… GKC creates history again

JOHN Fernandes, Aubrey Bettencourt and Tejram Harichand were all promoted to the International Karate Daigaku (IDK) distinguished International Karate Rank, making them, according to protocol, accountable to the body led by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, M.S., 9th Dan.
According to a release from the Guyana Karate College (GKC), it was the first time in the history of the school that three Seventh Degree Black Belts have attained that distinction, thereby brining the overall total to four. The five-part final examination and results announcement took place on a unique moment in history: the combined Dan ranks – 3 x 7th dan = 21 dan total, took place on the 21st hour, of the 21st day, of the 21st year, of the 21st Century, at the Transport Sports Club GKC dojo, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
The grading panel consisted of Shuseki Shihan in person and by Zoom: IKD Deputy Chief Master Maureen Woon-A-Tai 8th Dan, Keith DaCosta 8th Dan, Charles Woon-A-Tai 8th Dan and GKC First Deputy, Josef Woon-A-Tai, 8th Dan, who are all Guyanese and members of the distinguished IKD Senate, the second-highest authority of the IKD.

Since his arrival in Guyana more than two months ago, Shuseki Shihan (World Chief Master) Frank Woon-A-Tai has been training and preparing the Seventh Dan candidates for the historic day. The there have also earned the International title of Shihan (Master).
The training began at the Archbishop of the West Indies lawn during the early 1970s. Fernandes, CEO of Astro Arts, earned his first Dan black belt from Master Teruyuki Okazaki, 10th Dan, June 18, 1975. Hotel owner and CEO Bettencourt earned his July 26, 1975, and Psychotherapist Harrichand, earned his March 20, 1976.All three now join the Masters Rank of Seventh Dan with Dr Guy Low, Medical Doctor and Assistant Professor at the University of Guyana.
Doctor Low earned his First Dan on November 11, 1974. These four Masters are all senior to any other current IKD Seventh Dan masters in Guyana except for Master Amir Khouri, Seventh Dan of the YMCA dojo.

The GKC release pointed out that there is a five-step process to achieve Kodansha (High Dan Rank): – the candidate must be recommended by a member of the IKD Shihan-kai (Master’s Committee); the candidate must be invited to the rank by Shuseki Shihan; training and guidance begin for the new Seventh or Eighth Dan Candidate; Presentation of Dissertation and Final Physical Exam (may be in three parts) and Dissertation Defence.
The new Certified Karate “Master” is now subject to the international rules and regulations regarding the Code of Conduct for Shihan(s). After three warnings, failure to comply with these rules may subject one to be stripped of rank and dishonourably discharged.
The GKC is exceptionally proud that its Masters and all students have direct lineage to the Founder of Karate, Master Gichin Funakoshi, and the Founder of World Traditional Karate, Master Masatoshi Nakayama, 10th Dan,who visited Guyana in 1974 and again in 1979.
Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai studied karate for 40 years under Master Teruyuki Okazaki and other Japanese masters. His teachers also included legends-Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyama andYutaka Yaguch