10-24-2003, 01:24 PM
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<b>Karate without Roberts is like jewellery sans gold</b>
island 11.04.2001
அதை அந்த அந்த நேரத்திற்கு செய்வதில் எமது தலைவரைக்கேட்டுத்தான்..
bonnie master யாழில் அந்த நேரங்களில் கராத்தே என இளைஞர்கள் வகுப்புக்கு செல்லும்போதே அவர் பெயர் ஓர் ஆகர்ஸ்ணமாகவிருந்தது.அதன் பின் அமிர்தராஜ்...என்று இன்னும பல பெயர்கள்... மறந்துவிட்டது.
இதில் bonie மாஸ்டரை தகுந்தவெளையில் எமது தலைவர் கௌரவப்படுத்தியுள்ளார். அது பற்றிய செய்தியும் (தமிழ்நெற்) முன்னர் 2001ல்
island பத்திரிகையில் வந்த செய்தியும் இதில் இடுகிறேன்.
கொசுறு செய்தியொன்று.
நான் புலம் பெயர்ந்து வருகையில் என்னுடன் கூட எனது விமானத்தில் பயணித்தவர் பொனி மாஸ்டர்.என்ன வித்தியாசம் என்றால் அவர் கங்கேரிக்கு
ஒரு கராட்டி போட்டிக்கு கலந்துகொள்ள சென்றார் நான் இங்கு அகதிபிச்சை எடுக்கவந்தேன்.அவர் கங்கேரியில் இறங்கிக்கொண்டார் .நான் கிழக்கு ஜேர்மனியில் இறங்கிக்கொண்டேன்.அதுதான் வித்தியாசம்.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=10206
LTTE leader honors Karate Grand Master
[TamilNet, October 23, 2003 14:46 GMT]
The leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. V. Pirapaharan, Thursday conferred national honor on the father of Karate in Tamil Eelam, Grand Master Shihan Bonnie Roberts,74, who holds eight black belts and contributed yeoman service to the growth of the art of Karate, sources in the Vanni said.
Photo: Vasanth/LTTE
The national award includes a medal embossed with the Tiger emblem.
At a function held in Kilinochchi Thursday in honor of the grand master, along with Mr. Pirapaharan, the LTTE's political leader Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan, Special Sea Tiger commander Col. Soosai, deputy political head Mr. S. Thangan, head of the sports division Mr. K. Pappa, head of the Tamil Eelam Karate Association Ratnasothy master, head of the sports coordinating committee Mr. M. Pathmanathan and Sports coorodinator Mr. Inban participated.
Grand master Bonnie Roberts was born in Kalmunai in the Batticaloa district. He has the distinction of being the first Tamil to participate in international Karate competitions. He introduced Karate in Jaffna. He is the only representative of the International Shotokan Karate Association in Ilankai (Sri Lanka) approved by Japan.
At the end of the event, Grandmaster Bonnie Roberts commended the LTTE leader for promoting the growth of the art of Karate and honored him by presenting a black belt, the leaders sixth, the sources said.
<b>Karate without Roberts is like jewellery sans gold</b>
island
11.04.2001
by Ravi Nagahawatte
Speaking of local karate, without mentioning the name Bonnie Roberts, is like attempting to address a crowd without a microphone. The speaker is sure to feel that something is really missing.
Fo,r this martial arts legend was the person who sowed the seeds of the sport, which has today spread its roots to all parts of the country.
Among the people who have reached some status in karate, Roberts is the Father of local Martial Arts.
Roberts, in an interview with The Island, was only shy to reveal his age, but was more than willing to speak of his 40 year involvement with the sport, where he has left a mark as the person who introduced karate to Sri Lanka.
Robert says that he is what he is today, because he is a self-made man.
He had been a person who had rarely listened to people. He had been someone who had believed that a man should find his own path in life. However, looking back, he says that in his lifes journey he should have listened to people more often.
" I rarely listened to anyone. I made my decisions in life. Some were right. Some were wrong. Looking back, I feel I should have listened to the people who were close to me. I should have gone abroad to reside when I was at my peak. I feel I havent been duly rewarded for what I have done for karate in my country. However, I am happy that at least I have been able to travel the world because of karate " said this renowned martial arts guru, who teaches a fighting style named, Shotokan.
Roberts is at present, the countrys highest graded Karateka and is armed with a Seventh Dan Black Belt .
He has lived the roles of a martial artist, the countrys coach and as a holy person, who has little attachments to worldly things.
At present, he lives by himself in a house in Maradana and conducts classes for a living.
"I try my best to stay away from problems" says this veteran martial, artist who now confines himself to staying at home during most part of the day.
But the life he leads is far from sedentary.
Roberts starts the day as early as five oclock, by performing a set of yoga exercises and later goes to a gymnasium close to his house to sweat out.
Then his students keep him busy, by arriving at regular intervals for classes which are held throughout the day. Its not before nine oclock at night when Roberts gets to hit the pillow.
