title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Also added to the Japanese line-up in August 2005 was the Legacy 2.0GT tuned by STI. This sports model has Bilstein suspension, 5-speed for 2005 or 6-speed manual for models after 2006, STI genome exhaust, Brembo brakes (4-piston front, 2-piston rear) and 18-inch alloy wheels by STI.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Japanese Legacy received a cosmetic update in May 2006. Notable changes included new bumpers, headlights, front fenders, grille, and rear combination lamps. This facelift trickled down to export models in 2007.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Kazuyoshi Miura was used as a spokesman for the Hardtop, Touring Wagon and Outback and the commercial song were from Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Although model grades remained largely unchanged, the number of option packages available for certain grades reduced. The base model 2.0i Touring Wagon could also be ordered as the Casual Selection model. Urban Selection models were added to the 2.0R, 2.0GT, and 2.0GT SI-Cruise. The 2.0R was also offered as B-Sports Limited version.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: On 2008-05-08, Subaru announced the EyeSight models for Japanese market. It consists of 2 CCD cameras with one on each side of the rear-view mirror, that use human-like stereoscopic vision to judge distances and generally keep tabs on the driver. The system included the ability to help the driver maintain distance on the highway, a lane departure warning system, a wake up call alerting the driver to a change in traffic signals, and pedestrian detection. SI-Cruise has been integrated into the EyeSight feature as a driver safety aid. EyeSight was a new brand name for a safety system Subaru had previously introduced in Japan only in the 1999 Subaru Lancaster (Outback) called Active Driving Assist (ADA)


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: EyeSight models were available for Touring Wagon 2.0GT and 3.0R, B4 3.0R, Outback 3.0R. All EyeSight models include Sportshift E-5AT transmission.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Legacy STI S402 is a limited edition (402 units) high-performance series for the Japanese market. It includes a 2.5L twin scroll turbocharged engine rated at at 5,600 rpm and of torque at 2,000–4,800 rpm, as well as Bilstein shocks, 18x8-inch BBS forged wheels (from S203, S204) with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 235/40R18 91W tires, Brembo 6-piston front and 2-piston rear brake calipers (from Subaru Impreza type RA-R) and Vehicle Dynamic Control stability control. A special serial number plate is added to the center console and engine bay VIN plate.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Subaru of America commenced production of the Legacy BL and BP in January 2004 for the United States and Canadian markets.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Lance Armstrong was used as a spokesman for both the sedan and station wagon, and Sheryl Crow sang her 1996 hit "Everyday Is a Winding Road" in USA market commercials. The Lafayette Factory-built Subaru Legacy won 2005 International Car of the Year for Most Dependable/Sedan from "Road & Travel Magazine", 2005 Automobile All-Stars for All-Star Family Car from "Automobile Magazine" and The 2006 International Engine of the Year Award in the 2.0 litre to 2.5 litre category for EJ255 engine.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The model marked the return of a turbocharged engine to the North American Legacy, featuring the EJ255 engine rated at , a 2.5-litre unit derived from that of the USDM Impreza WRX with more. Due to advancements in turbocharger technology and tightening emission standards, the twin-turbo setup was not used. Turbocharged models, along with the H6 engine, offered Subaru's first 5-speed automatic transmission, featuring SportShift technology licensed from Prodrive, Ltd.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The 2005 model year Legacy was offered in 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT, and 2.5GT Limited. All trim levels were available as Sedan and Wagon. The wagon body shared the roof sheet metal with the Outback model that had raised metal "humps" under the roof rails, unlike the Japanese and European wagons that had a sleeker roof. Another difference from other overseas markets was that both sedans and wagons had longer front and rear bumpers, designed to meet the Canadian 5-mph bumper specification.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: For 2006, the regular GT was dropped, and the 2.5i Special Edition was added into the line up. The manual transmission was also discontinued for the station wagon. Priced between the base and the Limited models, the 2.5i Special Edition came with a power moonroof and power driver seat, while the 2.5i Limited also came with leather interior, power front passenger seat, and climate control automatic air condition.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The high-performance Subaru Legacy 2.5GT arrived as a 500-unit limited edition model for the 2006 model year, and became a regular model for the next following years. It has Bilstein shock absorbers and 18-inch alloy wheels for better handling, Vehicle Dynamics Control, and from 2007, 6-speed manual gearbox and the "Subaru Intelligent Drive" (SI-Drive) with three modes: Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp. The 2.5GT model is only available as a sedan and not a station wagon.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: For the 2008 model year, the Legacy sedan received facelift with new bumpers, front fenders, tail lights, and alloy wheels. By this time the Legacy wagon and Outback sedan were discontinued, leaving only the Legacy sedan and Outback wagon, though the wagon was not discontinued in Canada. 2008 also brought the 3.0 L EZ30 flat-6 engine to the North American Legacy sedan in the 3.0R Limited trim level. The flat-6 has been available in the Outback wagon and sedan since 2000. For 2008, the 2.5i USA model has been certified PZEV emissions, and a badge has been attached to the rear of the vehicle on the bottom right hand side of the trunklid or tailgate. All other models are certified LEV2. The PZEV Legacy is available for sale in all 50 states, unlike other manufacturers, who only sell PZEV certified vehicles in states that have adopted California emission standards.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Ecomatic Autogas Hybrid is a version of the Legacy with the 2.0R or 2.5i engine that can run on LPG for the German market.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Subaru EE flat-4 diesel engine is offered in both the Legacy and Outback sedan and wagon; identified as the Subaru Legacy 2.0D, the vehicle was released in the EU starting March 2008. The vehicle is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission only.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The official introduction of the Legacy and Outback diesel was at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2008.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Liberty BL (sedan) and BP (wagon) were offered in Australia from 2004. Initially the model grades were 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.0GT, 3.0R, and 3.0R .


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The 2.5i could also be ordered with Luxury Pack (in-dash CD Player, leather interior, power driver's seat, sunroof, climate control A/C), Safety Pack (dual front side and curtain airbags, sunroof, climate control A/C), or Premium Pack which is the combination of Luxury and Safety Packs. Premium Pack was also offered for the GT. In 2006 the Liberty 2.0i became 2.0R, and the 3.0R was also available as Blitzen model with sport grill and aero bumpers. For the 2007 model year, the Liberty GT and new GT received a bigger 2.5-litre turbocharged engine. All models were offered with a manual or auto transmissions.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: On October 22, 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Outback name was now being used in all markets with the launch of the third-generation Outback wagon, which until that point had only been used in export markets. Models equipped with a 3.0L EZ30D H6 were introduced at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. The ground clearance is in the US, so as to get around fuel economy regulations, and most elsewhere. In some countries, such as Canada, it varied by what engine was installed.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: This generation of Outback carried the same model codes as the Legacy Wagon: BP9 for the 2.5-litre model and BPE for the 3.0-litre model. The highest trim level offered in the United States was the Outback "L.L. Bean Edition" that offered optional equipment as standard, including a wood and leather steering wheel, an auxiliary port on the stereo for external music player compatibility (2007 and later), perforated leather seats, GPS navigation, a double-sized, one-piece glass moonroof, limited-slip differential, and the 3.0-litre H6 engine. Starting with this generation, the interior retractable rear cargo cover had a separate stowage compartment in the spare tire storage area so that the cargo cover could be removed for large items and stowed out of the way inside the vehicle.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: A new Outback variant for the 2005 and newer years was the Outback XT. This model came with the same turbocharged 2.5L EJ255 4-cylinder engine found in the Impreza WRX model. This engine produced , which was much higher than the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine, which produced . The XT model came equipped with any 2 of the 3 standard transmissions: a 5-speed Auto-SportShift, or a 5-speed manual.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: As of the 2008 model year, the Legacy wagon and Outback sedan were discontinued in the United States, leaving only the Legacy sedan and Outback wagon models. The Outback wagon also received styling revisions for the 2008 model year, most notably an enlarged, chrome-ringed grille. Additionally, in July, 2008 Subaru ceased offering a special edition L.L. Bean trim level on the Outback.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: For 2008, the 2.5i USA model was certified PZEV emissions and a "PZEV" badge attached to the rear of the vehicle on the bottom right hand side of the tailgate. All other models were certified LEV2. The PZEV Outback was available for sale in all 50 states, unlike other manufacturers, who usually only sell PZEV certified vehicles in states that have adopted California emission standards.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Starting May 2008, the Japanese-spec Legacy could be fitted with a new safety feature called EyeSight. It consists of two cameras, one on each side of the rear-view mirror, that use human-like stereoscopic vision to judge distances and generally keep tabs on the driver. The system helps maintain a safe distance on the highway, warns the driver during unintended lane departure, emits a wake up call should everyone else pull away from the traffic lights, and keeps an eye out for pedestrians. SI-Cruise has been integrated into the EyeSight feature as a driver safety aid.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The Subaru EE series flat-4 diesel engine was offered in both Legacy and Outback models in Europe exclusively. These diesel models were introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2008. Identified as the "Subaru Outback 2.0D", it was offered with a 5-speed manual transmission only. The top-of-the-line JDM and EU diesel models also had a "Start/Stop" button, similar to those found in Lexus, Infiniti, Audi and other high end makers.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: According to the Subaru Owners on-line newsletter dated March 2008, Subaru was planning to introduce the diesel Legacy and Outback models in the U.S., stating they were "...currently making modifications to the diesel so it meets the more stringent U.S. standards. Subaru diesel models should be domestically available in two to three years." However, there has yet to be a diesel version of any Subaru model introduced into the U.S.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: In 2006, Subaru released the limited edition "Liberty GT", tuned by STi (TBSTI), based on the 2.0 GT Sedan and Wagon. Only 300 of these were released.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: The 2007 facelifted version of 300 units were released and powered by the 2.5-litre turbo engine. The 2008 model was limited to 250 units, and has black Brembo brakes and slightly different Enkei rims. The modified EJ255 engine was rated at at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 2,800 rpm. It included Bilstein shocks, a rear suspension kit with partial ball-bearing-jointed bushings, lower springs, Brembo brakes (4-piston front, 2-piston rear) with stainless steel mesh-type brake hose, 18-inch Enkei wheels lighter than stock, front and rear STI spoilers, leather and Alcantara front seats, and an 8-way power driver seat with memory settings.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Manual transmission models have a center differential. Automatic transmission models have an electronically controlled clutch which provides power to the rear wheels.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: Only in the wagon are there split-folding rear seats, which offer 1,628 litres of trunk space when folded down.


