Twenty eight (28) youngsters graduated with flying colours and elevated themselves up the rankings when the Central Shotokan Karate-Do Association held their first grading at the Georgetown Cricket Club on March 9.
The students were graded by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, a ninth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, and is the chief instructor of the International Karate Daigaku, President of the Caribbean Karate College, Chief instructor and Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, and Chairman of IKD Canada and IKD Guyana.
The graduating class along with their grading examiner Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai (seated left), Instructor Eric Hing (seated Center) and Kenrick Cheeks (seated right)
Reaching their 1st Kyu, were the duo of Cayla Richards and Ruel Norton, who were both part of the first batch of students under the instructions of Eric Hing, a third Dan black belt holder.
The pair will be aiming for their 1st Dan (black belts) at the next grading by the end of June.
Saidah Bradford and Aniyah Couchman moved up to 2nd Kyu from 3rd Kyu while Kyle Couchman, Shane Sargent and Ayden Doris were elevated to 3rd Kyu from 4th Kyu.
Savitha Singh, Che Talbot, Reibi Smith, Keron Persaud and Damel Cameron passed their grading to reach 4th Kyu after being placed at 5th Kyu in their previous grading.
Moving up were Lataliya Norton and Jerimiah Low into the 5th Kyu classification from 6th Kyu.
From 8th Kyu to 7th Kyu were Raphael Ali, Lucas Alencar, Jemacy Holder, Mortimer Duke and Kellon Beharry while Nicholas Alencar, Nathaniel Singh and Daniel James jumped two rankings into 6th Kyu.
Also moving two ranks up were Uthan Henry, Gabriel Lewis, Jelani Armstrong, Shaka October, Chad and Aiden Lovell as they moved from 10th into 8th Kyu.
At the end of the grading, Sensei Hing was delighted with the success of the class, particularly highlighting the discipline and dedication the children have shown. He encouraged all of the students to continue to strive for excellence.