Roberts recalls the days when he started dabbling in the sport by learning to kick and punch by seeing Bruce Lees films.
However, it wasnt before touring Japan and Malaysia that he got the opportunity to learn real karate which he later introduced to fellow Sri Lankans.
Returning to his motherland, possessing a Second Dan Black belt in karate, he was instrumental in establishing the countrys first Martial Arts organisation (Ceylon Karate Association) which is now known as the Sri Lanka Karate-do Federation, the governing body for karate in the country.
And from that day he has travelled the country and dedicated his life to promote this fighting art which, he says, has given him a healthy mind and a healthy body.
"These are the two greatest things which the sport has given me" says Roberts.
But with a hint of sadness, he says that his family members were displeased with him for devoting so much time for karate.
There had been instances where even the senior karatekas in the country had opposed him, when he was entrusted duties as the national coach for the 1999 SAF Games, which was held in Nepal.
"Life wasnt easy for me while being involved in karate. The people were jealous of me for the popularity I had. I faced a lot of opposition as a karateka" says Roberts.
Apart from being known for his administrative skills in promoting the sport, he is also known to possess brutal strength.
A grandfather today, he could easily knock the daylights out of a person by just removing his shirt and exposing his body, which is still rippling with muscles.
"I am still strong because I ate a lot of a iguana meat during my younger days. I used to catch one almost everyday, and have it cooked by my aunt" revealed Roberts as he let out the secret which gave him a body of steel.
His career as a competitive karateka doesnt hold many memorable moments even though he was the first Sri Lankan to take part in the Asian Karate Championship.
Roberts reached the semi final in this tournament, and also holds memories of being disqualified for dislocating a competitors jaw.
He links his short competitive career to a late start he had in the sport. And even though he made great progress in the sport, he was more involved in promoting the sport than gaining personal glory.
It didnt come as a surprise when Bonnie Roberts was bestowed with the title Father of Karate in 1991, by the late Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, who was then the Minister of Education and Higher Education.
Roberts has acquired many things through karate which has added years to his life. The most important thing he says, is the ability to bounce back when life doesnt treat you fair.
"Once when I was in Baticaloa, while promoting karate, I was informed that my house was completely destroyed by fire. I was only left with two shirts and two trousers. Thats all I possessed to start all over again. But I fought back and stood on my feet again. All that was possible due to the mental toughness I acquired through karate. The sport has taught me to take up disappointments with a smile" concluded Roberts.
<b>Karate without Roberts is like jewellery sans gold</b>
island 11.04.2001
அதை அந்த அந்த நேரத்திற்கு செய்வதில் எமது தலைவரைக்கேட்டுத்தான்..
bonnie master யாழில் அந்த நேரங்களில் கராத்தே என இளைஞர்கள் வகுப்புக்கு செல்லும்போதே அவர் பெயர் ஓர் ஆகர்ஸ்ணமாகவிருந்தது.அதன் பின் அமிர்தராஜ்...என்று இன்னும பல பெயர்கள்... மறந்துவிட்டது.
இதில் bonie மாஸ்டரை தகுந்தவெளையில் எமது தலைவர் கௌரவப்படுத்தியுள்ளார். அது பற்றிய செய்தியும் (தமிழ்நெற்) முன்னர் 2001ல்
island பத்திரிகையில் வந்த செய்தியும் இதில் இடுகிறேன்.
கொசுறு செய்தியொன்று.
நான் புலம் பெயர்ந்து வருகையில் என்னுடன் கூட எனது விமானத்தில் பயணித்தவர் பொனி மாஸ்டர்.என்ன வித்தியாசம் என்றால் அவர் கங்கேரிக்கு
ஒரு கராட்டி போட்டிக்கு கலந்துகொள்ள சென்றார் நான் இங்கு அகதிபிச்சை எடுக்கவந்தேன்.அவர் கங்கேரியில் இறங்கிக்கொண்டார் .நான் கிழக்கு ஜேர்மனியில் இறங்கிக்கொண்டேன்.அதுதான் வித்தியாசம்.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=10206
LTTE leader honors Karate Grand Master
[TamilNet, October 23, 2003 14:46 GMT]
The leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. V. Pirapaharan, Thursday conferred national honor on the father of Karate in Tamil Eelam, Grand Master Shihan Bonnie Roberts,74, who holds eight black belts and contributed yeoman service to the growth of the art of Karate, sources in the Vanni said.
Photo: Vasanth/LTTE
The national award includes a medal embossed with the Tiger emblem.
At a function held in Kilinochchi Thursday in honor of the grand master, along with Mr. Pirapaharan, the LTTE's political leader Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan, Special Sea Tiger commander Col. Soosai, deputy political head Mr. S. Thangan, head of the sports division Mr. K. Pappa, head of the Tamil Eelam Karate Association Ratnasothy master, head of the sports coordinating committee Mr. M. Pathmanathan and Sports coorodinator Mr. Inban participated.