title: Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)

text: MY07-MY09 (both and non-) models include Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), which includes 3 vehicle performance modes with unique settings for the engine control unit (ECU) and transmission control unit (TCU).


title: Chris Núñez

text: Christopher Núñez (born April 11, 1973) is an American tattoo artist, television personality, and entrepreneur. He is the owner of Handcrafted Tattoo and Art Gallery, a tattoo shop located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was a judge on the reality television show "Ink Master".


title: Chris Núñez

text: Of Cuban descent, he grew up in Miami, Florida. Núñez had always been drawn to art, and began painting graffiti as a teenager, which he claims his father supported as long as it was an image and not just Núñez's name. Soon, he discovered tattooing, immediately falling in love with it and obtaining an apprenticeship at a local tattoo shop. Núñez claims that he is very grateful for the experience of an apprenticeship when he was younger, as he worked his way up from background work – cleaning, running errands, fixing machines – to learning how to tattoo and tattooing fundamentals. His father died when Núñez was 18 years old, leading to him rebelling during his late teens and early twenties. Núñez's first tattoos, which he got at age 16, were of his parents' names.


title: Chris Núñez

text: After being a graffiti artist, Núñez switched to tattooing, though even after opening a tattoo shop with friends, he continued to do part-time construction work. He was the owner of Handcrafted Tattoo and Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He and Ami James later opened Love Hate Tattoos on Miami Beach. He now owns Liberty City Tattoo in Wynwood-Miami, Florida, USA.


title: Chris Núñez

text: He was a cast member of the TLC network's reality show "Miami Ink", and later became a judge on the Spike network's reality competition, "Ink Master", in which tattoo artists compete in challenges assessing their tattoo and related artistic skills.


title: Chris Núñez

text: He is a partner in the media corporation Ridgeline Empire, which operates the subsidiaries Ink Skins and Upset Gentlemen and an animation studio with two animated series in development as of 2014: "Hoodbrats" and "Toothians".


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Drill bits are the cutting tools of drilling machines. They can be made in any size to order, but standards organizations have defined sets of sizes that are produced routinely by drill bit manufacturers and stocked by distributors.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: In the U.S., fractional inch and gauge drill bit sizes are in common use. In nearly all other countries, metric drill bit sizes are most common, and all others are anachronisms or are reserved for dealing with designs from the US. The British Standards on replacing gauge size drill bits with metric sizes in the UK was first published in 1959.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: A comprehensive table for metric, fractional wire and tapping sizes can be found at the drill and tap size chart.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Metric drill bit sizes define the diameter of the bit in terms of standard metric lengths. Standards organizations define sets of sizes that are conventionally manufactured and stocked. For example, British Standard BS 328 defines 230 sizes from 0.2 mm to 25.0 mm.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: In smaller sizes, bits are available in smaller diameter increments. This reflects both the smaller drilled hole diameter tolerance possible on smaller holes and the wishes of designers to have drill bit sizes available within at most 10% of an arbitrary hole size.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: The price and availability of particular size bits does not change uniformly across the size range. Bits at size increments of 1 mm are most commonly available, and lowest price. Sets of bits in 1 mm increments might be found on a market stall. In 0.5 mm increments, any hardware store. In 0.1 mm increments, any engineers' store. Sets are not commonly available in smaller size increments, except for drill bits below 1 mm diameter. Drill bits of the less routinely used sizes, such as 2.55 mm, would have to be ordered from a specialist drill bit supplier. This subsetting of standard sizes is in contrast to general practice with number gauge drill bits, where it is rare to find a set on the market which does not contain every gauge.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Metric dimensioning is routinely used for drill bits of all types, although the details of BS 328 apply only to twist drill bits. For example, a set of Forstner bits may contain 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mm diameter cutters.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Fractional-inch drill bit sizes are still in common use in the United States and in any factory (around the globe) that makes inch-sized products for the U.S. market.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: ANSI B94.11M-1979 sets size standards for jobber-length straight-shank twist drill bits from 1/64 inch through 1 inch in 1/64 inch increments. For Morse taper-shank drill bits, the standard continues in 1/64 inch increments up to 1¾ inch, then 1/32 inch increments up to 2¼ inch, 1/16 inch increments up to 3 inches, 1/8 inch increments up to 3¼ inches, and a single 1/4 inch increment to 3½ inches. One aspect of this method of sizing is that the size increment between drill bits becomes larger as bit sizes get smaller: 100% for the step from 1/64 to 1/32, but a much smaller percentage between 1 47/64 and 1 3/4.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Drill bit sizes are written as irreducible fractions. So, instead of 78/64 inch, or 1 14/64 inch, the size is noted as 1 7/32 inch.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Below is a chart providing the decimal-fraction equivalents that are most relevant to fractional-inch drill bit sizes (that is, 0 to 1 by 64ths). (Decimal places for .25, .5, and .75 are shown to thousandths [.250, .500, .750], which is how machinists usually think about them ["two-fifty", "five hundred", "seven-fifty"]. Machinists generally truncate the decimals after thousandths; for example, a 27/64" drill bit may be referred to in shop-floor speech as a "four-twenty-one drill".)


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Charts like this, printed at poster size, are widely posted on machine shop walls for handy reference by machinists as they work. For some tasks it is faster and less annoying to glance down a column of numbers on a poster than it is to punch calculator buttons or do penciled arithmetic.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: For anyone looking to create such a poster or to tailor the design and colors to their own preferences, spreadsheet software makes this fast and easy to do. The tools that the software provides—formulas, cell formatting with rounding, autofill, and sorting by numerical order—obviate any manual calculation and data entry. For example, one can create the inch nominal rows for the chart—with columns for inch fraction, inch decimal, and corresponding millimeter decimal conversion—using formulas, cell formatting with rounding, and autofill; and one can then create the metric nominal rows below that, with the inch decimal conversions being provided by formula; and then one can sort the whole sheet by size order, automatically interposing the inch nominal and metric nominal rows by size order. Font and color can be chosen to make a poster-size chart that is easy to read from 1 or 2 meters away. Printing can be done on a desktop printer, with the letter-size sheets then being stapled together to make up the larger poster.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Number drill bit gauge sizes range from size 80 (the smallest) to size 1 (the largest) followed by letter gauge size A (the smallest) to size Z (the largest). Although the ASME B94.11M twist drill standard, for example, lists sizes as small as size 97, sizes smaller than 80 are rarely encountered in practice.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Number and letter sizes are commonly used for twist drill bits rather than other drill forms, as the range encompasses the sizes for which twist drill bits are most often used.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: The gauge-to-diameter ratio is not defined by a formula; it is based on—but is not identical to—the Stubs Steel Wire Gauge, which originated in Britain during the 19th century. The accompanying graph illustrates the change in diameter with change in gauge, as well as the reduction in step size as the gauge size decreases. Each step along the horizontal axis is one gauge size.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Number and letter gauge drill bits are still in common use in the U.S. and to a lesser extent the UK, where they have largely been supplanted by metric sizes. Other countries that formerly used the number series have for the most part also abandoned these in favour of metric sizes.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: The shortest standard-length drills (that is, lowest length-to-diameter ratio) are "screw-machine-length drills" (sometimes abbreviated "S/M"). They are named for their use in screw machines. Their shorter flute length and shorter overall length compared to a standard jobber bit results in a more rigid drill bit, reducing deflection and breakage. They are rarely available in retail hardware stores or home centers.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Jobber-length drills are the most commonly found type of drill. The length of the flutes is between 9 and 14 times the diameter of the drill, depending on the drill size. So a diameter drill will be able to drill a hole deep, since it is 9 times the diameter in length. A diameter drill can drill a hole deep, since it is 13 times the diameter in flute length.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: The term "jobber" refers to a wholesale distributor—a person or company that buys from manufacturers and sells to retailers. Manufacturers producing drill bits "for the trade" (as opposed to for specialized machining applications with particular length and design requirements) made ones of medium length suitable for a wide variety of jobs, because that was the type most desirable for general distribution. Thus, at the time that the name of jobber-length drill bits became common, it reflected the same concept that names like "general-purpose" and "multipurpose" reflect.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Extended-reach or long-series drills are commonly called aircraft-length from their original use in manufacturing riveted aluminum aircraft. For bits thicker than a minimum size such as , they are available in fixed lengths such as rather than the progressive lengths of jobber drills.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: The image shows a long-series drill compared to its diametric equivalents, all are in diameter. The equivalent Morse taper drill shown in the middle is of the usual length for a taper-shank drill. The lower drill bit is the "jobber" or "parallel shank" equivalent.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Center drills are available with two different included angles; 60 degrees is the standard for drilling centre holes (for example for subsequent centre support in the lathe), but 90 degrees is also common and used when locating holes prior to drilling with twist drills. Center drills are made specifically for drilling lathe centers, but are often used as spotting drills because of their radial stiffness.


title: Drill bit sizes

text: Spotting drills are available in a relatively small range of sizes, both metric and imperial, as their purpose is to provide a precise spot for guiding a standard twist drill. Commonly available sizes are 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 18 mm. The drills are most ordinarily available with either 90° or 120° included angle points.


title: Ashvins

text: The Ashvins (), also known as Ashwini Kumara and Asvinau, are Hindu twin gods associated with medicine, health, dawn and sciences. In the "Rigveda", they are described as youthful divine twin horsemen, travelling in a chariot drawn by horses that are never weary, and portrayed as guardian deities that safeguard and rescue people by aiding them in various situations.


title: Ashvins

text: There are varying accounts, but Ashvins are generally mentioned as the sons of the sun god Surya and his wife Sanjna. In the epic "Mahabharata," the Pandava twins Nakula and Sahadeva were the children of the Ashvins.


title: Ashvins

text: The Sanskrit name "" (अश्विन्) derives from the Indo-Iranian stem "*Haćwa-" (cf. Avestan "aspā"), itself from the Indo-European word for the horse, "*Héḱwos", from which also descends the Lithuanian name "Ašvieniai".


