Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
Six assessed as Karate Grading Exercise successfully held in New Amsterdam
After more than two decades, Karatekas in Berbice had the opportunity to be assessed in their hometown when the head of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) travelled to the Ancient County to conduct grading exercises which were held on Sunday 24th August at the Trinity Street Primary School in New Amsterdam.
Senseis Khouri, Moriah and Ali are flanked by the newly promoted karatekas at the Trinity Street Dojo in New Amsterdam.
At the exercise, six Berbicians who are all first timers were assessed by Head of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) and, Chief Instructor of the Association do Shotokan Karate – 6th Dan black belt Sensei Amir Khouri . Sensei Khouri was assisted by local instructors – 5th Dan Black Belt Sensei Clinton Moriah and 4th Dan Hazrat Ali. Guyana falls under the International Karate Daigaku (IKD).
The simple grading exercise was conducted in the presence of parents and guardians of the karatekas and saw, the small group display a competitive level of sparring skills and kata (karate form).
At the examination, two karatekas, Marlon Baird and Seshram Persaud did well and skipped belts – they moved from the white belts to orange belts (7 Kyu). One participant received the full rank of orange belt (7 Kyu), while three others gained green belts (6 Kyu).
Speaking with the media after the activity, Sensei Khouri noted that the group had missed the major grading exercise held on the August 1stin Georgetown which was conducted by Master Frank Woon-A-Tai. He said that it is the objective of the IKD to ensure that all karatekas have the opportunity to be graded and be promoted to a higher rank.
He stated that, “Although they are only six in number, they do play a major role in the development of karate-do.”
One of the ideas behind the programme is the GKC wants to promote the disciplined art of fighting by encouraging youngsters to work at their own pace in the ancient art and to develop modern strategies in conducting training sessions and practical examinations.
Training sessions are held at two locations in Berbice. In New Amsterdam sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 16:30 – 18:00 at the Trinity Street Primary School by long serving Sensei Clinton Moriah. Over at the Albion Community Centre sessions are conducted by Hazrat Ali on Tuesdays and on weekends during the same hours. Interested persons can contact Clinton Moriah on cell phone number – 668-4297.
The next major grading exercise will be conducted in November at the YMCA Hall, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown by Master Frank Woon-A-Tai.
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