By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bassai Bahamas Karate-Do hosted a karate training seminar spearheaded by chief instructor for Japan Karate-Do International sensei Yasuyoshi Saito on Saturday at the St Gregory’s Anglican Church Hall.

The youth in attendance engaged in exercise drills, kihon, kata and kumite over the weekend.

Sensei Shawn Smith, chief instructor for Bassai Bahamas Karate-Dojo, said the one-day event was very beneficial to the youth involved.

“It is very beneficial because this is trans-style meaning it does not matter what style you are, you can be Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu, or Shotokan but you can still learn the same basics. There are some basic fundamentals that we all have in common which is why we started with the foundation because all martial artists can learn from it,” he said.

The martial artists worked on stances, breathing exercises, blocks and the various movements.

With a large group of youth in attendance, sensei Smith said the reception of the training seminar was great. “The reception has been off the chain for a very small country. Our pool is not as big as most sports like soccer, basketball, football and baseball. We have a community of people that are dedicated and they are here with us today to train and learn.

“The main thing is as long as their heart is open to learn, the sky’s the limit. Sensei Saito is here to pass on the true and pure traditions of karate to the next generation,” he said.

Sensei Saito, who took the reins from masters of shotokan karate Masatshi Nakayama and Hiroshi Shoji, was able to pass on a wealth of knowledge to participants on Saturday. Saito left Japan and subsequently taught in France, South America and in the Caribbean.

The founder of Japan Karate-Do International teaches classes up to six days a week while travelling around the world for various seminars.

With his latest stop being The Bahamas, sensei Saito enjoyed his second appearance but wished he had more time to teach.

“It was good, it was only a little time but if I had more time I could teach it more. Karate has so many techniques so it is very difficult to teach in such a short time. I worked on a few general ideas but I taught kicking which is very important in karate. This is my second time here and I am hoping to see more people next time and I wish success for Bassai Bahamas,” he said.

Upon completion of the training seminar, all registered participants received certificates to validate their special training on Saturday.