Karatekas thrill audience with classy displays

Aug 03, 2009 Sports

A small but appreciative crowd witnessed a spectacular display of Martial Arts demonstrations from some of the country’s finest Martial Arts practitioners when the Martial Arts Master’s Association staged the third Annual Harpy Eagles Martial Arts championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) yesterday afternoon.

Facilitators of the programme pose for a photo opportunity; From left, Professor Christopher Norville, Sensei Troy Bobb and Master John Prescod.

The programme got underway at around 11:00hrs with prayers offered by Tasleem Azeez and Yazim Yassin, on behalf of the Muslim and Christian communities, respectively. Spectators were subsequently treated to classic demonstrations by several Senseis’. Beginners also displayed their skills while engaged in non-musical katas while the Director of the Free Style Fighting Arts Federation and facilitator of the programme, Master John Prescod, thrilled the audience with several complicated moves that could have only emanated from someone of his calibre.

One especially complicated move was the ’Full Nelson.’ Here, the martial artist is attacked from behind and pinned down in a vice-like hold around his neck. In a flurry of complicated moves, the experienced practitioner dexterously steps to the right of his attacker while launching a counterattack, using a body sweep to throw his opponent to the ground, in a perfect position for a vicious counterattack.

Master Prescod also demonstrated how to apply an outside forearm block where the martial artist pivots in an anti-clockwise direction while simultaneously grabbing the attacker’s hand and effecting a powerful throw over the shoulder. “This is a very powerful jujitsu technique,” Prescod explained.

Apart from the moves demonstrated by the more experienced martial artists, the less experienced practitioners treated spectators to classical demonstrations in the competition which included musical free style forms and weapons category as well as the traditional forms of Kata.

Master John Prescod (right) demonstrates the technique employed to escape from a ‘Full Nelson’ hold during yesterday’s sessions.

The demonstration of various forms was executed by youngsters from the various clubs with Masters Eustace Cuffy, Lloyd Ramnarine and Nazim Yassin, performing the functions of judge. Later in the evening spectators were treated to several displays of combat before the curtains came down on the proceedings.

Diamond Martial Arts Academy turned in an excellent show, full details on the competitive aspect of the programme in a subsequent edition.

The Martial Arts Master’s Association would continue activities with a three-day seminar at the Plaisance Community Centre Ground from August 4-6. The curtains would come down with a Hall of Fame Award Ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) on August 7. At this ceremony, members of the martial arts fraternity would receive awards for years of meritorious service to the development of the sport. (Michael Benjamin)