The Guyana Karate College’s (GKC) first grading exercise for 2015 held last month by Frank Woon-A-Tai was a tremendous success with 107 students graded at the Carifesta Avenue Sports Complex.
According to a press release, Master Woon-A-Tai, M.S., F.G.M.S., and a ninth-degree black belt, Chairman and Chief instructor of GKC and the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) world karate organization, was assisted by Sensei Jeffery Wong (senior instructor of GKC and a sixth Dan black belt), Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt (fifth Dan black belt), Sensei Eric Hing of Central Shotokan (GCC, third Dan black belt) and Sensei Kenrick Cheeks of Shakti Institute (West Coast).
Among the outstanding karatekas was 10-year-old Hannah Farinha who moved up from a first degree black belt to a second degree black belt becoming in the process, the youngest female IKD Nidan karateka to achieve this honor.
Aliya Wong, presently a third degree black belt, previously held that distinction.
Kevin Kellman successfully became a first degree black belt.
The grading exercises began with the beginners (white belts) who all performed exceedingly well.
Moving from 10 kyu to 8 kyu were Shane Sarjeant, Saidah Bradford, Aliya Robertson, Rodney Darius, Dhivendra Hanoman, Daniel Sarran and Sarah Parsaud.
Exceptional performances at the grading came from young Cayla Richards, Gopal Persaud and Ray Samaroo who moved from 10th kyu to 7th kyu while Rico Forris moved from 9th kyu to 8th kyu and Ruel Norton from 9th kyu to 7th kyu.
In other results, Jayden Jettoo, Christian Jettoo and Joshua Dyall moved from 8th kyu to 7th kyu while Romuald Khan, Diego De Nobrega, Taissa De Nobrega, Mekhi Ritchie-Taylor, Jonathan NG-A-Fook, Nathanael Archer, Daniel Denny and Zaine Bispat all moved from 7th kyu to 6th kyu. Joeancy Singh, Scott Lemuel, Damale Denny, Josiah Dyall, Eaton Low and Ezekiel Poulis all moved to 6th kyu.
In addition, Jonathan Robinson, Kelissa Jupiter, Alyssa Ramotar, Seon Poulis, Jessica Callender and Aron Hendricks all moved from 5th kyu to 4th kyu.
Moving from 4th kyu to 3rd kyu were Bruce Yong, Aditya Seetaram, Danielle Khan and Jeremiah Poulis. Jonathan Ramlall, William Grant, William Escarraga, Jun Mikami and Vickram Thani all moved from 3rd kyu to 2nd kyu. Also moving one rank higher from 2nd kyu to 1st kyu were Ronaldo Persaud, Aiden Singh, Jayden Hurry, Alyssa Singh and Dominick Johnson.
In the adult classes which commenced early this year, Paula Louis-Grant, Nadia Ramlall and Nalini Rampersaud moved from 10th kyu to 8th kyu while Michael Blake also moved from 10th kyu to 9th kyu at this grading.
Meanwhile, the GKC is preparing to defend its International Karate Diagaku World Cup Championship 2012 titles.
This year’s tournament will be held in Canada from July 15-19.
At the last championships in 2012, the GKC placed second behind Canada
with 23 gold, 5 silver and 17 bronze medals and according to the release, the GKC is confident that they will surpass the previous effort.
“The college looks forward for your support towards its fund – raising endeavors to allow the GKC to participate in the IKD World Tournament 2015 and its Dojo building Fund. It continues to extend its sincerest gratitude to its contributors,” stated the release.
The GKC said it continues to accept new students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5pm at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue and advance students from 6pm.
“The GKC also welcomes new students for adult classes which are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm. Interested persons can come in or call 676-7307,” ended the release.
