The Island's martial art community converged on the Bermuda College yesterday for Al Wharton's Seventh Annual Martial Arts tournament.

Crowds were dazzled by the control of taekwondo, the focus of kung fu, the power of karate-do and the passion of ninjutsu.

Several competitors won thunderous applause from spectators, as they performed in front hundreds of brother and sister-martial artists.

"This brings martial artists together as a group," said Hekigan Dojo's sempai Chris Ingham, who said martial artists communicate and make friends in the competitive environment.

The competition categories included empty hand and weapons forms, fighting and breaking.

Sempai Ingham told The Royal Gazette: "One of the good things about this is that people you wouldn't meet normally are here today.

"You pass these people on the street and you don't realise that they have a martial arts background," he explained over the roar of the crowd's applause.

"It's a very good crowd," he added.

The College gymnasium, packed with people, included several stalls selling everything from martial arts books to weapons.