TRAINED to use deadly weapons, petite Wendy Seager is not your typical granny.
The five-foot-one martial arts expert is a fiery international Ju-Jitsu champion who has just added another medal to her tally.
Wendy, 47, picked up a silver medal at the United Nations of Ju-Jitsu Competition in Sauerland, Germany, in August.
She said: "I have been involved in ju-jitsu since I was 31 and have won British and World Championships, as well achieving Dan Shodan (black belt) and level four in weapons.
"I train whenever I can and am due to take my next Dan grading in December. I also instruct up to four classes a week and am involved in refereeing and judging competitions."
The care-home worker, of Weald Road, Brentwood, is the proud mother of five children, aged 18 to 30, and four grandchildren, aged four to one month.
She said: "It's always something I have been in to. All my family were into martial arts and both my parents took kung fu when I was tiny.
"Initially, I did not have the confidence to go for it, especially as I had a tough time with bullies at school, which had really knocked my confidence.
"However, I finally got the push I needed when I went to watch a friend compete and got a massive crush on the instructor, who I started dating and was with for 15 years".
Around this time, about 1991, the instructor set up the Wakarishin Ju-Jitsu Association and as Wendy achieved more qualifications and won competitions she started to become more involved with the business and teaching.
She said: "One of the classes I have been involved with is defence at Chelmsford County High School for Girls, adapted from the classes run at Wakarishin, which is now in its 13th year".
Wendy believes Ju-Jitsu is an all-round good method of self-defence for the modern world.
She says: "It's not all about strength, I used to train with a guy who was 22 stone. It's about technique and how the body works."
There have been a couple occasions when Wendy has felt threatened, however, she has kept calm and avoided any situation from developing, which she explains is part of the training.
Regarding her most recent silver medal she said: "I was at the competition to support our club, though was not sure I was going to take part until the day"
"I have had a few tough years suffering from endometriosis and the collapse of my relationship. However, I just thought I would go for it and am absolutely delighted with my win."
Her family were thrilled with her win and daughter Yazmine Seager, 21, a full-time mum to one-month-old Elliot and 15-month-old Oliver, told the Brentwood Gazette: "We are really proud of mum and her achievements.
"This competition has been a wonderful acknowledgement of all her hard work. Also, it's nice to know that she is safer because of her Ju-Jitsu. If she is out we don't need to be worrying".
All Wendy's children have been involved in Ju-Jitsu to varying levels and she hopes her grandchildren will be too. Her two-year-old grandson John already likes to play with the nun-chukas (sticks joined by a chain).
Wendy added: "I am currently looking at venues to start classes in Brentwood and hope to be opening up in around a month's time, starting with two junior classes (from age four) and one adult class."
