Four earn black belts as 53 karatekas advance in ASK-Guyana grading

Four students achieved the coveted rank of Shodan (First Dan black belt) as the Association-do Shotokan Karate (Guyana) hosted its latest grading examinations on Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex, West Coast Berbice. In total, 53 karatekas were successful.
The newly promoted black belts are Salih Ali, Noorisha Harrinarine, Venessa Kamalall, and Aaron Anamayah.
Their promotion marks a major milestone in their martial arts journey and was met with loud applause from parents and fellow students.
Sunday’s grading was spearheaded by Seventh Dan Chief Instructor Amir Khouri, with support from senior instructors, Seventh Dan Clinton Moriah and Sixth Dan Sensei Hazrat Ali, who evaluated students across multiple technical, physical and theoretical components.
Khouri said he was particularly pleased with the progress of the black belt candidates and the high standard demonstrated across all levels. He spoke at length about karate’s value not just as a sport, but as a holistic discipline that develops physical fitness, mental resilience and self-control.
“So, karate, like any other physical exercise sport, has the physical benefit there for you,” he explained. “Health benefits, it’s training for becoming self-defence. In karate we use hand, feet, whole body, even your head. Not the head as a weapon, but mostly to look; you have to turn your head sharply, so that also gives you exercise all around.”

Khouri noted that karate also strengthens character and emotional well-being.
“Some people are timid – by shouting, you bring up your fighting spirit… A hard day at work or school, you come to train and shout, you let off all that steam.”
He credited parents for the strong turnout and continued support.
“Due to work some parents may not be able to make it, but they do support their children. I am happy today to see a large amount of parents here looking on, taking pictures after, and I always tell them pictures are very important. If you’ve got a child who wants to go to university, this is extracurricular activity for the child,” he said.

Meanwhile, the full list of successful students is as follows:
New Black Belts – First Dan (Shodan)
Salih Ali, Noorisha Harrinarine, Venessa Kamalall, and Aaron Anamayah.
Second Kyu – Brown Belt
Daneldi Elmoodeen and Iqbal S Amamayah.
Third Kyu
Aaliyah Persaud, Aaliyah Mahindon, Rashad Ramperasaud, Eshan Ali, Seraphina Amamayah and Za’rfah Haniff.
Fourth Kyu
Disha Bissessar, Minsiya Narain, Fezeema Nazzamil, Areeb Haniff and Fawaz Ali
Fifth Kyu
Ronaldo Toolsie, Sheila Ramber, Shania Fazad, Yashwardeo Sookdeo, Morvin Hayes, Sawaz Ramber, Fawaz Haniff, Diya Persaud, and Mya Haripersaud.
Sixth Kyu
Nathan Seelochan, Abdur Pooran, and Shane Dillon.
Sixth Kyu – 5B / 6B
Jayden Persaud (5B), Caleb Ramsaywack (5B), and Amiah Williams.
Seventh Kyu
Teandre Victor and Sandeep Singh.
Eighth Kyu
Sariana Naglen, Shaquad Pollard, and Saniyah Pollard.
10th Kyu
Rajiv Chattergoon, Sufiyah Persaud, Ashwin Chandipersaud, Casandra Persaud, Mia Wong, Sameer Bacchus, Mya Wong, Elysse Adams, Sudesh Persaud, Liam Wong, Maria Chang, Dylan Chang, Ventorii Reid, Jesus Rivero, Omesh Persaud, and Curtis Austin.
The Chief Instructor Khouri congratulated all students and encouraged them to continue training with discipline and dedication, noting that the promotion of four new black belts demonstrates the growing strength of karate in Berbice. (G-4)