Youth Talk

Today’s fun fact about myself: I attained a Brown Belt, three stripes, in karate.

Looking back over old certificates and photos, a sudden wave of nostalgia overcame me as I found mementoes from my karate past.

Not many people I know are aware that I practiced the martial art for around six years. In fact, some of my closest friends respond with dumbstruck looks and questions like ‘Are you serious?’ and ‘So you can chop wood with your hands?’ Unfortunately, I do have to deny the latter but the former is indeed correct.

As with most young children I had always been fascinated by martial arts and seeing all my peers taking lessons, I saw no harm in trying. Additionally, my mother saw the practical usefulness in being able to defend oneself, and so it was decided. Me and my sister were enrolled in Bahrain Karate Centre based at Sparta Sports and Arts Academy, St Christopher’s Junior School.

Over those six years I developed and grew in ways I never even thought possible. While it was obviously strenuous and difficult the strange thing was I enjoyed every lesson. I have come to the conclusion that karate, and specifically the Shotokan form, is more than a defense mechanism. It truly is a philosophy and way of life.

We learned important life morals like never being the aggressor; always treating everyone, including opponents, with the utmost respect and co-operating with others. And, of course, it’s always cool to be able to flaunt the pockets of Japanese you inevitably pick up from a session.

I must thank the amazing teachers at the dojo. Sensei Hisham, Sensei Shashi and Sensei Saaed were some of the best teachers I have ever encountered.

What I particularly liked about my time at the academy was all the personal touches included in the training. Instead of just learning different katas each sensei made sure to put them in context of a real-life situation.

They would also make us sit down and explain the cultural origins of a particular move. A special shout out must go to Sensei Hisham for all his entertaining stories and personal anecdotes.

If you do happen to be a parent reading this piece I would wholeheartedly support you encouraging your child to enter martial arts. Besides the obvious practical benefits, activities like karate really impose a sense of discipline and commitment, very important skills in today’s word.

I’m very confident the sensei team and students will be just as welcoming to you as they were to me six years ago.