle ensued between the two next to a car and a garage wall. Eva G. was present and observed the situation deteriorating rapidly. She decided to intervene swiftly and cleverly, with bravery, ensuring that no one was injured.
In a leap, she managed to lock a handbag around the knife and pulled with all her strength until she took it from the attacker’s hand. The knife fell to the ground and the woman pushed the two struggling men, causing the now accused individual to lose his balance. Additionally, another man present stepped on the knife to prevent the attacker from grabbing it again.
A few seconds later, several patrols from the National Police arrived near the garage where the incident occurred and proceeded to arrest the alleged perpetrator of assault and serious threats, based on the statements of witnesses at the scene.
This educator holds a seventh dan black belt in Judo. | | / MARÍA PISACA
This case is awaiting trial, as both parties have filed complaints with the law enforcement agency, as reported.
Eva G. studied learning support and teaches at a Primary Education centre in the southern area of the Island. This native of Tenerife started practising Judo at a gym in her neighbourhood, Taco, when she was just 10 years old. At that time, there were very few clubs where this Japanese martial art could be learned. Her accomplishments as a female practitioner of this martial art in Canarias include several milestones. For instance, she was the first woman to achieve a black belt in this discipline in the Archipelago 43 years ago.
She also became the first in the Autonomous Community with the rank of national Judo coach, as well as a state-level referee. She currently holds a seventh dan black belt, as detailed by individuals in her sports circle, as this Primary school teacher prefers discretion in her daily life.
Her passion for Judo continued during her time in Castilla y León, after having competed at various levels during her youth, “until the age of 30,” she specifies.
Currently, Eva provides training in this sport to children aged between three and twelve at the Judo Halcón Club in the Tenerife capital. She has always pursued this activity as a “hobby, as my sport,” Eva clarifies. She emphasises that this discipline promotes physical activity among minors, as well as the development of “fundamental values” and various skills. She highlights that the foremost of these values is “respect for others,” and that children should “understand what they should do in certain situations.”
[–>
She admits, without reservation, that many minors lack basic discipline. But she emphasises that Judo also promotes the acquisition of skills such as self-control, camaraderie and self-assurance, for instance, in situations like the dreaded school bullying. However, for a children’s instructor, it is vital that her students have fun and enjoy participating in sports. And that’s how she approaches it in her daily life.
Subscribe to continue reading
