Shotokan Karate-DO of Guyana hosts first International Grading

Apr 17, 2015 Sports

Some 101 students from the Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana (ShokoGuy) were graded on Saturday April 4th at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The successful students pose with Master Peter Warren (7th Dan) following the conclusion of the examinations.

At the commencement of the grading, Chief Instructor Sensei Chaves introduced the international examiner Master Peter Warren (7th Dan) of neighboring Barbados who is also a member of ISKF’s Technical Committee.
Master Warren in his opening remarks expressed delight at being involved while conveying to the members, greetings on behalf of Master Okazaki, Master Yaguchi, and the ISKF Technical Committee.
He stated that the ISKF was happy to have Guyana as part of their portfolio and a member of the ISKF family. Following this, Mrs. Danzie-Black, Managing Director of Cerulean Inc. congratulated and presented certificates to those students who participated in the organization’s Etiquette and Service Quality Training last month.
Being the first grading for the year under the International Shotokan Karate Federation there was much anticipation. Dan testing was done first by Master Warren and six – 1st KYU students were examined.
They did extremely well and their efforts paid off as they are now the new inductees to the black belt fraternity receiving promotion to Shodan rank (1st degree – black belt). These students are Timothy Khan 14 years-old, Timothy Chand 13 years-old, Loren Black 13 years-old, Kristalia Chaves 12 years-old, Reyad Yassin 12 years-old, and Kristian Chaves 10 years-old.
Storm Katchay also performed excellent during his testing and was successful in his acquisition for Nidan rank (2nd degree – black belt).
All the other students who took their examination made good on their effort ensuring to excel and be promoted. These in summary are listed as follows: Two students moved to 1st KYU brown belt, 5 moved to 2nd KYU brown belt, and 5 moved to 3rd KYU brown belt.
In the Intermediate group 8 moved to 4th KYU purple belt, 5 to 5th KYU purple belt and 21 moved to 6th KYU green belt.
Fifteen (15) moved to 7th KYU orange belt, 25 to 8th KYU yellow belt, and 8 moved to 9th KYU 1st stage yellow belt. Also in the KYU ranks, Aftab Khan stood out in his performance and skipped 7th KYU (orange belt) and was promoted to 6th KYU (Green belt).
As the examination culminated, Master Warren gave helpful suggestions as to how the students can improve technically in both basic techniques and sparring tactics. He applauded the efforts made and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana HQ is located at the Karate Benab, National Park, Thomas Lands, and they are currently in preparation for the 2015 ISKF Camp and Goodwill tournament that will be held in Philadelphia, USA from June 12th -19th.
The organization which was formerly the Japan Karate Association/World Federation Guyana and is now affiliated with the International Shotokan Karate Federation whose headquarters is in Philadelphia USA.
ISKF is a traditional Shotokan Karate organization, founded by Master Teruyuki Okazaki (10th Dan), who studied directly under Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate.