By P. Chandra Sagaran
In an effort to boost and popularise karate budokan, a workshop was held at Jason Karate Budokan Academy under the Karate Budokan Malaysia in First Garden here recently.
It was conducted by a Malaysian now residing in Australia, Grand Master Richard L T Chew of Karate Budokan International.
It was attended by 20 youngsters from Ipoh.
According to Chew, the art had been stagnant and strongly focussed on traditions.
“We need to move on to innovation and progress..traditions are holding back.
“It must be based on basic and advanced karate techniques,” he added.
The 67-year-old from Petaling Jaya had been conducting similar workshops and courses in Wales, England, Norway and Australia.
His aim is to see Karate Budokan being a regular sport in the Olympics.
The martial arts was last seen in the Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile Master Jason Kumar Wilson from the academy said:”the sport must be taken to the next level and must align with science”.