Businessmen Clifford Reis and Courtney Benn were both honoured by the Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association (GWRKA) at a simple ceremony held at the Banks DIH Sports Club last Saturday.
Both Reis and Benn, chairman and managing director of Banks DIH and Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited respectively, were given honorary grades by the GWRKA for their sterling contributions towards the sport of Wado Ryu karate as well as to the club.
Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters received the awards on behalf of Reis while young Alicia Bacchus accepted the honours on behalf of Benn.
Chairman of the evening’s proceedings Carwyn Holland in his brief remarks highlighted the achievements of the GWRKA over the past year and listed some of the association’s plans for 2009.
“The GWRKA has had a successful 2008 with an increase in its membership. We have seen the opening of several clubs, including the fast growing Tuschen Wado Ryu Academy. In January, clubs are expected to be opened in Linden and Berbice followed by an exchange programme with international clubs and a national Wado Ryu karate championship.”
The GWRKA also staged two grading exams and several karatekas were successful with Darren Nurse who also holds the portfolio of president of the GWRKA, topping the list with a first Dan grading.
Orin Edghill along with siblings Kayal and Shahab Mohammed are soon to be upgraded to Shodan.
Grading exams were also held at the newly-formed Tuschen Academy where 11 students were graded and seven got yellow belts while the other four got green belts.
Those receiving yellow belts were Joel Codrington, Saudia Shamshun, Davie Sukar, Farina Fung-Fook, Ashana Singh and Akeem Paul, whilst Alex Fung-Fook, Kenroy Simmons, Robin Lall and Sevanand Doodnauth were rewarded with green belts.
