11 new Kyokushin karate black belt holders promoted |13 October 2022
The new black belt holders in a souvenir photo with Shihan Verghese, Shihan Philip and Shihan Françoise
Last Saturday, 11 members of the Kyokushin Ryu Karate School entered the karate history books when they were promoted in grades.
Two of them were promoted to the rank of 6th dan (Rokudan) black belt while the other nine were promoted to 1st dan (Shodan). Among the nine Shodans were Seychelles’ first ever twins to be promoted to the black belt level.
Nine students underwent a gruelling four-hour black belt grading session at the Young Lions Dojo at Belonie. Parents and dojo colleagues had turned up to witness as well as cheer them on during the event.
At the end of the grading, Vince Ernesta, Dyrian Dupres, Samuel Cedras, Elijah Gedeon, Kavish Gunatikale, Emilio Richemond, Adrianna Richemond, Tina Hoarau and Nicholas Florentine were subsequently promoted to the grade of 1st dan (Shodan) black belt.
The grading session was conducted by the International Karate Alliance (IKA) technical director and continental director for Africa, Shihan Phillip Moustache 7th dan with the assistance of Shihans Phillip Verghese and Francis Françoise, both 5th dan presiding as grading Officers.
During the grading, the karatekas were required to demonstrate all the basic and advanced techniques of Kyokushin karate which includes Ido Kihon (standing basics), Ido Geiko (moving basics), Renraku (combinations) and Kata (forms). They had to perform numerous strength and endurance exercises as part of the stamina assessment. The students were required to perform katas up to the grade they were attempting and prior to the grading, they all had to do a theory exam.
The hardest part of the grading was undoubtedly Kumite (fighting) where the students had to fight 21 opponents with all the fights being conducted under the IKA’s full contact rules. Their opponents included the three Shihans and some of the school’s best black belt fighters. They were cheered on by the large crowd of spectators who had turned up to witness the event. All the members aptly demonstrated Kyokushin’s unique philosophy of the ‘Spirit of Osu’ which requires them to persevere beyond one’s limit and by the end of the fights, all nine karatekas were still standing strong.
At the end of the grading, Shihan Moustache informed the nine karatekas that they had succeeded in their grading exam and promoted them to the rank of 1st dan with the title of Sempai. Adrianna and Emilio Richemond made history by becoming Seychelles’ first twins to be promoted to the rank of black belt. They also happen to be the only black belt twins in the IKA organisation worldwide.
Meanwhile, Shihan Philip Verghese and Shihan Françoise who were last graded 10 years ago in Reunion, were promoted to the rank of 6th dan black belt.
During the past three years, they were being assessed by Shihan Moustache and their grading was approved by Kancho Peter Chong 9th dan, the head of the IKA organisation.
The school is the only one on the continent with three highly graded Shihans. The eleven karatekas were presented with their belts, certificates and black belt cards at the end of the grading exam.
Following the gradings, the number of Kyokushin Ryu registered black belts in Seychelles has climbed to 74, the highest number of Kyokushin black belts in the region. Gradings for the lower Kyu belts will continue during this month.
Congratulations to the 11 newly promoted black belt holders.
Contributed
