THE end of the year is a time to reflect, take stock of the year past, and plan for the year ahead. For the Guyana Karate College (GKC), the year that has passed feels like a nano-moment since its last year-end reflection.

As they enjoy the customary celebrations of the season and look forward to embracing a new year, the GKC has considered it important to take a moment to reflect, remember, and appraise the year that has passed in the context of quantifying that which has or has not been achieved, and laying out its plans and programs for 2019.

THE YEAR BEHIND

In 2018, The Guyana Karate College’s Vice Chairman and Vice Chief Instructor, Shihan Jeffrey Wong, was able to earn his 7th Degree Black Belt, also known as Shichidan— only one of two Shodan Karate Masters in Guyana under the International Karate Daigaku entitled to wear the award in this traditional Japanese style of martial arts. Wong credits the other Shotokan masters that came before, including Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-a-Tai, for what he considers the privilege of testing.

Shihan Wong enjoys the philosophy of respect, self-improvement and mind and body control that goes with Shotokan Karate. He said, “Traditionally, you rest in place for a while and grow into the rank, life experiences and wisdom are part of the Shotokan practice.”

Additionally, three other senior Instructors of the Guyana Karate College were tested and upgraded to the rank of 6th Degree Black Belts, also known as Rokudan and they are Senseis Dr. Guy Low, Aubrey Bettencourt and Terrence Nicholas.

They achieved this level through continued practice of their martial arts skills for well over forty years as well as the practice of the tenets of the martial arts for the betterment of mankind. These tenets include humility, courtesy in all matters, charity in giving, high moral character, unconquerable spirit and certain victory.

During this year, several other Karatekas of the GKC also earned their first, second and third degree black belts.

In 2018, karatekas from the GKC attended and competed in the International Karate Daigaku World Karate Championships, also known as the IKD Karate World Cup, the highest level of competition for karate organized by the International Karate Daigaku. The competition was held in Barbados with the Guyana Karate College earning fourth place, not as good as they had hoped for or had done at the two previous World Championships in Toronto, Canada in 2012 and 2015, when they placed second on those two previous occasions. This, they believe, was due to the fact that there were some early injuries to some of their more skilful martial artists and the absence of some of their more capable and experienced karatekas who were unavailable for the tournament.

For this year, the GKC also progressed with the construction of its new Dojo and headquarters located at Liliendaal, by laying the floor slab of their new edifice. This is in addition to the portal frame and roofing that was completed the year before.

THE WAY FORWARD

In the words of George Harrison: ‘And if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.’
The Guyana Karate Collee has an ambitious and progressive vision for karate in Guyana during the next year and looks forward to bringing it to life. Their vision is to have more people positively engaging with karate, in more places, more often – for life.

Aware that the future strength of karate-do in Guyana lies in our people — players, parents, instructors, officials, staff, volunteers, supporters and other friends of karate– the GKC proposes in 2019 to work collaboratively to get more Guyanese engaging with karate in meaningful and positive ways. The college will provide more opportunities for more people to take part more often and to stay involved with karate as social or competitive karatekas and as instructors, officials, supporters or volunteers.

As karate continues getting ready to make its debut in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Guyana Karate College shall be hosting the Caribbean Karate Championships or the International Karate Daigaku Caribbean Cup, that will be their flagship event for the year. At this international tournament, the GKC is planning to do much better and indeed is hoping to win the IKD Caribbean Cup next year. As part of its endeavours to increase its success at top competitions of the sport, it shall have its karatekas undergo a rigorous training schedule next year.

The college will also be aiming to complete the construction of its state-of-the-art Dojo, Fitness Centre and Headquarters in 2019, and shall be launching a recruitment drive for new students. Increasing karate in the schools and encouraging more adults into the martial art shall be on its agenda.

The strategic pillars that the GKC has set itself for 2019 will enhance the karate brand and make it accessible, relevant and rewarding for all Guyanese, deliver national athletes and teams that will inspire and excite the people of Guyana.