By Tiadi Blair

The Guyana Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Academy will host its third annual Open Martial Arts Tournament exhibiting the art at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow.

The event is being organized by Sensei Troy Bobb who has eight of his own dojos taking part alongside delegates from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Professor Christopher Francis has flown in from Trinidad and Tobago for the tournament while the Barbadian representatives are Sifu Altab Azizz, Sifu Anwar Azizz and Professor John Prescod.

Head of the Barbadian contingent Prescod is the chief instructor at the Bajan Jitsu Academy in Barbados and numerous other organisations involved in the expansion of the ancient art.

Stabroek Sport was able to speak with the man himself who gave an insight on the state of karate in Barbados. He referred to the sport as ever-growing in his country and  in fact the Ministry of Education has included karate in the schools curriculum.

He added that many women do not take part due to misconceptions they have about karate but his organisation is promoting it as combat self-defence to attract more women.

“In my organisation we are trying to encourage martial arts as a skill as it helps build self-confidence levels and promotes a healthy lifestyle. It can act as a deterrent against violence and it does not change your femininity.”

The instructor is no stranger to Guyana as he involves himself in numerous martial arts clubs, namely the Guyana Martial Arts Masters Association and Guyana United Mixed Martial Arts Alliance which is open to all styles. He also runs a recently opened club in Charlestown, symbolizing his deep roots in karate in Guyana.

On the list of local invitees are Professor Christopher Novice and Fudoshinjujitsu Black Hawk Martial Arts Academy (Enmore), Master Lloyd Ramnarine and Great Diamond Martial Arts Association, Grand Master Rocky’s Fudoshinjujitsu, Coperwayler Group and Uitvlught Shotokan Karate Club.
The event commences at 10am and costs $500 for spectators.