Karate: Ashihara Easter Training Camp |17 April 2023
The karatekas during a training session (Photo: Contributed)
Maintaining the ‘most active school’ slogan
The Ashihara Karate Seychelles, in keeping up with its slogan ‘the most active karate school’, had its second activity for 2023, with its annual Easter training camp held from Friday 7 to Sunday April 9.
Some 45 members from Mahé took part in the camp which was held at the National Sports Council (NSC) facilities.
According to Shihan Egbert Moustache, the country representative of Ashihara Karate International, the programme was very loaded with training and various other activities.
On Friday, training started at 8.30am with jogging and basics, with one hour break, before proceeding to pad work and kumite (sparring) till lunch time which was 12.30pm.
In the afternoon, training resumed at 2.30pm with an interesting footwork session and combining the kizame-gyaku tsuki (one-two punch) by none other than local boxing coach Roland Raforme.
Ashihara karate is a modern style, created out of the need for a more practical system of karate that takes into account the realities of today's world with a dynamic approach to training. Hence, the boxing drills fit well within the style because the fighting stances are a bit similar.
Shihan Moustache noted that it is normal for Ashihara karate to invite other martial art stylists to share techniques unlike most of the other traditional schools.
He added that the AKS had invited karatekas of other styles to take part and he is pleased that two responded as this was the first time ever that a karate school would open up to other non-members.
Training resumed on Saturday with a morning jog at 5.30am followed by practise with the Bo (wooden staff).
Later that same morning there were two other sessions comprising kata, combinations and light sparring.
Lunch break was at 1pm and the students rested until 3pm, when it was time for belt promotion tests which was one of the highlights of the camp.
Twenty-one (21) of the karatekas present attempted promotion and all were successful either for stripes on their current belts or for change of belts.
The karatekas enjoyed the hard training and still found time to kick football and play video games.
Shihan Moustache said training in any martial arts gives them confidence not only to deal with bullies, but also to perhaps escape from would-be-kidnappers.
The AKS has several activities planned for 2023 and these include organising a local championship, international training camp and championship as well as fun activities like hikes and picnics.
The school has dojos at Anse Royale school and Mont Fleuri on Mahé, and one dojo on La Digue. Interested individuals can check out their website and Facebook page for information.
A member of the Seychelles Karate Federation, the Ashihara Karate School is affiliated to Ashihara Karate International based in South Africa.
The instructors at the school would like to thank the NSC, the members, parents and individuals who helped in making this important event a complete success.
Contributed
