GKC recognises 5 new International Black Belt karatekas

The Guyana Karate College (GKC), in a simple ceremony at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday presented a number of International Black Belt Diplomas and personalised black belts to deserving students and members of the College.
The recipients – David Hacket, Gobin Kumar, Balran Dass, Shawn Jemmott, Jayen Persaud, and young Azari Samuels – were presented with well-deserved certificates as well as customised black belts, demonstrating their proficiency and devotion to the art of karate.
Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, head of the GKC, emphasised on the significance of the International Black Belt: “This is not a club black belt, but an international one. In 1970, I went to England to train and then I realised my black belt from Suriname is not recognised. So, the following year I went to Japan I took off the black belt I had and I was training there with a white belt. One month after I gained my International Black Belt and that was in 1971, I don’t think any other Guyanese has been to Japan and earned their black belt at The Japan Karate Association.”
Woon-A-Tai congratulated the five karate practitioners on their outstanding achievements and encouraged them to continue their journey with determination and commitment. He personally issued the symbolic belts to each awardee, symbolising the duty and honour that comes with the black belt level, with a sense of pride and appreciation.
Woon-A-Tai went on to reveal that the GKC/ International Budokan Dojo is currently 95 per cent complete and is set to host the prestigious Karate World Cup next year. The tournament is expected to draw more than 800 participants from various corners of the world to compete on the very soil of Guyana.