Bennett aims to climb the ranks

– to host father-and-child karate sessions

Timothy Jaikarran

One year has passed, and Sensei Miranda Bennett has continued to strive as she provides martial arts training as a beacon of hope to her participating students.
Her classes have grown tremendously, and are continuing to grow since there is an influx of students who are willing to learn this form of sport.
The classes are usually held at the Berea International Hall, opposite the Impeccable Banquet Hall on Brickdam, where the 2nd Dan black belt instructor holds classes from 10:00h to 11:00h on Saturdays.
Guyana Times Sport asked what the club is currently doing, and Bennett replied, “Well, we are currently practising very hard for August, as we are set to participate in a tournament in Suriname. From there we will be turning our attention to the Kyokushin Nationals, which are scheduled to be held in September. From their I will be preparing myself for November, as I aim to qualify myself and move from 2nd Dan Black Belt to 3rd Dan Black Belt.

“Also, for Father’s Day, we will be hosting a father-and-child training session the week before Father’s Day. We will be accepting (students) from the age of 5 and up, no age limit.”
Bennett started her martial arts career in 2002 at the age of seven under the instruction of Sensi Robert Alleyne. She went on to Banks DIH and learnt Wado with Master Winston Dumbar. In July 2012, Bennett joined Little Diamond International Martial Arts Academy, known today as the Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA); and under guidance of Dr Nazim Yassim, she worked her way up the ladder to earn the title of 2nd Dan Black Belt.
Some of her accomplishments are: receiving awards such as Community Spirit and Ambassador Hall of Fame Awards; being the first of two females in Guyana to receive a Kyokushin black belt, and also representing Guyana in Suriname.
She is also focused on passing the Chief Instructor level exams which are set for November, as she aims to qualify herself more and become a standout for Guyana in karate.