title: Ashvins

text: In the "Rigveda", the Aśvins are always referred to in the dual, without individual names, although Vedic texts differentiate between the two Aśvins: "one of you is respected as the victorious lord of Sumakha, and the other as the fortunate son of heaven" ("RV" 1.181.4). They are called several times "divó nápātā," that is 'grandsons of Dyaús (the sky-god)'. This formula is comparable with the Lithuanian "Dievo sūneliai", 'sons of Dievas (the sky-god'), attached to the Ašvieniai; the Latvian "Dieva Dēli", the 'sons of Dievs (the sky-god)'; and the Greek "Diós-kouroi", the 'boys of Zeus', designating Castor and Pollux.


title: Ashvins

text: The twin gods are also referred to as "Nā́satyā" (possibly 'saviours'; a derivative of "nasatí", 'safe return home'), a name that appears 99 times in the "Rigveda". The epithet probably derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*nes-" ('to return home [safely]'), with cognates in the Avestan "Nā̊ŋhaiθya", the name of a demon – as a result of a Zoroastrian religious reformation that changed the status of prior deities –, and also in the Greek hero Nestor and in the Gothic verb "nasjan" ('save, heal').


title: Ashvins

text: In the later "Mahabharata", the Aśvins are often called the "Nasatyas" or "Dasras". Sometimes one of them is referred to as "Nasatya" and one as "Dasra".


title: Ashvins

text: The Aśvins are an instance of the Indo-European divine horse twins. Reflexes in other Indo-European religions include the Lithuanian Ašvieniai, the Latvian Dieva Dēli, the Greek Castor and Pollux; and possibly the English Hengist and Horsa, and the Welsh Bran and Manawydan. The first mention of the Nasatya twins is from a Mitanni treaty (c.1350 BCE), between Suppiluliuma and Shattiwaza, respectively kings of the Hittites and the Mitanni.


title: Ashvins

text: The Aśvins are mentioned 398 times in the "Rigveda", with more than 50 hymns specifically dedicated to them: 1.3, 1.22, 1.34, 1.46–47, 1.112, 1.116–120, 1.157–158, 1.180–184, 2.20, 3.58, 4.43–45, 5.73–78, 6.62–63, 7.67–74, 8.5, 8.8–10, 8.22, 8.26, 8.35, 8.57, 8.73, 8.85–87, 10.24, 10.39–41, 10.143.


title: Ashvins

text: According to the text, the Ashvins were born after the sun god Vivasvat and his wife Saranyu (Sanjna) engaged in love making in the form of a stallion and a mare respectively. The Ashvins are also called ""divó nápātā"", which is variously translated as either "sons" or "grandsons" of Dyaush. At one mention, the Indus (Sindhu) River is stated to be their mother. Ashvins were the close companions of the Vedic mother goddess Ushas (dawn) and sometimes they are even mentioned as her sons. The marriage of the Ashvin brothers is narrated in the "Sukta" 117 of Rigveda. According to the legend, the sun god, Surya-Savitra, had a daughter named Sūryā (with a long ā) and arranged a horse-race to choose her bridegroom. The Ashvins won the race and thus, both of them married Suryā. Pushan is also stated to have chosen the Ashvins to be his fathers.


title: Ashvins

text: The Ashvins are depicted as the helpers of mortals in various "suktas" of Rigveda. The "sukta" 112 describes that when the sage Dirghashravas prayed to Ashvins for rain, the twins poured sweet water from the sky. According to "sukta" 16, they also helped the sage Gotama, who was lost in a desert and begged for water. It is described that the gods dug a water well and helped the sage. According to another account, Rebha was bound, stabbed, and cast into the waters for nine days and ten nights before being saved by the twins. He was explicitly described as "dead" when the twins "raised (him) up" to save him ("RV" 10.39.9). Similarly, Bhujyu was saved after his father or evil companions abandoned him at sea when the twins brought him home from the dead ancestors ("RV," 1.119.4).


title: Ashvins

text: The Ashvins also raised Vandana, rescued Atri from a fissure in the earth and its heat, found Vishnapu and returned him to his father, restored the youth of Kali, brought Kamadyū as a wife for Vimada, gave a son to Vadhrimatī (whose husband was a steer), restored the eyesight of Rijrashva, replaced the foot of Vishpala with a metal one, made the cow Śayu give milk, gave a horse to Pedu, and put a horse's head on Dadhyañc.


title: Ashvins

text: According to the "Shatapatha Brahmana", Ashvins once tried to seduce Sukanya, the daughter of king Saryati and wife of an old sage named Chyavana. However, she refused and claimed that the twins were imperfect and told them to restore the youth of Chyavana. Desperate to know the reason for her words, they fulfilled her condition and the sage finally revealed that Ashvins were excluded from a yajna (fire sacrifice) performed by the gods, and thus, they were incomplete. Ashvins went to the sacrifice but the gods don't accept, claiming that the Ashvins were spending too much time with the mortals. After many attempts of explanation, they were finally accepted. The Ashvins are sometimes presented as fierce deities. In the "sukta" 117, they even destroyed an "asura" Vishvaka as well as his dynasty.


title: Ashvins

text: In the post-vedic texts of Hinduism, the Ashvins remain significant, and in these texts, one of them is referred as Nasatya and the another one is known as Darsa. Many of their legends are rewritten in various texts like the epic "Mahabharata", "Harivansha" and the "Puranas".


title: Ashvins

text: According to these texts, Sanjna, daughter of Vishvakarma, was married to Surya, but she was unable to bear his heat and decided to abandon him. She ran away and roamed in the forest of northern Kuru kingdom in the form of a mare. The "Vishnu Purana" adds that she performed austerities in the forest to gain control over Surya's heat. After Surya discovered Sanjna's disappearance, he located her and made love with her in a form of stallion. Sanjna gave birth to the twins through her nose. Rarely, in some "Purana"s, Ashvins are mentioned as the sons (creation) of the god Brahma.


title: Ashvins

text: These texts also elaborate the story of Chyavana, which was first narrated in Brahmanas. In this version, Sukanyathe beautiful daughter of the king Saryati


title: Ashvins

text: accidentally blinded the old Chyavana, who was performing austerities. She married him to save her kingdom from his wrath and served him dutifully. While traveling on their chariot, the Ashvins saw Sukanya in a forest and tried to seduce her. They asked her to choose one of them as her new husband, but she refused and remained faithful to Chyavana. The twins were impressed by her chastity and asked her to wish anything. Upon their request, she told them to restore the youth and sight of Chyavana. Ashvins agreed but they had a condition. After curing Chyavana, they would also take similar form and she would have to identify Chyavana. Sukanya showed her consent after getting permission from her husband. Ashvins took Chyavana into a lake and cured him. When a young Chyavana emerged from the lake, Ashvins also took forms similar to him and Sukanya successfully identified her husband.


title: Ashvins

text: The "Mahabharata" also narrates about the birth of Nakula and Sahadeva, who were the “spiritual sons” of the Ashvins. According to the epic, a king named Pandu was unable to make love due to a curse and didn't have any heir. However, he advised his wives, Kunti and Madri, to invoke various gods and ask for sons. Ashvins Nasatya and Darsa blessed Madri with Nakula and Sahadeva respectively.


title: Ashvins

text: The Aśvins are often associated with rescuing mortals and bringing them back to life. The "Rigveda" also describes the Aśvins as "bringing light": they gave "light-bringing help" ("svàrvatīr"…"ūtī́r", 1.119.8) to Bhujyu, and "raised (Rebha) up to see the sun" ("úd"…"aírayataṃ svàr dṛśé", 1.112.5).


title: Ashvins

text: The Aśvins are associated with honey, which was likely offered to them in a sacrifice. They are the chief deities in the Pravargya rite, in which they are offered hot milk. They are also associated with the morning pressing of Soma, because they are dual deities, along with Indra-Vāyu and Mitra-Varuṇa. They also are the last deities to receive Soma in the Atirātra, or Overnight Soma Ritual.


title: Ashvins

text: The Aśvins are invoked at dawn, the time of their principal sacrifice, and have a close connection with the dawn goddess, Uṣas: she is bidden to awaken them (8.9.17), they follow her in their chariot (8.5.2), she is born when they hitch their steeds (10.39.12), and their chariot is once said to arrive before her (1.34.10). They are consequently associated with the "return from darkness": the twins are called “darkness slayers” ("tamohánā", 3.39.3), they are invoked with the formula "you who have made light for mankind" ("yā́v"…"jyótir jánāya cakráthuḥ", 1.92.17), and their horses and chariot are described as "uncovering the covered darkness" ("aporṇuvántas táma ā́ párīvṛtam", 4.45.2).


title: Ashvins

text: The chariot of the Aśvins is repeatedly mentioned in the "Rigveda". Their chariot has three chariot-boxes, three wheels, three turnings, and three wheel rims. The emphasis on the number 3 is symbolized in the sacrifice with its three soma pressings. The chariot is pulled by bulls, buffaloes, horses, birds, geese, and falcons. The chariot allows the Aśvins to be quick and mobile and travel to a number of places, which is necessary to fulfill their role of rescuing people. Sūryā, the daughter of the Sun, is sometimes mentioned as the wife of the Aśvins, and she rides with them in their chariot.


title: Ashvins

text: It is also believed that the Ashvins were the first one to prepare the Chyawanprash formulation for Rishi Chyavana at his Ashram on Dhosi Hill near Narnaul, Haryana, India, hence the name "Chyawanprash".


title: Dirk

text: A dirk is a long bladed thrusting dagger. Historically, it gained its name from the Highland Dirk (Scots Gaelic "Dearg") where it was a personal weapon of officers engaged in naval hand-to-hand combat during the Age of Sail as well as the personal sidearm of Highlanders. It was also the traditional sidearm of the Highland Clansman and later used by the officers, pipers, and drummers of Scottish Highland regiments around 1725 to 1800 and by Japanese naval officers.


title: Dirk

text: The term is associated with Scotland in the Early Modern Era, being attested from about 1600. The term was spelled "dork" or "dirk" during the 17th century, presumed related to the Danish, Dutch and Swedish "dolk", and the German "dolch, tolch"; from a West Slavic "Tillich". The exact etymology is unclear. The modern spelling "dirk" is probably due to Samuel Johnson's 1755 "Dictionary". The term is also used for "dagger" generically, especially in the context of prehistoric daggers such as the Oxborough dirk.


