Israeli Full-Contact Combat

This Woman Will Fight Back!

An Interview with a Martial Artist: Lissette Albuerne- Erez

By: Tzachi Gadish

We met at the publisher’s office in North Miami Beach. Lissette is a very charming, attractive woman and appears to be in a great physical shape.

Tzachi Gadish: Are you in training now?

Lissette Albuerne-Erez: I’m always training and staying in shape. I do it almost daily. My main training is in Martial Arts of Hisardut-Survival, a form of Karate developed in Israel by Shihan Miki Erez who is also my husband and Motti Hornstein, the current world champion fighter. I have a third degree black belt in Karate Japanese and Israeli styles.

T.G: As a woman do you feel that more women should know self-defense?

Lissette: Definitely, also young girls and boys should be taught the basics of self-defense. The need is to instill the mental capacity in females’ heads that they can stand against attackers and prevent assaults before they even begin. Through education, people should have the confidance to strike back if needed and to know how to escape the attack.

T.G: Are you educating the public?

Lissette: Actually I give many lectures in schools, bookstores, and even synagogues telling the people how to be aware of attackers and how to be more alert when leaving the house or place of work, and how to be prepared at all times to fend off an assault. I am writing a book that will address a lot of topics about self-defense and self-awareness. Most attacks can be prevented before they even start. By being cautious and letting the attacker know that you are aware of him and his intents and ready to resist if necessary, he may just walk away and leave you alone.

T.G: So how are people reacting to your straightforward talk?

Lissette: I tell women abut the way rapists and thieves think, and how we as victims should react in the beginning of the assault. For example, if someone is trying to force me to walk out of a mall with a gun or knife, I will never do it. I’ll take my chances in the mall with people around. I’ll drop myself to the ground while screaming and kicking. In most cases, the attacker will run away. In a case of a rape attempt if you are already in the situation a woman should fight back with all her might because usually her life is at stake too. This is not a case of a purse or a gold chain that is not worth fighting for. If you are in a public area or nearby, scream FIRE before HELP to alert others, kick frantically and try to escape. I train women in self-defense to attack certain places in the body that will hurt even if you are not six feet tall, like the groin area, the eyes and throat, and attempt to scratch the surface of the skin.

T.G: Have you ever been a victim of an assault?

Lissette: Yes, a few times. The first time it happened in Manhattan, New York, during the middle of the day. I didn’t know self-defense then and the guy cleaned me out of my purse and jewelry. The second time it happened in Coral Gables while walking with my daughter a few years ago. A man threatened us with a pointed gun; he demanded my gold watch and jewelry. I pushed away my daughter and told her to run and call the police, but she tripped and fell on the sidewalk. The gunman pointed the gun at her and that’s when I made my move. I tried to reach for the gun and start moving around him very fast, swaying from side to side, while shouting threats at him. He became disoriented and as people started noticing the scene, he took a shot at me and missed, then quickly ran away. Thieves study their victims and usually follow them from a supermarket or other public places and attack close to the victim’s home. Women should not wear jewelry when doing their daily routine, like shopping or carpooling. They should be alert if anyone is following them when driving back home. If they suspect anything, they should drive away from home to a police station, gas station or any other public place. In a case of car jacking, when approaching your car in a parking lot, never unlock the doors with a remote from a distance. This can give enough time for a car jacker to enter your vehicle before you do.

T.G: This is a sad commentary about our society, but it happens daily all over America. It looks like your mission is to help women and children to know how to prevent and defend themselves before and during a crime.

Lissette: Yes, unfortunately it is true. In my book, soon to be published, I want everyone to know how to be ready mentally and physically for any unforeseen incident, be it near home, on the road, at work or on vacation. Anyone can benefit from the advice and experiences I have gained for many years. You have to follow your gut instinct, your sixth sense, and react accordingly. Think like a criminal and defend yourself like a warrior.

T.G: Thank you Lissette, I learned a lot about the vulnerability we experience each day and I hope our readers will take your advice and later read your book as well.