The International Karate Organization’s (IKO) Academy of Guyana staged its second grading examinations since its local establishment, with Georgetown and Linden conducting their maiden grading exercise which was attended by more than 70 students.
This was disclosed by an IKO release which also stated that grading was conducted by a panel of instructors led by Chief Instructor and Chairman, Shihan Jeffrey Wong at the Georgetown Dojo which is located at the Muslim Youth Organization facility in Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.
It also informed that members desirous of being tested must attend a minimum number of classes and meet the technical proficiency of the respective belt level prior to grading.
According to the release, leading the promotions were Amaya Christina Ramsarup and Shemina Peroune who skipped from 10th kyū to 6th kyū (White Belt to Green Belt) and Ian Nathaniel Ramsarup and Shad Walrond who skipped from 10th kyū to 7th kyū (White Belt to Orange Belt), whilst Reian Nicketa Fredericks, Aiden Housain Baksh, Joseph Hector, Kasan Whyte, Daniel London and Zabida Parboo skipped from 10th kyū to 8th kyū (White Belt to Yellow Belt).
It further stated that at the Linden Dojo where training is carried out at the Mackenzie High School auditorium, heading the promotion list of karatekas were: Susanne Hamilton, Jerrick Rutherford, Sharice Henry, and Shamariah London who skipped from 10th kyū to 5th kyū (White kyu to Blue Belt); McAle McRae, Rondel Rutherford, Omarion Forsythe, Javari McKenzie, Reya Temaul, Jaden Temaul, Aaliyah Allicock, and Carlotta Thompson, who skipped from 10th kyū to 6th kyū (White Belt to Green Belt); Cleon Bristol, Shakim Bobb-Semple, Collis Jacobs, Rasheed Allicock, Jabari Frank, Quincy Smartt, Leon Fiedtkou, Rajon Alleyne, Unique Webster, Duran Fiedtkou, Sharique Mohamed, Jasezin Lamazon, Takuma Burgess, Jafari Murray, Tywin Burgess, Sean Sealey, Luther Fiedtkou, and Tevonne Collette, who skipped from 10th kyū to 7th kyū (White Belt to Orange Belt); and Akira Bethune, Kenya Mentis, Adrian Glasgow, Jaliyah Liverpool, Sameer Khan, Ameer Khan, Amelia Wills, Amari Smith, Zylick Adams, Riyaad Ramnanan, Justin Fiedtkou, and Javier Frank, who all skipped from 10th kyū to 8th kyū (White Belt to Yellow Belt).
Kyū is a Japanese term used to denote ranks in modern martial arts below dan or black belt.
Chief Instructor Shihan Wong expressed his satisfaction with the quality of performance by the respective participants, while emphasising that the aim and objective of the Academy is to maintain the highest level of performance from its students.
He noted that the success of the students is rooted in the fact that the Academy employs the traditional teaching methods and high standards, which are pivotal in producing the strongest and most skillful students.
The Academy will conduct supplementary grading examinations in January 2022 for individuals from the Georgetown and Linden dojos who were unable to attend the sessions, the release added.
