That was how Nick King described Nathan Corbett’s visit to his lifestyle centre on the weekend. The 11-time world champion Muay Thai fighter was swamped by younger enthusiasts and adults, keen to improve their style through Corbett’s instruction in the two separate workshops.

About 25 children and youths attended the morning session and about 40 adults the afternoon workshop.

“It was a big group of kids. Lots of techniques were taught, lots of combinations and timing techniques. It was really good,” King said.

“The kids did really well, they did a good job.

“Nathan is awesome and to have him here at a little martial arts centre in the bush is pretty good.”

For Corbett, the hour-long kid’s session was a first. He said he had taught children before but had never held a workshop exclusively for them.

“It went brilliantly and we’re happy. It was just so much fun to teach the kids,” Corbett said.

“It’s very hands-on so it gives kids not only the ability to learn self-defence, but also to have a bit of a kick out and a bit of a punch out, and let out any energy they might have.” Corbett said he taught the kids that the sport was best kept in the gym, or in the ring if the fighter was going to compete professionally.

Manager of Inverell Tourism, and also Karate fourth degree black belt holder, Peter Caddey, said he wasn’t surprised by the number of people who came to the town to participate in Corbett’s seminar.

“We know we’ve got people here from over to the east, we’ve got people from as far away as Tamworth. 

“It’s absolutely brilliant. We’ve certainly had people coming from hundreds of kilometres away to immerse themselves in the knowledge that this man has,” Caddey said.