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A diIIerent perspective Irom a seasoned Martial Artist. Grandmaster Ana D.

Zuzic is the Founder and


Headmaster oI SINANJU SHIN DO Close Combat Martial arts. Note that her views are direct and more
simplistic than that oI our previous interviews with Janelle Staley. It may have been because oI the language
barrier between our two worlds. Much oI the responses I had to clariIy as best as I could. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic
I.,-+-- V.ee- :..--.,
ATTU Executive Vice President
I.,-+-- V.ee- :..--.,
ATTU Executive Vice President
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1. How long have you been involved in the Martial Arts and what is your System?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'I have been involvea for 32 years ana starting training in Karate ana Aikiao for the better part of my life.
Toaay I have own style SINANJU SHIN DO-Close combat martial art, I am Founaer ana Heaamaster with
Kancho Goran Duaas- Rt. Lt. Colonel. Of SINANJU SHIN DO, Close Combat Martial Art. Members ana
recognition of WOMA Croatia group on WOMA. Members of Japan Institute in UK-Liverpool since 2011 ana
receivea title KANCHO-10.DAN'.
2. What prompted you to begin studying the martial arts and what drew you into training?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'I wantea to train because of the interest I aevelopea for it at a very young age maae it my way of life. The
training as I saw it, always intriguea me'.
3. Are any members oI your Iamily also studying or training in other disciplines other than yourselI?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic
'From my family, my husbana. He is Co-Founaer ana Heaamaster of Sinanfu Shin Do, Kancho-Goran
Duaas-Rt.Lt.Colonel of Croatian Army. We own the International Center Sinanfu Shin Do'.
4. My Iavorite training is Kumite and Makiwara. What would yours be and what would a typical training
session would be Ior you?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'My favorite way of training is Kumite, because I am consiaerea ana enfoy being a real fighter. This methoa
of training is real combat situation training for stuaents. It has been our belief that this is best way to
prepare stuaents for actual situation of self aefense throughout their training ana lives. Another favorite of
mine like you is with the Makiwara. For both conaitioning ana combination training'.
5. Prior to teaching your system, who have you studied with and can you give us a comparison on each oI
systems?.
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'Sinanfu Shin Do in some parts of techniques much like what I stuaiea in Aikifutsu but is very hara to
compare with any specific Martial arts for reasons of specific close combat methoas ana way of combat
techniques. It is aifficult for me to compare, as all serve a combat aefense structure ana service.
6. As a woman in the Martial Arts what obstacles iI any were you met with?

Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic
'Obstacles in Martial arts? Fortunately I havent been met with any that s worth mentioning. like many
women in this worla, I aont haa any problems so long as people in Martial arts look to me with respect in
my surrounaings ana beyona, I also will respect them, Surely there are those that ao have or haa problems
with women in the martial arts but it is not much of a concern for me because I know that like I many have
contributea positively to the Martial arts ana its community`.
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7. There are notable and accomplished Martial Arts woman, who are your Iavorite or most inspirational one.
Do you emulate any oI them?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'I never haa or aspirea to be like any women martial artist but my inspiration of Martial arts woula be from
Masutatsu Oyama ana Morihei Uyeshiba. I woula say I emulate their training ana teachings'.
8. We all in our community consider Martial arts our way oI liIe. Is this so with you as well and what do you
adapt to your daily liIe Irom Martial arts?.
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
In Sinanfu Shin Do Martial art we consiaer ana teach our stuaents ana Masters that Martial arts is way a
life ana all other is fust following a continuea process of this consiaeration. Everything in the Martial arts
that I have learnea is aaaptea. From what to ao to what not to ao`.
9. Now that you have achieved all that you have, what are your aspirations now?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'My Achievements are not reasons of my work in the martial arts. I am thinking that my life will continue as
my spirit in Martial arts will be as active until I cant train any more. Training, teaching ana conaucting
aemonstrations, will be continuea as well. As for my of Martial art achievements ana awaras they are fust
recognition of my way of work ana contributions`.
10. How do you think that you will make your ultimate mark in your contributions to the Martial Arts
community?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic
'Female stuaents ana other stuaents in our International Center Sinanfu Shin Do must unaerstana that neea
to have that respect aignity ana honor. This is what I expect to continue to teach ana emulate therefore be of
a positive example to my stuaents especially the women. I in my own way set the example that can be
accomplishea, once you have aeterminea what it is that you wish to ao then set your goals ana go after it.
That is my point of work ana teaching in Martial arts'.
11. Share your views regaraing toaays Martial Arts ana Martial arts of years ago?

Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'My view of Martial arts toaay ana years ago is aefinitely aifferent from many others. After 32 years in
Martial arts we all think aifferently. Toaay women are more welcome ana acceptea in what was once
consiaerea ana all male forum or structure ana years ago it was aominatea by males. Am glaa that we have
haa many women who broke the barriers ana maae their mark as I aspire to continue aoing. My aavice to all
female ana male masters is DO WHAT YOU WISH AND BE READY TO DO UNTIL ALL AND SURPASS
YOUR LIMITS''`
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12. DeIine Ana Zuzic the Lady Dragon, Grandmaster and Ana Zuzic the Lady.
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'When we talk about the respectable Laay Dragon I must say that is very aifficult to ao any comparisons this
way. First she lives in a aifferent -part of Worla, Our culture ana conaitions of life are aifferent She is also
active in Martial arts. My life here is insiae Post War 1991-1996 in Croatia. Due to that causea huge
changes of my personal life . As a wife, my husbana Kancho Goran Duaas a war veteran who has spent
many years on the battlefiela, ana , I workea hara behina these war conaitions in the City ana establish
classes with small groups of stuaents. The Laay? Am a wife, friena ana mother sometimes to my stuaents ana
a positive influence.
13. You, am sure are considered a role model Ior all the Little Lady Dragons, Iemale students and the like.
What advice would you oIIer to Iuture ladies in the arts?.
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'The stuaents ana instructors I teach to that follow their Martial arts way of life after acquiring the
founaation from me. like I ao toaay with them in the teaching process. Inaepenaent views ana attituaes in
life`.
15. One term that describes Ana would be?
Grandmaster Ana D. Zuzic:
'Like Soke Glenn Perry statea time about me is true. "NOTHING ORDINARY".
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SHORT ABOUT ME:
Founder -Headmaster oI SINANJU SHIN DO
Founder oI STREET AIKI COMBAT SYSTEM
President oI WOMENS UNION OF MARTIAL ARTS
MASTERS
Vice President oI CLOSE COMBAT MARTIAL
ARTS&HEADMASTERS FEDERATION
President oI INTERNATIONAL CENTER SINANJU SHIN
DO
Director oI INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF CLOSE
PROTECTION AND BODYGUARD
Member oI ROYAL SOCIETY GROUP-WOMA
Member oI JAPAN INSTITUTE-UK
Director oI WOMA CROATIA Group
Awarded Hall oI Fame 2010,2011 and 2012 year
Award Hall oI Honor 2011
Medal oI Honor 2011-Royal Society Group
Grandmaster Zuzic thank you very much Ior this interview
with us. May you continue do the great things that you and
your husband are doing there in Croatia. Continued success
and the best wishes during the Christ holiday season to all oI
you Irom the American Temple Training Union.
Reynardo 'Nikko Gutierrez, Soke
Executive Vice President, ATTU
Associate ChieI Editor,
The American Temple Training Union MA Masters Magazine
SungJitsuRyuyahoo.com
718.713.7149
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