Kristina Ingham paid tribute to former Bermuda Karate Institute (BKI) sensei Kent Simmons who died last Friday, describing him as passionate for the sport that was dear to his heart.Simmons, who trained under Ingham’s husband, Skipper, competed both locally and abroad and was well known in the community for his commitment to the sport as well as his personality.“Kent trained under my husband for many years, probably from the time he was about 21 and taught classes at BKI until about 2002,” said Ingham. “He had started karate under Johnny Battersbee, one of my husband’s early black belt students, and subsequently trained directly at the BKI initially when it was on Court Street, and from 1991 in its current location on King Street.Simmons featured in many local and international tournaments throughout his illustrious career.His achievements included three silver medals at the House of Samurai in New Hampshire as well as bronze medals at the Pan-Am tournament in Brazil in 1999.His last grading with the BKI was seventh degree black belt on November 30, 1998.“In addition to gojuryu karate, Simmons studied kobudo and iaido at the institute from instructors that we brought to Bermuda,” added Ingham.“Between 1986 and 1999 he won or placed as a finalist in many local competitions in forms, weapons and sparring, and represented Bermuda Karate Institute abroad several times, including a weapons championship at the Battle of Boston in 1995, where he also was first runner-up in the grand championship.“In 1999 returned to Boston to win two silver medals and a bronze.“His other international events included the 1994 Miyagi Festival in New London, Connecticut, where he placed in both forms and weapons and the House of Samurai in Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he was sparring grand champion in 1995, as well second in masters forms and fifth in masters weapons.“In 1999 he won triple silver medals at the same event.“He was part of the Bermuda Karate Organisation team at the World Karate Organisation Pan-Am tournament in Curitiba, Brazil, also in 1999, where he gained silver medals in masters forms and weapons and bronze in masters sparring.“As recently as 2009, he travelled to Okinawa, the home of karate, for the first and final time.“We extend our condolences to his family, students and friends.”