Kinoti, J. W.Njororai, W. W. S.Kiganjo, G. M.2015-10-062015-10-061997http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/13731A paper presented at the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and dance 3rd Scientific Congress held on 11th - 15th September, 1997 in Nairobi, KenyaKarate is a martial art sport whose main objective is to develop techniques and tactics for self-defense without the use of weapons. The ability to balance determines how well an individual can perform in this sport. The body's balance is maintained at the hips where the mass of the body is concentrated. A one case shot study was carried out on twelve experienced and twelve inexperienced male karatekas. The subjects were tested on modified stork balance. The two groups were compared using the t-test. Among other findings, it was established that the experienced karatekas had a mean of 111.42 seconds compared to 58.08 seconds for the non-experienced group. The difference in balancing ability was significant at p~ 0.05 level in favour of experienced karatekas. It was evident that the more one engaged in the sport the more one became competent in the balancing abilities. Training and persistent practice are, therefore, vital if one is to perfect the much needed balancing abilities.enModified stork balanceKaraiekasSelf- defensePresentation