Martial artists intense for karate tournament

 When it comes to training, Sempai Bernard Soari whose toes you never want to step on.

Do that and you’ll be doing extra-ordinary body contortions as “training”. For him if one strategy doesn’t work than there’s always “Plan B”.

“My warning to my students is don’t be too comfortable” Soari said. “This is the third week of training and I have been working on their stamina level. I have to bring their stamina level up to standard so that they can have energy to last and be fast and accurate.”

“Firstly I’ll be working on their techniques – their leg and hand coordination’s. Secondly I’ll be working on their focus. They must be able to think under a lot of pressure in the ring. They have to be mentally prepared”

“I’d say to be prepared 150 percent or even 200 percent if it has to go that far”

The former PNG and Australian Kyokushin champion is tasked to train the National Karate team for the Melbourne International Open later this month on February 22-23.