title: Dirk

text: The Scottish dirk (also "Highland dirk", Scottish Gaelic: "Biodag"), as a symbolic traditional and ceremonial weapon of the Highland Cathairean (cateran or warrior), is worn by officers, pipers and drummers of Scottish Highland regiments. The development of the Scottish dirk as a weapon is unrelated to that of the naval dirk; it is a modern continuation of the 16th-century ballock or rondel dagger.


title: Dirk

text: The traditional Scottish dirk is a probable development from the 16th century but like all medieval societies, the Highlander needed a knife for everyday use. The dirk became symbolic of a Highland man’s honour and oaths were sworn on the steel which was believed to be holy. The following highlights the importance of the dirk in Highland culture:


title: Dirk

text: The dirk occupies a unique niche in Highland culture and history. Many Highland Scots were too cash-poor to buy a sword, following the Disarming Acts enacted to erode Highland martial insurrections but virtually every male carried a dirk—and carried it everywhere! If in Japan the katana was the soul of the Samurai, in Scotland the dirk was the heart of the Highlander. In many warrior cultures oaths were sworn on one's sword. Among the Gael, however, binding oaths with the force of a geas (involving dire supernatural penalties for breaking such an oath) were sworn on one's dirk. The English, aware of this, used the custom against the Highlanders after Culloden: When Highland dress was prohibited in 1747 those Gael who could not read or sign an oath were required to swear a verbal oath, "in the Irish (Scots Gaelic) tongue and upon the holy iron of their dirks", not to possess any gun, sword, or pistol, or to use tartan: "... and if I do so may I be cursed in my undertakings, family and property, may I be killed in battle as a coward, and lie without burial in a strange land, far from the graves of my forefathers and kindred; may all this come across me if I break my oath."


title: Dirk

text: During the period of proscription, only service in a British regiment permitted Highlanders to bear their traditional arms and dress. The 78th Fraser Highlanders, raised in 1757, wore full highland dress uniform; their equipment was described by Major-General James Stewart in 1780 as including a "musket and broadsword, to which many soldiers added the dirk at their own expense."


title: Dirk

text: As is well documented in the oral traditions and in almost every title written prior to 1979; The perceived "holiness" of the steel is likely to have originated in folk superstitions. These origins are often ascribed to "magic" in the forging of Germanic steel. For this reason, it is established that Highlanders retained reverence for blades forged from Solingen steel.


title: Dirk

text: The modern development of the Scottish dirk into a ceremonial weapon occurred during the 19th century. The shape of the grip developed from the historical more cylindrical form to a shape intended to represent the thistle. Fancier fittings, often of silver, became popular shortly after 1800. The hilts of modern Scottish dirks are often carved from dark colored wood such as bog oak or ebony. Hilts and scabbards are often lavishly decorated with silver mounts and have pommels set with cairngorm stones. The blades measure 12" in length and are single edged with decorative file work known as "jimping" on the unsharpened back edge of the blade. When worn, the dirk normally hangs by a leather strap known as a "frog" from a dirk belt, which is a wide leather belt having a large, usually ornate buckle, that is worn around the waist with a kilt. Many Scottish dirks carry a smaller knife and fork which fit into compartments on the front of the sheath, and a smaller knife known as a sgian dubh is also worn tucked into the top of the hose when wearing a kilt.


title: Dirk

text: A thrusting weapon, the naval dirk originally functioned as a boarding weapon and as a functional fighting dagger. During the days of sail, midshipmen and officers wore dirks; the daggers gradually evolved into ceremonial weapons and badges of office. In the Royal Navy, the naval dirk is still presented to junior officers; the basic design of the weapon has changed little in the last 500 years.


title: Dirk

text: The naval dirk (Polish: "kordzik", Russian: кортик) became part of the uniform of naval officers and civilian officials in the Navy Ministry of the Russian Empire, and in the Soviet navy an element of the dress uniform of officers. Later, it became an element of other uniforms as well, e.g. of officers in the Russian and Polish army and air force and of the police forces in some countries.


title: Dirk

text: In the US, the dirk was introduced by Scottish immigrants in the 1700s. This was originally a single-edged weapon, but by 1745 more commonly had a double-edged blade making the dirk more or less synonymous with the dagger. Dirks were often made from old sword blades. In the nineteenth centuries dirks started to be made with a curved blade, but returned to a straight blade by the end of the century. Some were long enough to be considered a short sword.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Bhangra is a type of traditional folk dance of Punjab, originating in the Sialkot area of Punjab, Pakistan. It is done in the season of harvesting. According to Manual (2001), bhangra is especially associated with the vernal Vaisakhi festival.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: In a typical performance, several dancers execute vigorous kicks, leaps, and bends of the body—often with upraised, thrusting arm or shoulder movements—to the accompaniment of short songs called "boliyan" and, most significantly, to the beat of a "dhol" (double-headed drum). Struck with a heavy beater on one end and with a lighter stick on the other, the "dhol" imbues the music with a syncopated (accents on the weak beats), swinging rhythmic character that has generally remained the hallmark of bhangra music. An energetic Punjabi dance, bhangra originated with Punjab farmers as a cultural and communal celebration; its modern-day evolution has allowed bhangra to retain its traditional Punjabi roots, while broadening its reach to include integration into popular music and DJing, group-based competitions, and even exercise and dance programs in schools and studios.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Bhangra was mainly done by Punjabi farmers during the harvesting season. It was mainly performed while farmers did agricultural chores. As they did each farming activity they would perform bhangra moves on the spot. This allowed them to finish their job in a pleasurable way. After harvesting their wheat crops during the Vaisakhi season, people used to attend cultural festivals while dancing bhangra. For many years, farmers performed bhangra to showcase a sense of accomplishment and to welcome the new harvesting season.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: The origins of traditional bhangra are speculative. According to Dhillon (1998), bhangra is related to the Punjabi dance 'Bagaa', which is a martial dance of Punjab. However, the folk dance of Bhangra originated in the Sialkot district of Majha. The traditional form of bhangra danced in the villages of Sialkot district was regarded as the standard. The community form of traditional bhangra has been maintained in Gurdaspur district, India, and has been maintained by people who have settled in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Traditional


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: bhangra is performed in a circle and is performed using traditional dance steps. Traditional bhangra is now also performed on occasions other than during the harvest season. According to Ganhar (1975), bhangra originated into Sialkot of Majha which shares high affinity with Jammu making it part of the heritage of Jammu which is danced on Baisakhi. Other Punjabi folk dances such as Giddha and Luddi have also been heritage of Jammu. Punjabi language influences can be observed when people dance such dances. Jammu falls within the Punjab region and shares an affinity with Punjab.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: The 1950s saw the development of the free form traditional bhangra in Punjab, which was patronized by the Maharaja of Patiala, who requested a staged performance of bhangra in 1953. The first significant developers of this style were a dance troupe led by brothers from the Deepak family of Sunam (Manohar, Avtar and Gurbachan) and the dhol player Bhana Ram Sunami. Free form traditional bhangra developed during stage performances which incorporate traditional bhangra moves and also include sequences from other Punjabi dances, namely, Luddi, Jhummar, Dhamaal, and Gham Luddi. The singing of Punjabi folk songs, boliyan, are incorporated from Malwai Giddha. Bhangra competitions have been held in Punjab, India, for many decades, with Mohindra College in Patiala being involved in the 1950s.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Bhangra connects to a much deeper set of masculine values. Most of these values are set through labour, industry and self-sufficiency in agriculture, loyalty, independence and bravery in personal, political and military endeavours; and the development and expression of virility, vigour, and honour are common themes. "Bhangra" referred both to formal male performances and to communal dancing among men and women. In the past 30 years, bhangra has been established all over the world. It has become integrated into popular Asian culture after being mixed with hip hop, house and reggae styles of music. Certain bhangra moves have been adapted and changed over time but at its core remains a sense of cultural identity and tradition. We see bhangra take place mainly in the Punjabi culture. Many people tend to showcase bhangra as a source of joy and entertainment at weddings, parties, and all sorts of celebrations.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Many people also do bhangra as a source of exercise, it is an excellent substitution to the gym. Traditionally, bhangra is danced by men but now we see both men and women participating in this dance form. With bhangra competitions all over the world, we see all sorts of people competing in these events.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Nowadays, many second-generation Punjabi women who are connecting with their culture through bhangra. Many of these young girls tend to bring their bhangra moves into the club scene. D.J. Rekha was one of the first South Asian women to bring popularity to bhangra in the U.S by introducing her Basement Bhangra Parties. Many university and community clubs have started their own bhangra teams. Most of these teams have a wide variety of men and women who come from different backgrounds. Many businesses have created bhangra clubs with the mindset to teach younger kids bhangra. These programs have helped young children stay healthy and connected to the culture of bhangra. Sarina Jain was the very first woman who created the bhangra fitness workout, which is now known as the Masala Bhangra Workout. This workout has taught many people all over the world the basic steps associated with bhangra, allowing them to learn bhangra in the comfort of their own home.


title: Bhangra (dance)

text: Raaniyan Di Raunaq is India's first all-women's bhangra competition. Even with the abundance of female bhangra performers, many see this dance form as only masculine. Historically, women have fought for the right to perform bhangra. Many women that compete in bhangra shows are judged according to a criterion that is made for male performers. Raaniyan Di Raunaq has customized a bhangra competition just for women or for those who identify as transgender or nonbinary. This competition has coveted a safe space for women to have the ability to compete and be judged equally.


title: Police car

text: A police car (also called a police cruiser, police interceptor, patrol car, area car, cop car, prowl car, squad car, radio car, or radio motor patrol) is a ground vehicle used by police and law enforcement for transportation during patrols and responses to calls for service. A type of emergency vehicle, police cars are used by police officers to patrol a beat, quickly reach incident scenes, and transport and temporarily detain suspects, all while establishing a police presence and providing visible crime deterrence.


title: Police car

text: Police cars are traditionally sedans, though SUVs, crossovers, station wagons, hatchbacks, pickup trucks, utes, vans, trucks, off-road vehicles, and even performance cars have seen use in both standard patrol roles and specialized applications. Most police cars are existing vehicle models sold on the civilian market that may or may not be modified variants of their original models (such as the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor being a variant of the Ford Crown Victoria); the few purpose-built examples include the canceled Carbon Motors E7 and the Lenco BearCat armored vehicle.


