By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

TEHRAN, Iran

Thousands of Iranian women are training to become female “ninjas”, according to a Tehran-based martial arts instructor.

“Almost 4,000 women in Tehran have been getting Ninja training now,” Tina Rusheniya told Anadolu Agency. “In our sports hall, we have 40 females, between the ages of four and 50, who are training to become Ninja Rangers.”

According to Rusheniya, a Ninja Ranger refers to an extraordinary person who has received training in all the martial arts.

Rusheniya, 38, is an expert in taekwondo, karate and kickboxing. For the last 14 years, she has been perfecting “Ninja” training techniques.

“The main factor that leads women who are not into professional sports to learn Ninja Ranger techniques is the need to defend themselves and to increase their self-confidence,” she said.