Sue Bott

F.I.M.A. — Female in Martial Art

F.I.M.A., or Female in Martial Art, is the international women’s department of the W.J.J.F., with a structure made up of senior teachers, instructors, and students.

Sue Bott is recognised as the World F.I.M.A. representative — the British Susan Bott, 6th Dan, and direct student of Soke Robert Clark. This title was conferred after many years of intense study and exceptional technical ability.

F.I.M.A. membership is intended for women officially affiliated with the W.J.J.F. who have reached at least 1st Dan, including those without a formal teaching qualification, as well as instructors and teachers from 2nd Dan onward who wish to be part of the department. In exceptional cases, coloured belts who have particularly distinguished themselves on the tatami may also be considered.

To become recognised at world level, applications were required through the national federal leadership and submitted to the Liverpool headquarters for evaluation and inclusion within the F.I.M.A. department. Members could receive a special badge to be worn on the right shoulder of the gi, together with an exclusive diploma confirming official membership, renewed annually.

Lineage, Rank & F.I.M.A.

A martial arts journey is not only about rank or titles. It is also about who taught you, what values you carried forward, and the standards you kept for yourself and your students.

“Tradition matters when it is lived through discipline, integrity, and the way knowledge is passed on.”