A WORLD class sambo instructor from Japan conducted a one-day free seminar Pilipinas Sambo athletes at the Holiday Gym and Spa in Davao City recently.
Yasuhiro Tanaka, 51, was a consistent fifth-ranked in the world sambo championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Pilipinas Sambo secretary-general Paolo Tancontian said Pilipinas Sambo athletes were very fortunate to meet a genuine sambo expert that has been practicing the sport for over 30 years.
Tancontian said the Japanese instructor was very kind in sharing his expertise in the sport as he taught significant techniques helpful for the athletes' development during the seminar.
"Marami siyang tinuro especially sa mga leg locks. Ganahan siya sa mga bata kay interested kaayo sila makatuon ug sambo (He liked the kids because they were so interested to learn)," Tancontian said.
Tancontian also said that his son Chino, a University Athletic Association of the Philippines 2017 most valuable player and judo gold medalist, will train with Tanaka in Japan in July in preparation for the Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia.
The seasoned Japanese instructor also expressed his interest of returning to the city in September.
Tanaka is popular in YouTube with his sambo tutorials and even has his own sambo technique compilations in DVD.
Apart from teaching sambo, Tanaka also came to look for exchange students who will be given opportunity to study in Japan.
