In 2015, I lost my dad and had to return to Singapore to take over his business. It was a difficult period, and I left my martial arts group in the care of my senior student while I focused on family responsibilities. Whenever I could participate in classes, I allowed myself to focus on specific material I wanted to explore deeply. I began filming those sessions, not knowing that this habit would pull me down a rabbit hole that would change the course of my martial arts career.
That was the beginning of my obsession with Bassai Dai. One kata, above all others. Those early videos became the foundation of my book Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai. At the time, I didn’t realise I was building anything. I was just trying to understand the material more honestly.
In 2016, during the American Karate and Taekwondo Organization’s 40th Anniversary, I had the privilege of leading a seminar and sharing some of that early material. It was my first AKATO banquet, and after a long week I was absolutely shattered. As GM Keith Yates began announcing Instructor of the Year, I slowly realised he was describing someone who sounded very familiar. I was stunned when he called out my name. As someone who teaches a small, tight‑knit group, the honour meant more than I can express.
I remain deeply grateful to GM Yates for his kindness and encouragement, and for inviting me back to Dallas more often. Having both my instructors there, Bryan Robbins (RIP) and GM Mike Proctor, made the moment even more meaningful. And the friendships formed that weekend have stayed with me ever since.
A decade later, I returned to lead a seminar for AKATO’s 50th Anniversary, another huge honour, and a reminder of how blessed I’ve been to be welcomed into this family.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
You can get a copy of Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata from Amazon or directly from the author at Ingram Sparks.