Wolfson Campus Starts New Karate Club To Promote Self-Defense

After recently earning his second U.S Open championship in April, David Bavaresco, a third-degree black belt, is accomplishing another personal milestone—starting a karate club at Wolfson Campus.  

The MDC Karate Club, led by Bavaresco, who serves as president and sensei, will host practices instead of typical meetings.  

“The club is starting off by offering free martial arts lessons led by David,” said Daniel Estape, the club’s adviser and director of the Fitness and Wellness Center at Wolfson Campus. “Most people think that because it’s karate then there will be lots of sparring, but these lessons will consist of demonstrations only. Nobody will engage into physical contact as it could lead towards liability issues with the college.”

Bavaresco, 21, held the club’s first official practice on September 1st. The organization will meet every Friday at 6 p.m. in Room 7106.

“My goal for the club is to reach a high level of competitiveness,” Bavaresco said. “I want for us to take the name of Miami Dade College up high and place it within a ranking of prestige in the sport. I want us to represent not just the United States but MDC as well in the World University Championships for Karate.”

Driven by his love for the sport, Bavaresco hopes to ignite the same passion in others so that karate can continue to grow in popularity. .

“I plan for the club to serve with multiple purposes to the student body,” Bavaresco said. “First, I want to create a drive toward the sport within the college; second, I want to promote positive values within the student body; and third, as a club I want for us not only to offer free personal defense lessons, but to use these as vehicles that rise interest toward the sport.”

Although the club started holding practices in the summer, it did not officially become a registered organization until this fall.  Interest in the organization has continued to grow in part due to Bavaresco’s fierce public demonstrations, which includes various  kicks, chops and jumps. The club has 14 members and six are part of its executive board.

“I feel like I could learn techniques that I could use in my everyday life and that’s why I joined,” said Paola Rodriguez, a club member. “I have no experience in martial arts but this club offers me the opportunity to learn how to defend myself and stay in shape.”