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GKC honours five new International Black Belt awardees
Kaieteur Sports – In a momentous ceremony held yesterday at the National Racquet Centre in Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, five accomplished members of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) were awarded prestigious International Black Belt diplomas. The event, spearheaded by the esteemed Chief Instructor of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD), Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, M.S. 9th Dan, marked a significant milestone in the recipients’ martial arts journey.
The awardees, namely David Hacket, Gobin Kumar, Balran Dass, Shawn Jemmott, Jayen Persaud, and the young prodigy Azari Samuels, were presented with their well-deserved diplomas along with personalized black belts, signifying their expertise and dedication to the art of Karate.
Master Frank Woon-A-Tai seated (2nd from left) shares photo with Black Belt awardees in the presences of GKC officials.
Frank Woon-A-Tai, a prominent figure in the world of martial arts, delivered an inspiring speech during the ceremony. Having a Guyanese heritage himself, Karate Master Woon-A-Tai holds several esteemed roles within the karate community. He serves as the Chief Instructor of IKD (Guyana), President of the Caribbean Karate College, Chairman of the GKC, as well as Chairman and Chief Instructor of the IKD in Canada. His profound influence and expertise in the field make him an exemplary mentor for the awardees and aspiring karate practitioners.
Young Azari Samuels receives his certificate from Shuseki Shihan Woon-A-Tai.
Woon-A-Tai’s own journey to the esteemed rank of a Black Belt commenced in Guyana, and culminates in Japan in 1971, when he achieved this prestigious honour at the Mecca of Karate – the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Head Quarters in Tokyo. His remarkable achievement marked a milestone not only for himself but also for his homeland, as he became the first and only Guyanese to receive such recognition directly from Japan.
The ceremony was not merely about conferring accolades; Woon-A-Tai also took the opportunity to impart valuable insights into the path of becoming a Black Belt. He shared his gratitude for being able to teach this revered discipline in more than 62 countries worldwide. His dedication to spreading the teachings of Karate across the globe has been an inspiration to many.
Black Belt awardee, David Hacket (center) demonstrates his acquired skills at yesterday’s presentation
As the event progressed, Woon-A-Tai commended the five karate practitioners on their remarkable achievements and urged them to continue their journey with diligence and passion. With a sense of pride and admiration, he personally issued the symbolic belts to each awardee, signifying the responsibility and honour that comes with the Black Belt rank.
In an exciting announcement during the presentation, it was revealed that the Guyana Karate College (GKC)/ International Budokan Dojo is currently 95 percent completed and is set to host the prestigious Karate World Cup next year. The tournament is expected to draw over 800 participants from various corners of the world to compete on the very soil of Guyana. The GKC, under the guidance of Sensei Frank Woon-A-Tai, continues to foster the growth of karate across the globe, his contribution to this sport discipline will definitely leave an indelible mark on the world stage with the upcoming Karate World Cup.
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