Martial arts students in new challenge to stay sharp

Students at Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate in Cairns are coming to grips with a new challenge as they return to classes without any deliberate contact.

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Combat sports with no contact sounds impossible, but it’s become the new normal for martial arts studios in the time of COVID-19.

Students at Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate in Cairns are coming to grips with a new challenge as they return to classes without any deliberate contact.

Classes have resumed at Cairns State High School’s Sports Complex, after owners and instructors Chris and Di Long implemented a COVID Safe plan.

Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate classes have begun again at Cairns State High School, after a strict COVID Safe plan was implemented. Students Mikoto Nomura, 16, Cocona Sakamoto, 15, Kairi Scott, 7, Saya Jinno, 10 and Katelyn Row, 16. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Students are required to adhere to social distancing rules at all times in the “dojo”, except when on the “field of play” — in this case, the wooden-tiled basketball court.

While on the field of play, social distancing rules do not apply; however, students must avoid “deliberate contact”.

Sensei Chris Long said the nature of the sport would allow students to readjust to the new routine easily.

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“We had kumite (sparring) drills without contact to keep them sharp,” he said.

“It’s just missing that last little bit of movement and contact, so we’re able to do about 90 per cent of what we would do normally, without actual contact sparring.

“Timing and distance are the two major basics in karate, just that really acute understanding of timing and distance, and it’ll come back straight away because their basics are so good.

Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate classes have begun again at Cairns State High School, after a strict COVID Safe plan was implemented. Sensei Chris Long runs a drill for his students who are socially distanced. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“They are pretty experienced so the main thing is to keep them sharp.”

Long said the team of 14 students, which included four defending champions, that missed out on the Karate Queensland State Titles back in March due to the global coronavirus outbreak had their fingers crossed they’d be able to compete again this year.

“They (Karate Queensland) have left the gate open,” he said.

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“They’re monitoring things closely and there is chance of a tournament in Brisbane later this year, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

He said the martial arts studio had put a strong focus on form and tactics during the COVID-19 shutdown, with help from renowned teacher and chairman of the World Karate Federation Technical Commission, Sensei Con Kassis.

“He was a student of the son and successor to the original founder of this style,” Long said.

Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate classes have begun again at Cairns State High School, after a strict COVID Safe plan was implemented. Black belt student Joshua Long runs a drill for other students who are socially distanced. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“As it’s been passed down over the last 100 years, the style has been watered down.

“He’s got us working on refining a lot of the kata (form) and we’re going back and studying it very intimately — all the meaning in all the movements, the terminology and even the history — and fully immersing ourselves in the Shitoryu style.”

For more information, find Fudoshin Shitoryu Karate Cairns Facebook page.

Originally published as Martial arts students in new challenge to stay sharp