The Cayman Associated School of Karate’s youngsters took another step towards preparing themselves for international competition with another youth graduation over the weekend.
Over two graduation ceremonies, CASK saw around 80 youngsters trying for their new belts at the Kings Sports Center on Saturday. Watched by admiring parents and siblings, they were all tested by chief instructor Sensei Greg Reid, an 8th dan, who created the club’s Youth Organization when he arrived from Canada eight years ago.
The graduation ceremonies were divided into two categories; white, yellow and orange belts testing first, many of whom were going for their first graduation. The first session saw a remarkable increase in the children’s technical ability. Children in the junior graduation had an oral exam in the history of karate and a Japanese terminology test.
They were then tested on physical fitness, kihon (basics), kata (forms) and goshin (self defense).
The second graduation was for the higher level green, blue and brown belts. The senior group have worked at a much higher level of training, with the emphasis on elite athletic karate practice.
Several of the junior black and brown belts assisted with the graduation by demonstrating and setting an example for the other children.
This program has 14 levels of certification that youngsters can attain as they develop themselves physically, mentally and spiritually towards their junior black belts.
“We continue to see a high level being achieved by our local karate students as we prepare them for future World Karate Federation and World United karate Organization World Championships,” said Sensei Reid.
CASK teaches Wado Karate, which is one of four legitimate and recognized styles of Karate worldwide. The school is a member of Wado Canada, ISKF, WUKO, and CIKF. The Cayman Islands Karate Federation is the only recognized federation in the Cayman Islands affiliated to the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee.
Throughout 2014, CASK is hosting a series of high-level sport karate seminars, focused on developing the young athletes’ physical and mental abilities to prepare them for sport competition on an international level.
These high performance seminars will use various types of training including plyometric, bag and pad targeting, kata and kumite (sparring) mental and physical preparation.
Reid was particularly impressed with the improvement of Maggie McLean and her brother Thomas who have both advanced to blue belt.
“Technically, Maggie has improved tremendously,” he said. “She initially trained once a week and is now practicing three times weekly. She is disciplined, dedicated and motivated. She will make a great junior black belt as she progresses.”
Robbie Rutkowski is one of the club’s star athletes. He achieved the black belt second degree exam in December. “Robbie, Tamika Cox and Jaedyn Hanna are three of our only juniors holding that rank,” Reid said. “Robbie continues to improve and set a high standard for the juniors to follow. He loves karate and it has made him more confident and focused.”
Hanna has been training the longest in the entire Youth Organization.
Rachel Gabato is a brown belt who trains with the junior classes and the women’s classes, who Reid says, has become stronger and her work ethic continues to improve.
Tyler Dunn has just got his brown belt and is following his brother Kiron’s lead as a first degree black belt. “Tyler is young but fearless and looks up to his older brother,” said Reid. “He often trains double classes which is fantastic for someone so young.
“Kiron has a non-stop work ethic, is disciplined, well mannered and improving daily.”
Reid also likes the attitude of Charlie Thomas, a junior brown belt, who is very helpful in class.
The three Frey sisters are also excelling at CASK. Olivia Frey is inspired by her older sister Alexis who is a senior brown belt and Olivia passes on tips to her younger sister Sophia who achieved her brown belt at the grad.
“Olivia is relentless and trains a minimum of six hours a week, she is technically very high level and a great asset to our program,” said Reid. “She helps all the younger kids with their practice.”
Reid is also pleased with the progress of Cesar Ramos who has just turned brown belt. An extremely hard worker, Ramos is noted for helping the younger kids. All three Ramos children train at CASK. Sydni Ebanks got her brown belt on Saturday and like many, she is dedicated, disciplined and has a great work ethic.
“The next graduation is in June and the Youth Organization is well on schedule technically to pass all my expectations,” said Reid. “CASK Karate is focused on continually developing the sport’s highest standard of training in the Caribbean.”
For more information about CASK, visit www.caskcayman.com or call 925-3367.
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