title: Police car

text: Police cars usually contain communication devices, issued weaponry, and a variety of equipment, with emergency lights, a siren, and livery markings to distinguish the vehicle as a police car.


title: Police car

text: The first police car was an electric wagon used by the Akron Police Department in Akron, Ohio in 1899. The first operator of the police patrol wagon was Officer Louis Mueller, Sr. It could reach and travel before its battery needed to be recharged. The car was built by city mechanical engineer Frank Loomis. The US$2,400 vehicle was equipped with electric lights, gongs, and a stretcher. The car's first assignment was to pick up a drunken man at the junction of Main and Exchange streets.


title: Police car

text: Ford introduced the flathead V8 in the 1932 Ford as the first mass-marketed V8 car; this low-priced, mass-marketed V8 car became popular with police in the United States, establishing strong brand loyalty that continued into the 21st century. Starting in the 1940s, major American automakers, namely the Big Three, began to manufacture specialized police cars. Over time, these became their own dedicated police fleet offerings, such as the Ford Police Interceptor and Chevrolet 9C1.


title: Police car

text: In the United Kingdom, Captain Athelstan Popkess, Chief Constable of the Nottingham City Police from 1930 to 1959, transformed British police from their Victorian era foot patrol beat model to the modern car-based reactive response model, through his development of the "Mechanized Division", which used two-way radio communication between police command and police cars. Under Popkess, the Nottingham City Police began to use police cars as an asset that police tactics centered around, such as overlaying police car patrol sectors over foot patrol beats and using police cars to pick up foot patrol officers while responding to crimes.


title: Police car

text: As car ownership increased in the post-World War II economic expansion, police cars became significantly more common in a majority of developed countries as car ownership increased, police jurisdictions expanded farther out into residential and suburban areas, car-oriented urban planning and highways dominated cities, vehicular crimes and police evasion in cars increased, and more equipment was issued to police officers, to the point that vehicles became practically necessary for modern law enforcement.


title: Police car

text: Various types of police car exist. Depending on the organization of the law enforcement agency, the class of vehicle used as a police car, and the environmental factors of the agency's jurisdiction, many of the types below may or may not exist in certain fleets, or their capabilities may be merged to create all-rounded units with shared vehicles as opposed to specialized units with separate vehicles.


title: Police car

text: A patrol car is a police car used for standard patrol. Used to replace traditional foot patrols, the patrol car's primary function is to provide transportation for regular police duties, such as responding to calls, enforcing laws, or simply establishing a more visible police presence while on patrol. Driving a patrol car allows officers to reach their destinations more quickly and to cover more ground compared to other methods. Patrol cars are typically designed to be identifiable as police cars to the public and thus almost always have proper markings, roof-mounted emergency lights, and sirens.


title: Police car

text: A response car, also known as a pursuit car, area car, rapid response unit, or fast response car, is a police car used to ensure quick responses to emergencies compared to patrol cars. It is likely to be of a higher specification, capable of higher speeds, and often fitted with unique markings and increased-visibility emergency lights. These cars are generally only used to respond to emergency incidents and may carry specialized equipment not used in regular patrol cars, such as long arms.


title: Police car

text: A traffic car, also known as a highway patrol car, traffic enforcement unit, speed enforcement unit, or road policing unit, is a police car tasked with enforcing traffic laws and conducting traffic stops, typically on major roadways such as highways. They are often relatively high-performance vehicles compared to patrol cars, as they must be capable of catching up to fast-moving vehicles. They may have specific markings or special emergency lights to either improve or hinder visibility. Alternatively, some traffic cars may use the same models as patrol cars, and may barely differ from them aside from markings, radar speed guns, and traffic-oriented equipment.


title: Police car

text: An unmarked car is a police car that lacks markings and often easily-visible or roof-mounted emergency lights. They are generally used for varying purposes, ranging from standard patrol and traffic enforcement to sting operations and detective work. They have the advantage of not being immediately recognizable, and are considered a valuable tool in catching criminals while the crime is still taking place. The resemblance an unmarked police car has to a civilian vehicle varies based on their application: they may use the same models as marked patrol cars, and may be virtually identical to them aside from the lack of roof-mounted emergency lights, with pushbars and spotlights clearly visible; alternatively, they may use common civilian vehicle models that blend in with traffic, with emergency lights embedded in the grille or capable of being hidden and revealed, such as Japanese unmarked cars having retractable beacons built into the car's roof.


title: Police car

text: Unmarked cars typically use regular civilian license plates, occasionally even in jurisdictions where emergency vehicles and government vehicles use unique license plates, though some agencies or jurisdictions may use the unique plates regardless; for example, American federal law enforcement agencies may use either government plates or regular license plates.


title: Police car

text: The term "undercover car" is often used to describe unmarked cars. However, this usage is erroneous; unmarked cars are police cars that lack markings but have police equipment, emergency lights, and sirens, while undercover cars lack these entirely and are essentially just civilian vehicles used by law enforcement in undercover operations to avoid detection.


title: Police car

text: The close resemblance of unmarked cars to civilian cars has created concerns of police impersonation. Some police officers advise motorists that they do not have to pull over in a secluded location and instead can wait until they reach somewhere safer. In the UK, officers must be wearing uniforms in order to make traffic stops. Motorists can also ask for the officer's badge and identification or call an emergency number or a police non-emergency number to confirm if the police unit is genuine.


title: Police car

text: A ghost car, also known as a stealth car, is a police car that combines elements of both an unmarked car and a marked patrol car, featuring markings that are either similar colors to the vehicle's body paint, or are reflective graphics that are difficult to see unless illuminated by lights or viewed at certain angles. Ghost cars are often used for traffic enforcement, though they may also be used in lieu of unmarked cars in jurisdictions where they are prohibited or have their enforcement capabilities limited, such as being unable to conduct traffic stops. In these instances, the markings on ghost cars may be sufficient to legally count as marked police cars, despite the markings being difficult to see.


title: Police car

text: A utility vehicle is a police car used for utility or support purposes as opposed to regular police duties. Utility vehicles are often all-wheel drive vehicles with cargo space such as SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, utes, or off-road vehicles. They are often used to transport or tow assets such as trailers, equipment, or even entire vehicles such as police boats; they are alternatively used for or are capable of off-roading, especially in fleets where most other vehicles cannot do so. They can also be used for animal control, if that is the responsibility of police within that jurisdiction. Some utility vehicles can be used for transporting teams of officers and occasionally have facilities to securely detain and transport a small number of suspects, provided there is enough seating space.


title: Police car

text: A police dog vehicle, also known as a K-9 vehicle or a police dog unit, is a police car modified to transport police dogs. The models used for these vehicles range from the same as patrol cars to dedicated SUVs, pickup trucks, or vans. To provide sufficient space for the police dog, there is usually a cage in the trunk or rear seats with enough space for the dog, though some agencies may put the cage in the front passenger seat, or may even lack a cage entirely and simply have the dog in the rear compartment. There may or may not be space for suspect transport or even additional officers. Police dog vehicles almost always have markings noting they have a police dog on board, typically just the agency's standard markings with the added notice.


title: Police car

text: A decoy car is a police car used to establish a police presence, typically to deter traffic violations or speeding, without a police officer actually being present. They may be older models retired from use, civilian cars modified to resemble police cars, or demonstration vehicles. In some instances, a "decoy car" may not be a vehicle at all, but rather a life-sized cutout or sign depicting a police car. Use of decoy cars is intended to ensure crime deterrence without having to commit manpower, allowing the officer that would otherwise be there to be freed up for other assignments. A drawback of decoy cars is that they cannot actually enforce laws, and motorists that notice that the police car is a decoy can freely ignore it. To circumvent this, decoy cars may be moved to other locations, used alongside traffic enforcement cameras to directly enforce laws, or used in conjunction with hidden police units further down the road to catch motorists that believe they are safe to continue speeding or are flagged for further crimes such as arrest warrants.


title: Police car

text: The use of decoy cars is entirely up to the agency, though in 2005, the Virginia General Assembly considered a bill that would make decoy cars a legal requirement for police. The bill stated in part: "Whenever any law-enforcement vehicle is permanently taken out of service... such vehicle shall be placed at a conspicuous location within a highway median in order to deter violations of motor vehicle laws at that location. Such vehicles shall... be rotated from one location to another as needed to maintain their deterrent effect."


title: Police car

text: A surveillance car is a police car used for surveillance purposes. Usually SUVs, vans, or trucks, surveillance cars can be marked, unmarked, undercover, or disguised, and may be crewed or remotely monitored. They are used to gather evidence of criminal offenses or provide better vantage points at events or high-traffic areas. The surveillance method used varies, and may include CCTV, hidden cameras, wiretapping devices, or even aerial platforms. Some surveillance cars may also be used as bait cars, deployed to catch car thieves.


title: Police car

text: A police armored vehicle, also known as a SWAT vehicle, tactical vehicle, or rescue vehicle, is an armored vehicle used in a police capacity. They are typically four-wheeled armored personnel carriers with similar configurations to MRAPs, often lacking mounted weaponry. As their name implies, they are typically used to transport police tactical units such as SWAT teams, though they may also be used in riot control or to establish police presence at events.


title: Police car

text: A mobile command center, also known as an emergency operations center, mobile command post, or mobile police station, is a truck used to provide a central command center at the scene of an incident, or to establish a visible police presence or temporary police station at an event.


title: Police car

text: A bomb disposal vehicle is a vehicle used by bomb disposal squads to transport equipment and bomb disposal robots, or to store bombs for later disposal. They are often vans or trucks, typically with at least one bomb containment chamber installed in the rear of the vehicle, and ramps to allow bomb disposal robots to access the vehicle. Bomb disposal vehicles are generally not explosive-resistant and are only used for transporting explosives for disposal, not actively disposing of them.


title: Police car

text: An armed police vehicle is a police vehicle that has lethal weaponry installed on it. These are often technicals or light utility vehicles with machine gun turrets, and may or may not lack emergency lights and sirens. Armed police vehicles are very rare and are usually only used in wartime, in regions with very high violent crime rates, or where combat with organized crime or insurgencies is common to the point that armed police vehicles are necessary; for example, the Iraqi Police received technicals during the Iraq War, and the National Police of Ukraine used armed vehicles during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the STREIT Group Spartan and a modified BMW 6 Series with a mounted machine gun.


