Maravi

Zambia's youngest black belt off to Japan

Zambia's youngest black belt off to Japan
By Henry Sinyangwe
Sat 17 Sep. 2011, 04:01 CAT

IT is good to start working hard when you are still young because this will help you have a successful life, says 10 year-old black belt Adao De Assis. Adao, Zambia's youngest black belt holder, started training karate when he was 6 years old drawing his inspiration from Nathan De Assis a 3rd degree black belt holder and Sensi Raymond Mbazima who is 7th dan, the highest graded in the subregion.

Adao is a grade 6 pupil at Nkwazi Primary school and says it is important for one to balance between school and sport. He is travelling to Japan to showcase his skills in the presence of grandmasters.

"You have to level it a bit, 50-50. As I'm speaking, I am in grade 6 and am looking forward to the exams (grade 7 exams). I can only tell my age-mates to balance school and sports," advises Adao.

The visibly confident Adao says it took hard work for him to reach at the stage he has reached in karate.

He says it was important for children to participate in outdoor sports activities instead of spending their time indoors.

"Instead of just sitting around, watching TV you and playing video games, might as well take part in activities such as sports because they help you interact and build your mental abilities," Adao says.

Born on December 1, Adao says he wishes to travel around the world teaching people various sports skills as he is not only a karateka but also performs various sports.

"I keep fit and I hope all other people are doing the same. I play soccer, squash, high jump, long jump and I'm currently the 100 metres champion at my school," says Adao.

Last born in a family of three, Adao is a professional karateka and has ambitions of being a lawyer because he wants to defend people.

"Karate is a defence sport, its a martial art. It's not that when someone is a karateka, then they have to start fights. I want to rise to the highest grade in karate which is a defence sport. I also want to study hard and be a lawyer because a lawyer defends and my dedication is to defend the vulnerable in society," say Adao.

And his father De Assis says sports brings communion and stability in mind, hence should be embraced by all inspite of age.

He says Martial arts should be introduced in schools as it would help one understand more and defend themselves in life.

"He Adao understands sports and he is a talented karateka and its humbling for him to go and show his skills in front of Grandmaster," he said

Zambia has been invited by the Nippon Seibukan Academy (All Japan Budo Federation) to participate at an international martial arts seminar in Kyoto, from 16 to 21 September.

The country shall be represented by black belts Nathan De Assis, Astrida Willombe, Dr. Mupanga Mwankatwe, Russell Harawa and Adao De Assis. The delegation leader is Raymond Mbazima, a 7 degree black belt and the highest ranked local martial arts master. Raymond is also the Nippon Seibukan Academy (NSA) Instructor-Country Representative.

Labels: SPORTS

posted by MrK @ 10:26 PM