Latest update November 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
Sixteen Berbicians successful at karate exam; move on to new levels
Sensei Hazrat Ali with his new graduates at the Albion Sports Complex
By Leon Suseran
Sixteen Karate students graduated last Saturday and moved on to higher levels ranging from Yellow all the way to Last Brown. Among them was one student who is now one step closer to Black Belt. The graduation took place at the Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne. The graduation was as a result of the students being successful in an examination which was held in November last year.
Two students shared their thoughts about the graduation. Abzal Rahim was elated to have moved on to another level. He is a First kyu Brown Belt and outlined the benefits of the sport. “It feels nice because my next exam will be First Dan”, he stated. The next level, he stated, will get more difficult “…more techniques, more combinations and more stamina will be needed”. He stated, too, that he loves karate for many reasons. “It helps you defend yourself—it’s a self- defence art and makes you a better person and it keeps your body very healthy.”
He also encouraged others to come on board and join the classes to gain skills in the sport. “I would encourage others to come on board because it’s [karate] very good to the health and people who are health conscious would realize this…it is good for the body and it will help you defend yourself whenever a situation arises.”
Another student, Rosalf Sookdeo, was also elated. She has moved up from Last Purple to Third Brown and “as usual, all of the students in the class have done pretty well and they have all moved up in ranks and the class has gotten bigger too and again, I want to encourage people to come and do karate. It’s a wonderful sport and it will fit well in your schedule and its fun.” Just two more Brown Belts stand in her way to achieve the much- coveted Black Belt.
“This is the time when, as the rank gets higher, you have to learn more techniques and you have to develop more stamina and be regular in training because as higher as you go, then you get into the actual fighting and learn how to really defend yourself—this is when karate really starts…when you are heading towards Black Belt. It doesn’t end there. Karate is a lifetime—it’s a lifelong sport”, she posited. She loves the sport because, “…it’s fun…and it brings me out and expresses a part of me that I didn’t know I ever had and I am usually a very quiet person but karate is just ‘Wow!’ I am out there, doing my thing and it’s like a different person altogether and it helps you a lot with bullying.”
Fourth Degree Black Belt, Sensei Hazrat Ali, who trained the students, made a call for more students. He noted that there are classes on Mondays and Fridays from 4:30-6:00pm. He can be contacted at 322-3085. “Karate has done tremendously for the kids in this area and it [karate] limits violence and other things…so come and join and you will enjoy it,” he said. Classes are also held at Trinity Street, New Amsterdam. The next exam is scheduled for Georgetown at the YMCA, Thomas Lands.
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