Lady Jane Percy tells of martial arts passion

Mar 29 2009 Sunday Sun

“I’D really love to swing a punch and knock someone clean out.”

They are words you probably never thought The Duchess of Northumberland would utter.

But just like her high-class, high-kicking computer games counterpart Lady Lara Croft, the North’s own Lady Jane Percy has revealed her love of the martial arts.

The duchess, whose family has a £300m fortune, is not only a kickboxer, but is also learning the Filipino double- stick art of Kali, which uses two rattan canes to subdue an aggressor.

And, not only might Lady Percy attain a coveted black belt herself, she is urging school pupils across the North to do likewise.

She said: “I really enjoy kickboxing because it’s a great way to relieve stress and keep fit.

“What I hate about ordinary exercise is that I’m always watching the clock. But if I’m doing kickboxing or using the sticks you have to really concentrate or you get hit.

“But I also just enjoy it for its own sake. I’d really love to swing a punch and knock someone clean out!”

The duchess, 50, said that kickboxing helps her switch off from the pressure of running The Alnwick Garden, her family estates and her own family as well.

As a martial artist, the duchess believes, like in Japan, more schools should take it up because it teaches positive life lessons, promotes fitness and teaches discipline.

She added: “If I say I’m going to do something then I’ll try my hardest to succeed because I’m quite a determined person.

“When I was younger — aged between eight and 13-years — I was an ice-skater. I trained every day I could for up to five hours.

“We now have a whole generation of youngsters that need to exercise more and martial arts not only provides exercise, it also gives youngsters discipline and is really good fun.

“Although there will be some who disagree, I think children need to understand that they can win, but won’t always win.

“Martial arts are a good way to teach this lesson.”