Karate is not a brutal sport
29 May 2019 | Sports
A Rundu-based karate teacher says karate is not a sport that teaches one to fight better in the streets but one that instils discipline and assists those struggling with low self-esteem.
In an interview with Ewi lyaNooli, Prutasius Singombe, the chief instructor at the Rundu branch of the United World Kyokushin Karate Organisation (UWKKO), talked about the karate classes that he offers to school learners and community members and how the sport improves a person's life.
Kyokushin is a full-contact type of karate that originated in Japan. UWKKO's African headquarters are situated in Durban, South Africa.
Sensei Singombe said he trains 42 karate students. Sessions take place weekdays between 16:00 and 17:30 at Noordgrens Secondary School.
Singombe, a professional karate teacher, says his students are doing well because they are committed, determined and willing to grow with the sport.
“Karate remains one of those foreign sports in the north-eastern parts of the country and people still have a negative perception of it, but that is slowly changing.
My current karate students are making their parents proud because they are very disciplined.”
He says the benefits of karate are that it increases one's concentration, teaches students to stay healthy and keeps children away from alcohol and drug abuse.
Singombe wants people to stop regarding karate as a brutal sport. He emphasises that all sport codes have rules and if they are not followed, there are consequences.
“We live by an oath, as we are not allowed to practise our skills in the streets for no apparent reason. In cases of self-defence we are also guided as to which skill to use and where to strike. Karate is not sport that teaches one to fight better,” he says.
Singombe also talked about last month's trip to Durban where he and four parents took five karate students for their grading.
“The trip to Durban was a success as all the students we took passed,” he said.
He said on 29 June there will be a grading at club level because not all students managed to go for grading in Durban.
On 10 August there will be a regional championship where the karate students will compete with each other.
Singombe is a member of the continental team that will represent Africa at the Kyokushin international training seminar in Kolkata, India.
KENYA KAMBOWE
In an interview with Ewi lyaNooli, Prutasius Singombe, the chief instructor at the Rundu branch of the United World Kyokushin Karate Organisation (UWKKO), talked about the karate classes that he offers to school learners and community members and how the sport improves a person's life.
Kyokushin is a full-contact type of karate that originated in Japan. UWKKO's African headquarters are situated in Durban, South Africa.
Sensei Singombe said he trains 42 karate students. Sessions take place weekdays between 16:00 and 17:30 at Noordgrens Secondary School.
Singombe, a professional karate teacher, says his students are doing well because they are committed, determined and willing to grow with the sport.
“Karate remains one of those foreign sports in the north-eastern parts of the country and people still have a negative perception of it, but that is slowly changing.
My current karate students are making their parents proud because they are very disciplined.”
He says the benefits of karate are that it increases one's concentration, teaches students to stay healthy and keeps children away from alcohol and drug abuse.
Singombe wants people to stop regarding karate as a brutal sport. He emphasises that all sport codes have rules and if they are not followed, there are consequences.
“We live by an oath, as we are not allowed to practise our skills in the streets for no apparent reason. In cases of self-defence we are also guided as to which skill to use and where to strike. Karate is not sport that teaches one to fight better,” he says.
Singombe also talked about last month's trip to Durban where he and four parents took five karate students for their grading.
“The trip to Durban was a success as all the students we took passed,” he said.
He said on 29 June there will be a grading at club level because not all students managed to go for grading in Durban.
On 10 August there will be a regional championship where the karate students will compete with each other.
Singombe is a member of the continental team that will represent Africa at the Kyokushin international training seminar in Kolkata, India.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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