WITH GREAT anticipation, the students of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) flocked the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for their end of year grading examination last Saturday, under the guidance of Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, Chairman and Chief instructor of the International Karate Daigaku/World karate Organisation.Master Woon-A-Tai was ably assisted by GKC’s vice-chairman Jeffrey Wong, Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt and Sensei Lovern Jones who all sat proudly awaiting the well executed katas that were exhibited by their students.
Families and friends who came out in full support made up an anxious audience and cheered with relief after each group of karatekas completed their performances and exited the stage.
The event was concluded as Master Woon-A-Tai announced passes straight across the board, with 8 year old Dearon Austin and 9 year old Anish Sharma displaying amazing technique, speed and power to impress the judges while attaining Shodan moving from 2nd Kyu.
Also attaining Shodan were Basilia Bettencourt, Samuel Monroe and Steffon Smith, with other exceptional performances at the grading coming from David Bramdeo, Jonathan Bramdeo and Clifton Bacchus who moved from 10 Kyu to 7Kyu.
Jayden Jettoo, Christian Jettoo and Joshua Dyall also performed exceptionally, moving from 10 kyu to 8 Kyu followed by Ramuald Khan, Diego De Nobrega, TaissaDe Nobrega, Mekhi Ritchie, Jonathan NG-A-Fook and Jonathan Mohitram who moved from 9 Kyu to 7 Kyu, while Joeancy Singh was also outstanding moving from 8 Kyu to 6 Kyu.
In the higher ranking, Aliya Wong, a 2nd degree black belt continued to shine as she moved up one rank to a 3rd degree black belt, the youngest IKD at 13 years old, where she was later joined by Leon Burnett and Rolan Fanfair who also went up one rank higher to 2nd degree black belt.
Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt was awarded his 5th degree black belt by Master Woon-A-Tai and moving from 8 Kyu to 7 Kyu were Nathan Archer, Daniel Denny and Zaine Bispat.
Eaton Low, Lemuel Scott, Damale Denny and Josiah Dyall all moved from 7 Kyu to 6 Kyu. In addition Jonathan Robinson, Kelissa Juipter, Mario Dos Santos, Alyssa Ramotar and Aron Hendricks moved from 6 kyu to 5 kyu.
Moving from 5 kyu to 4 kyu were Bruce Yong, Aditya Seetaram, Danielle Khan and Kiefer Barker. Jonathan Ramlal, William Grant, William Escarraga, Jun Mikami and Vickram Thani all moved from 4Kyu to 3Kyu.
Also moving one rank higher from 3rd kyu to 2nd Kyu were Ronaldo Persaud, Aiden Singh, Jayden Hurry, Alyssa Singh and Dominick Johnson, even as Daequon Burnett moved from 2nd Kyu to 1st Kyu.
Altogether the final grading for the year 2014 was a success for the GKC who continue on a path of excellence, even as they send out heartfelt gratitude to the unending support of parents, relatives and the media.