A TOTAL of 67 karatekas were tested from 9-kyu to shodan when the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Barbados held its first grading for the year at the UCKC Martial Arts Dojo, Ursuline Convent last Saturday.
In the white to brown belt categories, everyone was successful. Renesha Lawrence, who took the test for the first time, showed outstanding form skipping the yellow belt and was promoted to orange belt. Dakoda Walkes, a purple, also skipped and was promoted to 3-kyu (brown belt). Quinn Weekes, Richard Coggin, Kaden Richards and Adam Harris were all promoted to shodan while Suleman Nana was the sole individual promoted to nidan.
The grading was conducted by Peter Warren, chief instructor of ISKF Barbados who said the overall standard was high and encouraged the students to continue to train hard.
“Karate is a lifetime endeavour and like hot water one must always have a flame under the pot otherwise it will get cold,” Warren noted.
This year ISKF International will be hosting its annual Master Camp and International Goodwill Tournament from June 8 to 15.
Instruction will be conducted by Shians Teruyuki Okazaki, Yutaka Yaguchi of the United States, Masaru Miura from Italy and Shunsuke Takahashi of Australia, along with other top ranking instructors of the technical committee.
In August, Barbados will host Shian James Field, an 8th dan from the United States who will be here to conduct a training clinic, providing a good opportunity for karatekas who are unable to attend the camps overseas.
At the recent annual general meeting of the federation, Warren was elected as chief instructor with Grantley Barrow as president. Others elected were Simon Walker (vice president), Karen Downie (secretary), Pierre Tatem (assistant secretary), Deborah Lowe (treasurer), Margarette Clarke (assistant treasurer) and Julie Gardier (club representative). (EZS)
Back row from left: Chief Instructor Peter Warren, Grantley Barrow, Simon Walker, Pierre Tatem. Front row from left: Deborah Lowe, Karen Downie, Margarette Clarke, Julie Gardier.
