Japanese fisherman uses karate skills to fend off bear

MAEBASHI, Japan, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A Japanese fisherman called upon his martial arts skills after being attacked by a large bear near a local river.

According to The Straits Times, the 6-foot tall Asian black bear approached the man as he was fishing near the Jizo River on Thursday afternoon.

"At first glance it seemed like something was there, and it was a bear with an imposing stance. It came pouncing towards me when my eyes met the bear's," he told media. "Its rounded ears were perfectly circular just like a teddy bear's, and its face was so huge."

The 63-year-old man, who holds a black belt in Karate engaged with the bear and managed to fend off its attack.

"The bear had such, such great strength. I was knocked over when it leapt at me. It scratched me and bit me. But in the end I managed to trick the bear, poked it in the eyes and it ran away," he said.

Gunma police told the Japan Times they had received reports of bears in the area and discouraged residents from fighting back as the fisherman had done.

"If you witness a bear, don't fight. Walk away quietly and report it to the police instead," an official said,

The fisherman was able to bring himself to a nearby hospital where he was treated for minor injuries after receiving bite and claw marks on his body head and arms.