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Fumio Katano: Commitment and inspiration for Kendo sport in the UAE

Katano is inspiring people about the importance of Kendo and trying to raise kendo players from the UAE to challenge at global Kendo tournaments. (Supplied)
Katano is inspiring people about the importance of Kendo and trying to raise kendo players from the UAE to challenge at global Kendo tournaments. (Supplied)
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20 Dec 2024 02:12:20 GMT9
20 Dec 2024 02:12:20 GMT9

Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Fumio Katano is a Japanese 7th Dan Kendo master who has been in the UAE for almost two years with commitment to Kendo sport since a young age.

Katano told Arab News Japan that the philosophy of Kendo is all about “human development through training in the principles and methods of the sword.”

“All martial arts begin and end with rei. Rei means respect for the opponent. Therefore, whether you win or lose a match, you must respect your opponent,” Katano explained.

“I have been practicing kendo since junior high school. Due to circumstances, I was unable to practice for three years, but other than that I have continued to practice. I believe that through kendo, my body and mind have become stronger and I have continued to grow as a person,” he added.

The Kendo master said that the martial art is for men and women of all ages.

“Even if you are too old, if you continue to improve yourself, you will not lose to younger people. This is because you can use your eyes to see things from a different perspective or an insight to look into the other person’s eyes and explore the heart. We call it Kan-no-me,” Katano added.

As a Japanese kendo master, Katano said he wanted people in the UAE to learn more about the sport to have a better understanding of Japanese culture.

“I want to send UAE representatives to world kendo tournaments. To achieve this, I’m currently teaching kendo to Japanese and foreign people at the Dubai Japanese School,” he said.

“I especially want to teach kendo to the locals in the UAE. I would like to encourage people in the UAE to knock on the door of kendo and practice, and let’s go to the world kendo championships from the UAE. That’s my wish,” he added.

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