THE Guyana Karate College last Friday held its second grading of 2015 under the watchful eyes of the Chairman and Chief Instructor of the International Karate Daigaku World Karate Organisation Master Frank Woon-A-Tai. Sensei Woon-A-Tai who conducted the session had the assistance of Sensei Jeffrey Wong (Chief Instructor of GKC and a 6th dan), Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt (5th dan), Sensei Eric Hing of Central Shotokan (GCC), Sensei Kenrick Cheeks of Shakti Institute (West Coast), Sensei Lavern (5th dan) and Sensei Guy Low (5th dan).
Attaining Shodan (1st degree black belt) were Nigel Roberts, Ronaldo Persaud, Alyssa Singh, Jayden Hurry and Aiden Singh. Sisters Rebecca and Rachael Ramlal proudly moved up to Nindan (2nd degree black belt) increasing the number of very young persons in this group.
Moving from 10kyu to 8kyu were Joseph Sheniqua, Jonathan Mohan, Aniyah Couchman, Kyle Couchman, Ayden Doris, Dwayne Tim, Victoria Harris, Abdool Rahim, Shaquan Joseph, Ajay Daniel Kanhai, Tristan Richards and Naomi Harris. Several students including Sarah N.J. Persaud, Daniel Sarran, Dhivendra Hanoman, Saidah Bradford and Darius Rodney moved from 8kyu to 7kyu. Moving from7kyu to 6kyu were Christian Jettoo, Jayden Jettoo, Cayla Richards and Ruel Norton.
The grading also saw outstanding performances from Gopal Persaud and Ray Samaroo, who moved from 7kyu to 5kyu. Daniel Denny, Jonathan Ng-A-Fook, Zaine Bispat, Romuald Khan, Taissa De Nobrega, Diego De Nobrega moved from 6kyu to 5kyu. Moving from 5kyu-4kyu were Damale Denny, Rudy Austin and Lemuel Scott. Rebecca De Freitas also performed outstandingly earning her a 3rd kyu from 5kyu. Moving from 4kyu to 3kyu were Alyssa Ramotar, Jonathan Robinson, Aron Hendricks, Kellisa Jupiter and Jessica Callender. Also from 3kyu to 2kyu were Aditya Seetaram, Danielle Khan and Bruce Yong. From 2kyu to 1kyu were William Grant, Motilall Mattadin, Jonathan Ramlal, Vikram Thani and William Escarraga.
In the adult classes and moving from 8kyu to 7kyu were Paula Louis-Grant, Nadia Ramlal and Nalini Rampersaud.
The grading exercise came to an end after an award ceremony which acknowledged the contributions and achievements of some members.
National Grade Six Assessment high achievers were recognised – Daequon Burnett, Zane Low, John McGrath and Tyler Orderson.
Jonathan Robinson was recognised for his ‘Resilience’, Hannah Farinha was presented with her 2nd degree black belt Certificate (achieved last March) and Sensei Jeffrey Wong (GKC’s co-Chief Instructor) was awarded for his ‘Dedicated and Exemplary Service’ to GKC.

By Stephan Sookram