SEVERAL times a year, German Thomas Brackmann, 35, organizes a martial arts charity event in Riyadh. Adult and kid fighters demonstrate their skills in front of up to 100 cheering martial arts fans, friends and families of the participants. The money donated in the events supports a British organization fighting cancer. One of the highlights of each event is a judo tournament for children who are instructed by Brackmann in his free time after work. The kids compete in front of their parents, friends and interested expatriates cheering and encouraging the little fighters. “I use these little tournaments as an element of the later judo belt graduation of the kids. Only when they are able to show in a fair competition they can proceed and succeed in formalized belt exams,” says Brackmann. The competition is only part of the all-day charity event: “Shogun – The Martial Arts show”. It includes not only the kids' competition as a part of the belt exam, but also judo matches and demonstrations of Brackmann's adult judo students. Thomas demonstrates advanced judo moves of his black belt skills that he achieved in Saudi Arabia. Additionally there is a sambo show exhibition. “Sambo is a close combat method of the Russian Special Forces comprising a variety of dynamic self defense techniques.” Usually the martial arts part lasts several hours and is followed by gathering of family and friends of the martial arts fans in Riyadh. “By holding such events and conducting the training I want to show other people the beauty of martial arts, entertaining them and trying to create a nice gathering atmosphere aside of the routine life here in Riyadh,” Brackmann explains. Brackmann has lived and worked in Riyadh for the past two years. He has a black belt in judo and orange belt in sambo. In his spare time he teaches judo to children and adults and organizes martial arts events. — SG
