"There was so much bombing around us, so we escaped and ended up displaced here at the Sports City,"
"I thought to myself, 'let me bring them together, train them, and bring some joy into their lives through this sport, help them forget what's happening in the city, teach them how to switch off for a while and build their strength physically and mentally.'"
"I really love how the coach teaches us, especially how to defend myself and build confidence,"
"If someone attacked me in the street and tried to kidnap me, I'd know how to defend myself."
A 65-year-old martial arts coach fled southern Beirut and now lives in tents at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium after fighting spread from attacks on Iran and Israel’s actions in Lebanon. He continues training daily and notices children watching him. He brings them together to teach martial arts as a way to create joy, help them switch off from what is happening, and strengthen them physically and mentally. A child student says the lessons improve self-defense skills and confidence, including knowing how to respond if attacked or kidnapped. The training also serves as a distraction from bombs, lost homes, and disrupted normal life, offering something to look forward to.
Read at www.dw.com
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