article_snippet: But for one karate-kicking great-grandmother in Kansas, there is no letting up.
article_snippet: Helen Dugan, a third-degree black belt, continues to lead karate classes at the school
article_snippet: Battling on: Despite turning 80, Helen Dugan, owner of karate school Champs Achievers, is not letting up .
article_snippet: Aiming high: After earning her black belt at 61, Helen Dugan was inspired to teach others the sport Kansas .
article_snippet: Iron fist: Helen Dugan set up the class for disabled children and said it was important to 'build on disabled children strengths' The great-grandmother of 17 only took up the sport when The great-grandmother of 17 took two of disabled children to a class at the age of 47, the Kansas City Star reports.
article_snippet: The great-grandmother of 17 said: 'We never had karate when I was a child, so I took my sons to a class
article_snippet: Dugan, who has been married to husband Barney for 57 years, took karate classes for 14 years, earning The great-grandmother of 17 black belt at the age of 61.
article_snippet: Inspired to pass on five-year-old Micah Jenkins expertise to others, the mother-of-five set up a non-profit karate class called Champs aimed at helping those with a disability.
article_snippet: Karate and other martial arts taught at the group -  including judo, jujitsu, tai chi and a defensive street-fighting discipline called Guided Chaos - can improve concentration, stamina, balance, motor skills, independence and self-esteem.
highlights_snippet: Helen Dugan continues to lead karate classes despite passing age of 80 .
  
highlights_snippet: After earning black belt at 61, set up a karate class for disabled children .