Mayor’s award for 2009 presented to Master Frank Woon-a-Tai 

Dec 02, 2009 Sports

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The Mayor’s Award for 2009 was presented to Master Frank Woon-a-Tai, President of the Caribbean Karate College (CKC), Chief Instructor and Chairman of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) and Chairman of both International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Canada and ISKF Guyana.  Master Woon-a-Tai is an eighth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate.
The prestigious award that is bestowed each year by the Mayor of Georgetown is to recognize outstanding people and organizations who, through their commitment to participating in community and voluntary activities, have made a significant impact on the quality of lives of citizens and communities in Georgetown in one of the following categories: Arts and Culture, Environment, Conservation and Heritage, Sports, Recreation, Children and Youth.
The award was presented at the Malteenoes Sports Club, the provisional Dojo of the Guyana Karate College by the Honourable Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Robert Williams J.P. who is presently carrying out the duties of Mayor, in the absence of Mayor Hamilton Green J.P. who is out of the jurisdiction.
The Deputy Mayor in presenting the award outlined the eminent contributions of Frank Woon-a-Tai, the career karate instructor who began training at the age of fourteen, who is widely respected by students and colleagues, and who belongs to that distinguished small group of non-Japanese instructors who began to teach traditional karate in their home countries during the sixties and seventies.
Known for his smooth form, cat-like quickness, and explosive power, Frank Woon-a- Tai first gained international prominence when he won the Pan American Kata championship in 1978. Since then, the chairman and technical director of the newly re-organized International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) of Canada has turned out many champions, world-class competitors and high-ranking students of his own. Mr. Woon-A- Tai’s karate odyssey started when, as a youngster growing up in Georgetown, Guyana, a visiting karate instructor introduced him to Shotokan.
The Deputy Mayor informed the audience that captivated by its beguiling simplicity and deadly effectiveness, young Woon-A- Tai dropped judo, which he was studying, to pursue karate. At the time, however, karate was new in the west, and qualified instructors were hard to find.
The lack of available instruction did not deter the new convert. Instead, it intensified his insatiable demand for technical expertise.
From that early chance encounter, karate became his life, his lifelong passion.
By another fortuitous turn of event a few years later, Frank Woon-a-Tai discovered the Japan Karate Association, when Masatoshi Nakayama, the late chief instructor of the JKA, published his opus, Dynamic Karate, a lavishly illustrated textbook.
Inspired by Master Nakayama, he headed for England to train with Keinosuke Enoeda, one of the fiercest of JKA Instructors. It was an eye- opening experience for him.
When he returned to Guyana, Mr. Woon-A- Tai cemented his association with the JKA. He contacted Teruyuki Okazaki, a ninth dan, one of the JKA’s most senior instructors, who resides in the United States. The association continues down to today. It is a relationship that he cherishes. Mr. Woon-A- Tai has great respect for Master Okazaki, whom he calls his instructor.
The Deputy Mayor opined that as an instructor, Mr. Woon-A- Tai’s personality and expertise combine to make him a gifted teacher. He has the ability to work with others, because of his willingness to listen.
It was stated that by the time he moved to Canada in 1980, Mr. Woon-A- Tai had left his mark in the Caribbean and continued to display a passion for the development of the sport and youths in Guyana.
The afternoon’s proceedings also included the presentation of certificates to sixty Karatekas from the Guyana Karate College who just successfully concluded their grading examinations under the watchful eye of Master Woon-a-Tai.
Among those excelling were John McGrath, Aaron Josiah and Damien Munroe who skipped the yellow belt and went from white to orange and moving up from 9th kyu to 7th kyu.
Tyler Orderson, Mickelly Rahaman Keisha Beharry, Accalia Khan, Alyssa Persaud and, who skipped orange belt and went from yellow belt to green belt and from 8th kyu to 6th kyu.
Kevin Kellman and Roland Fanfair advanced from 7th kyu to 5th kyu and from orange belt to 1st purple belt skipping green belt in the process. Amber Low moved from 2nd purple belt to 2nd brown belt, skipping 1st purple belt, and she also advanced from 4th kyu to 2nd kyu.
Tanya Teixiera advanced from 3rd kyu to 1st kyu and moved from 3rd brown belt to 1st brown belt skipping 2nd brown belt in the process.
Eric Hing, received his second degree certificate whilst instructors Dr. Guy Low and Chetram Mortley received their third degree certificates.

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