THE Guyana Karate College last Friday held a special Kyu and Dan grading examinations for over 60 of its students under the review of the Chairman and Chief Instructor Shihan Frank Woon-a-Tai M.S. a ninth Degree Black Belt of the newest world shotokan karate organisation, the International Karate Diagaku. Students undertaking the examinations this year were drawn from the GKC’s four dojos, namely the Marian Academy, the Timehri Community Centre, the Guyana Karate Shotokan Club located at Girl Guides’ Building, Brickdam, and the Malteenoes Sports Club.
Youngest Black Belt – Student of Marian Academy
Tyler Orderson at just seven years old became the youngest student from across the world under the International Karate Diagaku world umbrella organisation to earn a Shotokan Karate black belt.
He was a first kyu brown belt and was awarded the prestigious black belt after a stringent examination was carried out by Master Woon-a-Tai and his team of examiners.
Tyler, whose skills and concentration are considered to be amazing by his instructors, has within four months of taking up karate three years ago at the GKC, achieved his first belt – a yellow.
Thanks to one and a half hours of daily practice, he successfully acquired the next seven belts in just under three years, under the watchful eyes of 6th Dan Black Belt and Senior Instructor, Sensei Jeffrey Wong.
Tyler, a student of Marian Academy, like the ‘Ultimate Karate Kid’ has been training since the tender age of four and already knows to perform more than a dozen katas.
Also joining the esteemed black belt club as a consequence of being successful at the shodan grading exercise was Alyssa Persaud aged 11 year, a student from Marian Academy and Desmond Fernandes of St John’s College.
Both Alyssa and Desmond are talented and committed students.
Additionally, of note were the promotions of Alliyah Wong and Joshua Mortley from Shodan (1st degree black belts) to Nidan (2nd degree black belts).
High-kicking Alliyah who is only ten years old and extremely gifted, also achieved the distinction of being the youngest karateka from all the countries globally governed by the International Karate Daigaku to be awarded the 2nd degree (nidan ranking). Both Alliyah and Josh put on a scintillating performance as they went through their paces for grading.

International Karate Diagaku Cup
The Guyana Karate College now has its focus set on preparing its best students to be a part of ‘Team Guyana’ to participate in the first ‘International Diagaku Cup’ to be held in Toronto, Canada, starting  July 3, 2012 under the auspices of the International Karate Diagaku, the newest world karate organization, founded by Master Frank Woon-a-Tai. Its membership comprises over 150 clubs worldwide and in excess of 20 countries.
This year, for his outstanding work and achievements in karate both locally and internationally, Master Woon-a-Tai was recognised by being appointed to the Orders of Guyana being given the insignia of the Medal of Service.

NEW DOJO
The GKC has also set itself as a priority for the remainder of 2011 the commencement of phase two of the construction of its new headquarters and dojo at Liliendaal, on land that has been donated by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Already the College has completed its grading, land-filling and foundation works as part of phase one and this new phase will see the erection of the steel frame and the completion of the exterior building, including the roof and walls.