title: Police car

text: These should not be confused with police vehicles that have turrets but do not have guns, which are often just police armored vehicles (or, if less-lethal munitions are used, riot control vehicles).


title: Police car

text: A riot control vehicle, also known as a riot suppression vehicle or simply a riot vehicle, is an armored or reinforced police vehicle used for riot control. A wide array of vehicles, from armored SUVs and vans to dedicated trucks and armored personnel carriers, are used by law enforcement to suppress or intimidate riots, public order crimes, and protests; hold and reinforce a police barricade to keep the scene contained; or simply transport officers and equipment at the scene in a safer manner than what could be achieved with a standard police car.


title: Police car

text: Common modifications include tear gas launchers, shields, and caged windows. Some riot control vehicles also include less-lethal weaponry and devices, such as water cannons and long-range acoustic devices.


title: Police car

text: A community engagement vehicle, also known as a liaison vehicle, demonstration vehicle, or parade car, is a police car used for display and community policing purposes, but not for patrol duties. These are often high-performance, modified cars, classic police cars, or vehicles seized from convicted criminals and converted to police cars, used to represent the agency in parades, promote a specific program (such as the D.A.R.E. program), or help build connections between law enforcement and certain groups that the vehicle appeals to.


title: Police car

text: Some cars can be visibly marked but not fitted with audio or visual warning devices. These are used by community liaison officers for transport to engagements and making appearances at community events.


title: Police car

text: Some vehicles are produced by automotive manufacturers with police markings to showcase them to police departments; these are usually concepts, prototypes, or reveals of their police fleet offerings. Emergency light and siren manufacturers such as Federal Signal, Whelen, and Code 3 also use unofficial police cars to demonstrate their emergency vehicle equipment.


title: Police car

text: Police cars are usually passenger car models which are upgraded to the specifications required by the purchasing police service. Several vehicle manufacturers provide a "police package" option, which is built to police specifications from the factory. Agencies may add to these modifications by adding their own equipment and making their own modifications after purchasing a vehicle.


title: Police car

text: Modifications a police car might undergo include adjustments for higher durability, speed, high-mileage driving, and long periods of idling at a higher temperature. This is usually accomplished through installing heavy duty suspension, brakes, calibrated speedometer, tires, alternator, transmission, and cooling systems. The car's stock engine may be modified or replaced by a more powerful engine from another vehicle from the manufacturer. The car's electrical system may also be upgraded to accommodate for the additional electronic police equipment.


title: Police car

text: Police vehicles are often fitted with audible and visual warning systems to alert other motorists of their approach or position on the road. In many countries, use of the audible and visual warnings affords the officer a degree of exemption from road traffic laws (such as the right to exceed speed limits, or to treat red stop lights as a yield sign) and may also suggest a duty on other motorists to yield for the police car and allow it to pass.


title: Police car

text: Passive visual warnings are the livery markings on the vehicle. Police vehicle markings usually make use of bright colors or strong contrast with the base color of the vehicle. Some police cars have retroreflective markings that reflect light for better visibility at night, though others may only have painted on or non-reflective markings. Examples of markings and designs used in police liveries include black and white, Battenburg markings, Sillitoe tartan, and "jam sandwich" markings.


title: Police car

text: Police vehicle markings include, at the very least, the word ""police"" (or a similar applicable phrase if the agency does not use that term, such as ""sheriff"", ""gendarmerie"", ""state trooper"", ""public safety"" etc.) and the agency's name or jurisdiction (such as ""national police"" or ""Chicago Police""). Also common are the agency's seal, the jurisdiction's seal, and a unit number. Text is usually in the national language or local language, though other languages may be used where appropriate, such as in ethnic enclaves or areas with large numbers of tourists.


title: Police car

text: Unmarked vehicles generally lack passive visual warnings, while ghost cars have markings that are visible only at certain angles, such as from the rear or sides, making them appear unmarked when viewed from the front.


title: Police car

text: Another unofficial passive visual warning of police vehicles can simply be the vehicle's silhouette if its use as a police car is common, such as that of the Ford Crown Victoria in North America, or the presence of emergency vehicle equipment on the vehicle, such as a pushbar or a roof-mounted lightbar.


title: Police car

text: Active visual warnings are the emergency lights on the vehicle. These lights are used while responding to attract the attention of other road users and coerce them into yielding for the police car to pass. The colors used by police car lights depend on the jurisdiction, though they are commonly blue and red. Several types of flashing lights are used, such as rotating beacons, halogen lamps, or LED strobes. Some agencies use arrow sticks to direct traffic, or message display boards to provide short messages or instructions to motorists. The headlights and tail lights of some vehicles can be made to flash, or small strobe lights can be fitted in the vehicle lights.


title: Police car

text: Audible warnings are the sirens on the vehicle. These sirens alert road users to the presence of an emergency vehicle before they can be seen, to warn of their approach. The first audible warnings were mechanical bells, mounted to either the front or roof of the car. A later development was the rotating air siren, which makes noise when air moves past it. Most modern police vehicles use electronic sirens, which can produce a range of different noises. Different models and manufacturers have distinct siren noises; one siren model, the Rumbler, emits a low frequency sound that can be felt through vibrations, allowing those who would not otherwise hear the siren or see the emergency vehicle to still know it is approaching.


title: Police car

text: Different siren noises may be used depending on traffic conditions and the context. For example, on a clear road, "wail" (a long up-and-down unbroken tone) is often used, whereas in heavy slow traffic or at intersections, "yelp" (essentially a sped-up wail) may be preferred. Other noises are used in certain countries and jurisdictions, such as "phaser" (a series of brief sped-up beeps) and "hi-lo" (a two-tone up-down sound). Some vehicles may also be fitted with electronic airhorns.


title: Police car

text: A wide range of equipment is carried in police cars, used to make police work easier or safer. The installation of this equipment in a police car partially transforms it into a desk. Police officers use their car to fill out different forms, print documents, type on a computer or a console, and examine different screens, all while driving. Ergonomics in layout and installation of these items in the police car plays an important role in the comfort and safety of the police officers at work and preventing injuries such as back pain and musculoskeletal disorders.


title: Police car

text: Police radio systems are generally standard equipment in police cars, used to communicate between the officers assigned to the car and the dispatcher. Mobile data terminals are also common as alternative ways to communicate with the dispatcher or receive important information, and are typically a tablet or a dashboard-mounted laptop installed in the car.


title: Police car

text: Suspect transport enclosures are typically located at the rear of the vehicle, taking up the rear seats or rear compartment. The seats are sometimes modified to be a hard metal or plastic bench. Separating the transport enclosure is often a partition, a barrier between the front and rear compartments typically made of metal with a window made of reinforced glass, clear plastic, or metal mesh or bars. Some police cars do not have partitions; in these instances, another officer may have to sit in the rear to secure the suspect, or a dedicated transport vehicle may be called.


title: Police car

text: Weapons may be stored in the trunk or front compartment of the vehicle. In countries where police officers are already armed with handguns, long guns such as rifles or shotguns may be kept on a gun rack in the front or in the trunk, alongside ammunition. In countries where police are not armed or do not keep their guns on them, handguns may be kept in the car instead; for example, Norwegian Police Service officers are issued handguns, but they keep them in a locked compartment in their car that requires high-ranking authorization to access. Less-lethal weaponry and riot gear may also be stored in the trunk.


title: Police car

text: Rescue equipment such as first aid kits, dressing, fire extinguishers, defibrillators, and naloxone kits are often kept in police cars to provide first aid and rescue when necessary.


title: Police car

text: Tools such as barricade tape, traffic cones, traffic barricades, and road flares are often kept in police cars to secure scenes for further investigation.


title: Police car

text: Recording equipment such as dashcams and interior cameras are installed in some police cars to make audio and video recordings of incidents, police interactions, and evidence.


title: Police car

text: Detector devices such as radar speed guns, automatic number-plate recognition, and LoJack are used in some police cars, typically in traffic enforcement, to detect speeding violations, read multiple plates for flags (such as warrants or lack of insurance) without having to manually check, and track stolen cars, respectively.


title: Police car

text: Pushbars, also known as bullbars, rambars, or nudge bars, are fitted to the chassis of a police car to augment the front bumper. They allow the car to push disabled vehicles out of a roadway, breach small and light objects, and conduct PIT maneuvers with less damage to the front of the vehicle. Pushbar designs vary; some are small and only protect the grille, while others have extensions that shield as far as the headlights. Some pushbars also have emergency lights installed on them, providing additional visual warnings.


title: Police car

text: Spotlights are small searchlights typically installed on the A-pillar of a police car. They are used to provide light in darkened areas or where necessary, such as down alleyways or into a suspect's car during a nighttime traffic stop. These spotlights can be aimed and activated by the officers inside the vehicle. Usually, one or two are installed on the car, though more may occasionally be installed on the roof, grille, bumper, or pushbar.


title: Police car

text: Run locks allow the vehicle's engine to be left running without the keys being in the ignition. This allows adequate power to be supplied to the vehicle's equipment at the scene of an incident without battery drain. The vehicle can only be driven after inserting the keys; if the keys are not inserted, the engine will switch off if the handbrake is disengaged or the footbrake is activated.


