Sensei Bong Kim Lee
Coaching Experience: He had been appointed Head Coach for the Singapore Team numerous times. For the 2004 10th Asia Kyokushin Karate Tournament held in Bali, he had served as Head Coach for the Singapore Team. Putting in his heart and soul, he individualised each fighter’s training program to specifically suit their needs, acknowledging that each fighter possessed different fighting styles that were advantageous to them. His hard work paid off as all fighters did well in the tournament. Senpai Boon Kit achieved a commendable 7th placing, and Senpai Aaron was awarded the Best Spirited Fighter of the tournament! In 2007, Sensei Bong again served as Head of Coach for the Singapore Team in the 9th World tournament held in Japan. It was during this tournament that he was recommended by Shihan Peter Chong to take his upgrading under Kancho Matsui at the Mount Mitsumine Camp. He successfully passed the rigorous test and was promoted to Yondan in 2008. He had also trained Singapore’s first female fighter for both the 2009 and 2010 World Women’s Karate Tournament in Chiba, Japan. In the 2010 tournament, Senpai Adeline fought to a 4th placing in the middle-weight category, an achievement that he is immensely proud of. Previously, he had also trained her for the 2008 6th All-Styles Martial Arts tournament, in which she had achieved a runners-up placing in the openweight category. Sensei Bong’s wife, Sensei Jade Tay Poh Geok (herself a third-dan black belt holder), fully supports his passion for Karate, despite him having to sacrifice precious family time in order to fulfil his coaching duties. He values his dojo members, and finds the time to organise outdoor trainings and other social gatherings in order to build team cohesion, spirit, and friendship! Since 2005, Sensei Bong has been organising annual local Kyokushin tournaments. Organising such events without much sponsorship poses a challenge every year, and there were instances where he even had to pay out of his own pocket to cover the logistics costs. However, he believes such tournaments are necessary for the development and “discovery” of young fighters in Singapore. Past winners of his Kim Seng (or Bukit Ho Swee, prior to 2007) tournaments have successfully gone on to represent the nation in international tournaments, such as Barja Kumar Rai, the 2008 Asia Open Champion. Sensei Bong was also the 2nd Vice-President for the 2008 11th Asia Open Tournament that was successfully held in Singapore. Tournament Referee and Judging Experience: Sensei Bong continues to be actively involved in side judging duties for both local and overseas major events. Local Events include: Other Information His selfless teaching and specific training methods has benefited many fighters and members of Kyokushin Karate. Yet he is humble and is still continuously teaching members who are interested and have the determination and will to become one of the best in Kyokushin Karate. Osu! |
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