Palm Court Karate Centre held an open day on Saturday, January 31, giving community members an opportunity to see how karate training takes place at the dojo. Children who attended were able to take part in free training sessions offered on the day.

The dojo was established in 1992 and is led by Sensei Mario Sequeira, a sixth-dan black belt with many years of experience in Goju-Ryu Karate. It is a family-run centre that teaches traditional Goju-Ryu Karate and has operated in the area for more than three decades, training learners of various ages and skill levels.

Training at the centre combines physical exercise with lessons in self-control, respect and focus. Instructors work closely with students to ensure that techniques are performed safely and correctly. At the start of each session, Sensei Mario explained the basics of karate, while senior students assisted by demonstrating key techniques.

During the open day sessions, children took part in basic exercises and followed instructions from Sensei Mario. Their excitement was evident as they practised simple movements and techniques on the training floor.

Parents observed from the side of the dojo, watching how classes are conducted and how learners are guided during training. They also had the opportunity to ask questions about class structure, expectations and the differences between programmes for younger children and older students.

Palm Court Karate Centre offers classes for children from the age of four, as well as for teenagers, adults and seniors. This allows families to train at the same venue, even if they fall into different age groups or skill levels. Training takes place at the centre’s dojo, which is used for regular classes and demonstrations.

The open day gave parents and prospective students the opportunity to observe lessons, meet instructors and decide whether the training is suitable for them.