title: Police car

text: Some police cars can be optionally upgraded with bullet-resistant armor in the car doors. The armor is typically made from ceramic ballistic plates and aramid baffles. A 2016 news report said that Ford sells 5 to 10 percent of their American police vehicles with ballistic protection in the doors. In 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all NYPD patrol cars would have bullet-resistant door panels and bullet-resistant window inserts installed.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: She also works for the Makai company, and makes appearances for the Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave promotions.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: She started her professional wrestling career in 2008, when she joined the Ice Ribbon promotion, after taking part in a film titled "Three Count", set in the world of professional wrestling. She remained with the promotion until 2014, becoming a one-time ICE×60 Champion and four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. Outside of Ice Ribbon, Shida has held the Wave Single Championship, the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship and the Sendai Girls Tag Team Championship.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: In her childhood, Shida practised both judo and kendo, reaching third-dan in the latter. She later embarked on a career as an actress, most notably working on the television series "Muscle Venus", forming an idol group with fellow cast members Hina Kozuki, Ichiko Mayu, Miyako Matsumoto, Sachiko Koga, Tomoyo Morihisa, Tsukasa Fujimoto, Yuki Ueda and Yuri Natsume. In 2009, Shida was cast in the leading role in a film titled "Three Count", set in the world of professional wrestling and also starring veteran professional wrestlers Emi Sakura, Kyoko Inoue and Yoshiko Tamura. For the role, Shida began training under Sakura at her Ice Ribbon dojo and after the conclusion of the taping, decided to find a new career in professional wrestling, joining Ice Ribbon with fellow cast members of both "Muscle Venus" and "Three Count", Ichiko Mayu, Miyako Matsumoto, Sachiko Koga, Tomoyo Morihisa, Tsukasa Fujimoto and Yuki Ueda, though only Shida, Matsumoto and Fujimoto lasted more than six months, making new careers out of professional wrestling.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: Shida made her debut for Ice Ribbon on July 20, 2008, losing to Kazumi Shimouma. As is customary for a rookie in Japanese professional wrestling, Shida's first months in the business included mainly losses with only one singles victory, over Miyako Matsumoto on November 15. In March 2009, Shida finally started picking up victories more regularly, starting a partnership, and later a feud, with Makoto. On September 13, 2009, Shida ventured into the world of mixed martial arts, when she took part in a grappling match at the Jewels promotion's "5th Ring" event. Shida lost the match, after submitting to Ayaka Hamasaki's armlock in 38 seconds.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: During the summer of 2010, Shida made several appearances for the NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling promotion. Though pegged early on as the "Future Ace of "Joshi Puroresu"", Shida was the last of the Three Count threesome to reach a championship in Ice Ribbon. On October 20, 2010, Shida and Tsukasa Fujimoto received their first shot at the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by Emi Sakura and Nanae Takahashi. In a rematch between the two teams on December 23, Shida and Fujimoto were victorious and became the new International Ribbon Tag Team Champions. The following day the team, known collectively as Muscle Venus, made their debut for the Smash promotion at "Happening Eve", where they teamed with Sayaka Obihiro in a six-woman tag team match, where they were defeated by Cherry, Tomoka Nakagawa and Toshie Uematsu. Back in Ice Ribbon, Shida wrestled the biggest match of her career, up to that point, when she unsuccessfully challenged Yoshiko Tamura for the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships on December 26 at "Ribbon Mania 2010". Shida and Fujimoto then went on to successfully defend the International Tag Team Championship against Hikari Minami and Riho on January 4, 2011, and against the teams of Mochi Miyagi and Ryo Mizunami, and Makoto and Riho on February 6, winning the "Ike! Ike! Ima, Ike! Ribbon Tag Tournament" in the process. After defending the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship against Bambi and Makoto at a Kaientai Dojo event on March 20, Shida and Fujimoto lost the title to Emi Sakura and Ray six days later.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: On March 21, Shida was voted by Ice Ribbon fans as the opponent for visiting Smash wrestler Syuri. Shida would win the match with the "Falcon Arrow". The match eventually led to a partnership between the two Kanagawa wrestlers, and, after defeating Chii Tomiya and Makoto on April 16, Shida and Syuri went on to unsuccessfully challenge Emi Sakura and Ray for the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship on May 5. The partnership also carried over to Smash, where Shida and Syuri defeated Io and Mio Shirai in a tag team match on May 3 at "Smash.17". On June 9 at "Smash.18", Shida was defeated by Syuri in a first round match of a tournament to determine the inaugural Smash Diva Champion. On September 24, Shida and Fujimoto attempted to regain the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, but were defeated in the semifinals of a tournament for the vacant title by Manami Toyota and Tsukushi. The following month, Shida and Fujimoto, along with Emi Sakura and Hikari Minami, traveled to Nottingham, England to take part in events promoted by Pro Wrestling EVE and Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE). During 2011, Shida also took part in Ice Ribbon's interpromotional rivalry with the Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling promotion. On October 27, Shida, Emi Sakura, Hikari Minami, Tsukasa Fujimoto and Tsukushi represented Ice Ribbon in Sendai's Joshi Puroresu Dantai Taikou Flash tournament, a single-elimination tournament, where different "joshi" promotions battled each other. The team was eliminated from the tournament in the first round by Team Sendai (Meiko Satomura, Dash Chisako, Kagetsu, Miyako Morino and Sendai Sachiko).


