Tandia Mohamed Bakari began studying karaté in 1992 at the age of 15. After 8 years of rigorous training, he earned his black belt in shotokan karaté.
In 2001, he trained in Dakar, Sénégal under the supervision of Sensei Zapata and the Yokokai Club of Sensei More Gueye. In addition to serving as the technical director of the Sporting Karaté Club de Kaédi, Tandia Mohamed Bakari also created a shotokan club in Aleg, Mauritania on December 10, 2004, which is currently headed by his student Tahara Sidibé. He also successfully led a 4-month training program for the local security force at the request of the police commissioner.
As the youngest technical director in Mauritania, Tandia is highly-respected by his colleagues and students. During his tenure, he has increased the size of the club to over 200 students, largely as a result of his dedication and willingness to donate all of his time while ensuring that no student is turned away. His leadership has successfully transformed a local club into a nationally and internationally renowned club with contacts around the world, including: Sensei Mario Ross in Yarmouth, Canada; Sensei Johnny Gence in France; and Sensei Tete Daté in Lomé, Togo.
