Arts recently returned from the Fourth Miyagi Chojun Memorial Martial Arts Festival in San Diego with one gold medal and a treasure trove of knowledge of the ancient art of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do.

Michael Bean duplicated his 1989 triumph when he struck gold in winning the light-weight sparring division, while Smith was successful in being promoted to Yondan -- fourth degree black belt.

"All of the students that made the trip thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have returned with a deeper understanding of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do,'' said Smith, one of 11 arbitrators at the event, said in a written statement on their return.

The festival consisted of intensive training seminars and a traditional karate tournament, with the former centred around various aspects of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate under the direction of Master Morio Higaonna, chairman and chief instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF).

Training began at 8 o'clock each morning, continuing to 1 p.m. Afternoon sessions involved various demonstrations by world renowned instructors such as Senseis Chuck Merriman, Rodney Hu and Stan O'Hara.

There was also the matter of competitions at the event that had in excess of 200 participants.

Meanwhile, Smith, along with several other IOGKF black belts took part in a gruelling grading examination that lasted more than five hours. It consisted of basic techniques, kata (pre-arranged patterns), bunkai (application of kata moves), kumite (sparring), makiwara (striking apparatus), 100 push-ups and a detailed written examination.

Smith's success during the above garnered his promotion. PHOTO SAN DIEGO KICKERS -- Back row, left to right: Mariae Dixon, Randy Stafford, Beverly Clarke, Rosemarie DeShields. Front: Michael Bean, Master Morio Higaonna, Sensei Bobby Smith, Chistopher Phillips, Gary Marsden.