Grand master Bonnie Roberts was born in Kalmunai in the Batticaloa district. He has the distinction of being the first Tamil to participate in international Karate competitions. He introduced Karate in Jaffna. He is the only representative of the International Shotokan Karate Association in Ilankai (Sri Lanka) approved by Japan.
At the end of the event, Grandmaster Bonnie Roberts commended the LTTE leader for promoting the growth of the art of Karate and honored him by presenting a black belt, the leaders sixth, the sources said.
<b>Karate without Roberts is like jewellery sans gold</b>
island
11.04.2001
by Ravi Nagahawatte
Speaking of local karate, without mentioning the name Bonnie Roberts, is like attempting to address a crowd without a microphone. The speaker is sure to feel that something is really missing.
Fo,r this martial arts legend was the person who sowed the seeds of the sport, which has today spread its roots to all parts of the country.
Among the people who have reached some status in karate, Roberts is the Father of local Martial Arts.
Roberts, in an interview with The Island, was only shy to reveal his age, but was more than willing to speak of his 40 year involvement with the sport, where he has left a mark as the person who introduced karate to Sri Lanka.
Robert says that he is what he is today, because he is a self-made man.
He had been a person who had rarely listened to people. He had been someone who had believed that a man should find his own path in life. However, looking back, he says that in his lifes journey he should have listened to people more often.
" I rarely listened to anyone. I made my decisions in life. Some were right. Some were wrong. Looking back, I feel I should have listened to the people who were close to me. I should have gone abroad to reside when I was at my peak. I feel I havent been duly rewarded for what I have done for karate in my country. However, I am happy that at least I have been able to travel the world because of karate " said this renowned martial arts guru, who teaches a fighting style named, Shotokan.
Roberts is at present, the countrys highest graded Karateka and is armed with a Seventh Dan Black Belt .
He has lived the roles of a martial artist, the countrys coach and as a holy person, who has little attachments to worldly things.
At present, he lives by himself in a house in Maradana and conducts classes for a living.
"I try my best to stay away from problems" says this veteran martial, artist who now confines himself to staying at home during most part of the day.
But the life he leads is far from sedentary.
Roberts starts the day as early as five oclock, by performing a set of yoga exercises and later goes to a gymnasium close to his house to sweat out.
Then his students keep him busy, by arriving at regular intervals for classes which are held throughout the day. Its not before nine oclock at night when Roberts gets to hit the pillow.
Roberts recalls the days when he started dabbling in the sport by learning to kick and punch by seeing Bruce Lees films.
However, it wasnt before touring Japan and Malaysia that he got the opportunity to learn real karate which he later introduced to fellow Sri Lankans.
Returning to his motherland, possessing a Second Dan Black belt in karate, he was instrumental in establishing the countrys first Martial Arts organisation (Ceylon Karate Association) which is now known as the Sri Lanka Karate-do Federation, the governing body for karate in the country.
And from that day he has travelled the country and dedicated his life to promote this fighting art which, he says, has given him a healthy mind and a healthy body.
"These are the two greatest things which the sport has given me" says Roberts.
But with a hint of sadness, he says that his family members were displeased with him for devoting so much time for karate.
There had been instances where even the senior karatekas in the country had opposed him, when he was entrusted duties as the national coach for the 1999 SAF Games, which was held in Nepal.
"Life wasnt easy for me while being involved in karate. The people were jealous of me for the popularity I had. I faced a lot of opposition as a karateka" says Roberts.
Apart from being known for his administrative skills in promoting the sport, he is also known to possess brutal strength.
A grandfather today, he could easily knock the daylights out of a person by just removing his shirt and exposing his body, which is still rippling with muscles.
"I am still strong because I ate a lot of a iguana meat during my younger days. I used to catch one almost everyday, and have it cooked by my aunt" revealed Roberts as he let out the secret which gave him a body of steel.
His career as a competitive karateka doesnt hold many memorable moments even though he was the first Sri Lankan to take part in the Asian Karate Championship.
Roberts reached the semi final in this tournament, and also holds memories of being disqualified for dislocating a competitors jaw.
He links his short competitive career to a late start he had in the sport. And even though he made great progress in the sport, he was more involved in promoting the sport than gaining personal glory.
It didnt come as a surprise when Bonnie Roberts was bestowed with the title Father of Karate in 1991, by the late Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, who was then the Minister of Education and Higher Education.
Roberts has acquired many things through karate which has added years to his life. The most important thing he says, is the ability to bounce back when life doesnt treat you fair.
"Once when I was in Baticaloa, while promoting karate, I was informed that my house was completely destroyed by fire. I was only left with two shirts and two trousers. Thats all I possessed to start all over again. But I fought back and stood on my feet again. All that was possible due to the mental toughness I acquired through karate. The sport has taught me to take up disappointments with a smile" concluded Roberts.