MARTIAL ARTS
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OVER 120 enthusiastic students from across the region were the beneficiaries of some of the best teaching available as Pollet’s Martial Arts Bathurst dojo hosted the World Organiser of Martial Arts annual event on the weekend.
In total, 22 of the best credentialed Grandmasters from Australia and New Zealand were on hand to give instruction in karate, Muay Thai kickboxing, mixed martial arts, kung fu, jujutsu, weapons fighting, aikido and judo.
Students of all ages and experience levels were involved, with Hanshi Ian Pollet full of praise for the experts he had on hand to impart some of their considerable knowledge.
“We had about 120 or 130 students all up for the two days, they were hearing from instructors from New Zealand, South Australia, Melbourne and places from all over NSW,” he said.
“We had a really fantastic response from the instructors and the students, we do it all at our own expense and we give the opportunity for people to have two days where the teachers communicate and pass on their skills.
“This sort of thing is great to promote martial arts in general, and it is very much a family-oriented commitment that we have.
“It might not seem like it from the outside, but it is a family sport, we have mums, dads, kids and most importantly they all have a very good time. For some it is a lot to take in so much information in one hit, for others not so much.”
Pollet explained that for many of those taking part in the instructional seminars and demonstrations, they simply weren’t aware of just how wide the martial arts world can be.
“It opens the eyes to a lot of people as to exactly what is out there and all the things they can learn,” he said.
“We’ve got all these grandmasters together at the same time, I know them professionally and look after them and our facility here is one of the best going around, so they’re more than happy to come out here.
“They love being a part of it because they can see straight away that the people here listening to them want to learn.
“What we do isn’t about violence at all, people can’t always see that. It is about building character and discipline and if these people have to defend themselves at some point then they are equipped to do so.”