title: Hikaru Shida

text: When Tsukasa Fujimoto regained the ICE×60 Championship on November 19, it was announced that Shida would be her first challenger on December 25 at "RibbonMania 2011". On December 7, Shida pinned Fujimoto in a tag team match, where she teamed with Maki Narumiya and Fujimoto with Mochi Miyagi. At "RibbonMania 2011", Shida defeated Fujimoto to win the ICE×60 Championship for the first time. Three days later, Shida and Maki Narumiya defeated Emi Sakura and Tsukushi to win the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, making Shida a double champion. On January 8, 2012, Shida main evented Bull Nakano's retirement show, losing to World Wonder Ring Stardom wrestler and Wonder of Stardom Champion Yuzuki Aikawa. After successful defenses against the Lovely Butchers (Hamuko Hoshi and Mochi Miyagi) and Dorami Nagano and Hailey Hatred, Shida and Narumiya lost the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship to Tsukasa Fujimoto and Tsukushi on February 5. On March 4, Shida made her debut for the Universal Woman's Pro Wrestling Reina promotion, defeating fellow Ice Ribbon worker Neko Nitta in the opening match of "Reina.28". On March 20, Shida made her first defense of the ICE×60 Championship, defeating Aoi Kizuki. Her second successful defense took place on April 21, when she defeated IW19 Champion Kurumi. After defeating Otera Pro representative Aki Shizuku in a non-title match, Shida sent out a challenge to her friend, Wrestling New Classic's Kana. The first confrontation between Shida and Kana took place on April 25, when Kana and Shizuku defeated Shida and April Davids in a tag team match. On May 5 at "Golden Ribbon 2012", Shida was defeated by Kana in a non-title singles match. Afterwards, Shida began feuding with former tag team partner Maki Narumiya. After a non-title match between the two on May 26 ended in a ten-minute time limit draw, Narumiya was named the number one contender to the ICE×60 Championship, provided she could make the weight limit. On June 9, Shida took part in the first event of Reina X World, the follow-up promotion to Universal Woman's Pro Wrestling Reina, during which she and Tsukasa Fujimoto defeated Aki Kanbayashi and Mia Yim in the finals of a four-team tournament to win the vacant Reina World Tag Team Championship. On June 17, Shida defeated Maki Narumiya in the main event of Ice Ribbon's sixth anniversary event to make her third successful defense of the ICE×60 Championship. In July, as the reigning Reina World Tag Team Champions, Shida and Fujimoto traveled to Mexico to work for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Working just under their given names, Hikaru and Tsukasa made their CMLL debuts on July 3 in Guadalajara, teaming with La Comandante in a six-woman tag team match, where they were defeated by Goya Kong, Luna Mágica and Silueta. Three days later, Hikaru and Tsukasa teamed with Lady Apache in Mexico City in another six-woman tag team match, where they were defeated by Dark Angel, Estrellita and Marcela. Hikaru's and Tsukasa's tour of CMLL concluded on June 8 in Mexico City, when they teamed with Princesa Sujei to defeat Dalys la Caribeña, Lluvia and Luna Mágica in a six-woman tag team match. Upon her return to Japan, Shida made her fourth successful defense of the ICE×60 Championship by defeating Hamuko Hoshi on July 15 at "Sapporo Ribbon 2012". On August 5, Shida made her debut for Oz Academy, losing to Aja Kong. On August 19, Ice Ribbon held a special event to celebrate Muscle Venus' fourth anniversary in professional wrestling, which saw Shida and Fujimoto defeat Maki Narumiya and Meari Naito in the main event for their first successful defense of the Reina World Tag Team Championship. The following day, Shida became the longest reigning ICE×60 Champion in history by surpassing Fujimoto's previous record of 238 days. Shida's and Fujimoto's second successful defense of the Reina World Tag Team Championship took place back in Reina X World on August 26, when they defeated Crazy Star and Silueta. Three days later, Shida made her fifth successful defense of the ICE×60 Championship against Neko Nitta. On September 23 at "Ribbon no Kishitachi 2012", Shida lost the ICE×60 Championship to freelancer Mio Shirai in her sixth defense, ending her record-setting reign at 273 days. "Ribbon no Kishitachi 2012" also saw the debut of the first wrestler trained by Shida, Oshima Kujira.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: On September 25, Shida entered Pro Wrestling Wave's 2012 Dual Shock Wave tournament as Yumi Ohka's partner. Ohka had chosen Shida as her partner, after her rival Misaki Ohata had chosen to team with Tsukasa Fujimoto. In their opening round-robin match of the tournament, Shida and Ohka were defeated by Shuu Shibutani and Syuri. They, however, bounced back, defeating Kurigohan (Ayumi Kurihara and Mika Iida) on September 30 and first Impact (Makoto and Moeka Haruhi) on October 23 to finish their round-robin tournament at four points, tied at the top with Shuu Shibutani and Syuri, forcing a decision match between the two teams. Shida and Ohka ended up losing the decision match and were, as a result, eliminated from the tournament. On October 27, Shida made her debut for World Wonder Ring Stardom, teaming with Act Yasukawa and Cherry in a six-woman tag team match, where they were defeated by the Kimura Monster-gun (Alpha Female, Hailey Hatred and Kyoko Kimura). The following day at an Ice Ribbon event, Shida challenged Hatred for the Triangle Ribbon Championship in a three-way match, which also included Aki Shizuku, but was disqualified after using a "shinai" on the champion. Earlier in the event, Aja Kong made a rare Ice Ribbon appearance, inviting Shida back to Oz Academy. Shida continued using the "shinai" in her matches for the next month. On November 25 at "Nagoya Ribbon II – 2012", Shida and Tsukasa Fujimoto entered a one-day tag team tournament, where they were forced to put the Reina World Tag Team Championship on the line in all of their matches. They were, however, given a bye directly to the semifinals of the tournament. After defeating Neko Nitta and Shuu Shibutani in their semifinal match, Shida and Fujimoto defeated Kurumi and Tsukushi to not only win the tournament and retain the Reina World Tag Team Championship, but to also win the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship. However, just three days later, Shida and Fujimoto lost both titles to Hailey Hatred and Hamuko Hoshi. On December 9, Shida returned to Oz Academy, losing to Aja Kong in the second match between the two. At Ice Ribbon's year-end "RibbonMania 2012" event on December 31, Shida and Tsukasa Fujimoto were defeated in a tag team match by World Wonder Ring Stardom representatives Nanae Takahashi and Natsuki☆Taiyo. Back in Pro Wrestling Wave on January 4, 2013, Shida and Yumi Ohka failed to capture the Wave Tag Team Championship from Misaki Ohata and Tsukasa Fujimoto in a title match, which ended in a thirty-minute time limit draw. The following day, Aja Kong made her Ice Ribbon in-ring debut to team with Shida in a tag team main event, where they were defeated by Hamuko Hoshi and Maki Narumiya. On January 13, Shida made another appearance for Oz Academy, teaming with Kong in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Hiroyo Matsumoto and Tomoka Nakagawa. After the ICE×60 Championship was vacated, following Maki Narumiya being sidelined with an injury, Shida entered a round-robin tournament to determine the new champion, defeating her trainee Risa Sera in her opening match on January 16. After a draw with Tsukushi on January 26, and a win over Neko Nitta on February 2, Shida finished at the top of her round-robin block, ensuring a spot in the semifinals of the tournament. On February 8, Shida took part in Syuri's first self-produced event, "Stimulus", which saw the two lose to Meiko Satomura and Tomoka Nakagawa in a main event tag team match. On February 23, Shida was eliminated from the ICE×60 Championship tournament in the semifinals by Miyako Matsumoto.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: Meanwhile, Shida also continued teaming with Aja Kong in Oz Academy and, after two more losses, picked up her first win in the promotion on March 17, when she pinned Sonoko Kato in a tag team match, where she and Kong faced Kato and Dynamite Kansai. Following the win, Shida and Kong were named number one contenders to the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship, however, prior to the title match, the two faced off in another singles match on April 14, where Kong was again victorious in an attempt to toughen Shida up for the title challenge. On April 24, Shida and Kong defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto and Tomoka Nakagawa to become the new Oz Academy Tag Team Champions. On May 25, Shida also became a tag team champion in her home promotion, when she and Tsukasa Fujimoto defeated Aoi Kizuki and Tsukushi for the International Ribbon Tag Team and Reina World Tag Team Championships. Two days later, Shida and Fujimoto relinquished the Reina World Tag Team Championship and returned the title to the Reina Joshi Puroresu promotion, which had recently undergone a change in management. Shida and Fujimoto made their first successful defense of the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship on June 22 against BBA38 (Cherry and Meari Naito). From May 15 to June 28, Shida took part in Pro Wrestling Wave's 2013 Catch the Wave tournament, finishing with a record of two wins, two draws and two losses and failing to advance from her round-robin block. Back in Ice Ribbon, Shida earned a big win on July 14 by defeating Syuri, who was making her first appearance for the promotion in over two years and with whom she had wrestled to a time limit draw during the 2013 Catch the Wave. The following day, Shida and Yumi Ohka defeated Triple Tails.S (Kana and Mio Shirai) to win the Wave Tag Team Championship, meaning that Shida now held three tag team championships simultaneously in three different promotions. On July 26, Shida made her debut for Pro Wrestling Zero1, teaming with Aja Kong in a tag team match, where they defeated Dynamite Kansai and Yuhi. On August 11, Shida and Kong lost the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship back to Matsumoto and Nakagawa in their first defense. Four days later, Shida also lost the Wave Tag Team Championship, when she and Ohka were defeated by Nakagawa and Gami. On August 18, Shida made an appearance for DDT Pro-Wrestling at the promotion's annual event in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, taking part in the debut match of Saki Akai, alongside whom she had acted in the "Muscle Girl!" television drama. Shida teamed with Hiroshi Fukuda and Yoshiko in a six-person tag team match, where they were defeated by Akai, Cherry and Masa Takanashi. On September 22, Shida and Fujimoto made their second successful defense of the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship against Mio Shirai and Rutsuko Yamaguchi. From September 1 to October 6, Shida and Fujimoto took part in Pro Wrestling Wave's 2013 Dual Shock Wave tournament, where they made it all the way to the finals, before losing to Ayako Hamada and Yuu Yamagata in a three-way match, which also included Kana and Yumi Ohka. On October 17, Shida took part in a big generational eight-on-eight elimination match promoted by Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, where she, Kagetsu, Manami Katsu, Sareee, Syuri, Takumi Iroha, Yoshiko and Yuhi defeated Aja Kong, Command Bolshoi, Dump Matsumoto, Dynamite Kansai, Kyoko Inoue, Manami Toyota, Meiko Satomura and Takako Inoue. Shida eliminated Bolshoi from the match, before being eliminated herself by Toyota. On October 19, Shida made her American debut for Shimmer Women Athletes in Berwyn, Illinois, defeating Mia Yim as part of "Volume 58". Later that same day on "Volume 59", Shida was defeated by Nicole Matthews, after being hit with her own "shinai". This led to a rematch on the following day's "Volume 60", where Shida defeated Matthews in a match, where usage of the "shinai" was legal. Shida finished her weekend and first American visit, losing to Madison Eagles on "Volume 61" in a three-way match, which also included Kana. On December 7, Shida and Fujimoto made their third successful defense of the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship against the team of Hamuko Hoshi and Kurumi.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: Muscle Venus' fourth successful defense took place on January 4, 2014, when they defeated Kurumi and Kyoko Inoue. Following the match, Shida announced her resignation from Ice Ribbon, effective March 30. Despite the announcement, Shida and Fujimoto continued their reign as the International Ribbon Tag Team Champions, defeating .STAP (Maki Narumiya and Risa Sera) on February 15, Mio Shirai and Miyako Matsumoto on March 9, Hamuko Hoshi and Miyako Matsumoto on March 12, Kurumi and Tsukushi on March 15, and N (Maki Narumiya and Meari Naito) on March 22 in what was billed as Muscle Venus' final match together. From February 21 to 25, Shida worked a four event tour with Wrestle-1, wrestling Shuu Shibutani in singles matches. The series ended 2–2 with Shida winning the second and fourth matches. Shida wrestled her final Ice Ribbon match on March 30 at Korakuen Hall, when she was defeated by longtime tag team partner Tsukasa Fujimoto in a singles match. Post-match, the two relinquished the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, ending their reign during which they set new records for both the longest reign, at 309 days, and most successful title defenses, with nine.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: Shida worked her first event as a freelancer on April 1, 2014, for Miyako Matsumoto's Gake no Fuchi Puroresu. As part of the event, Shida wrestled twice; first losing to Red Arremer and then defeating Matsumoto in a Last Woman Standing match. On April 5, Shida returned to the United States to work for Shimmer at their Volume 62 internet pay-per-view (iPPV) in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she defeated Evie. On April 12, Shida took part in Shimmer's DVD tapings back in Berwyn, losing to Mia Yim as part of "Volume 63" and defeating Kimber Lee as part of "Volume 64". The following day, Shida lost to Mercedes Martinez on "Volume 65", before ending her American tour with a win over Athena on "Volume 66". Upon her return to Japan, Shida was granted a shot at Pro Wrestling Wave's Single Championship on April 20, but was defeated by the defending champion, Yumi Ohka. On May 9, Shida announced she would start producing her own independent events under the banner of "Oshiri Ressha de Go!" (Japanese for "Go by Buttock Train!"), starting with August 28 in Tokyo's Shinjuku Face. From May 5 to June 22, Shida took part in the round-robin portion of the 2014 Catch the Wave tournament, finishing with a record of four wins and two draws and winning her block. On July 27, Shida first defeated Tomoka Nakagawa in the semifinals and then Misaki Ohata in the finals to win the 2014 Catch the Wave.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: On August 24, Shida defeated Yumi Ohka to become the new Wave Single Champion. On August 28, in the main event of the first Oshiri Ressha de Go! event, Shida teamed with Masato Tanaka in an intergender tag team match, where they were defeated by Kana and Kenny Omega. Three days later, Shida made her first successful defense of the Wave Single Championship against Mika Iida. On October 4, Shida made her debut for Revolution Championship Wrestling (RCW) in Barcelona, Spain, defeating Leah Owens and Audrey Bride in a three-way match to win the RCW Women's Championship. On October 29, Shida successfully defended both the Wave Single Championship and the RCW Women's Championship against Mari Apache. She made another successful defense of both titles on December 21, when her match with Mio Shirai ended in a thirty-minute time limit draw. On December 26, Shida returned to Reina Joshi Puroresu, coming to Syuri's aid and attacking Kana after she had defeated her to become the new Reina World Women's Champion. On January 25, Shida made her fourth successful defense of the Wave Single Championship against Kyusei Sakura Hirota. On February 7, Shida returned to RCW, losing the promotion's Women's Championship back to Leah Owens in a street fight. Four days later, Shida also lost the Wave Single Championship to Ayako Hamada.


title: Hikaru Shida

text: On February 25, Shida and Syuri defeated Arisa Nakajima and Kana to win the Reina World Tag Team Championship. On March 25, Shida became Reina's new "general producer" (GP), an on-screen authority figure, after she, Shiro Koshinaka and Zeus defeated Cat Power, Yuko Miyamoto and the previous GP, Kana, in a six-person tag team match. On June 13, Shida and Syuri lost the Reina World Tag Team Championship to Makoto and Rina Yamashita. In July, Shida took part in a WWE tryout held by William Regal, during the promotion's visit to Japan. Also in July, Shida made it to the semifinals of the 2015 Catch the Wave tournament, but was defeated there by Mika Iida. In Reina, Shida became the leader of the Shiri Gamikyō stable, which feuded with Syuri's Narcissist-gun until December 26, when Shida led her stablemates Jun Kasai and Toru Owashi to a win over Syuri, Buffalo and Mineo Fujita in a feud ending six-person tag team match. On September 11, 2016, Shida and Syuri defeated Kaori Yoneyama and Tsubasa Kuragaki to win the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship. Shida and Syuri won another title on November 23, when they defeated Dash Chisako and Kaoru for the Sendai Girls Tag Team Championship.