History

History of Shotokan Karate in Guyana

March 2013 marks the 45^th Anniversary of the most vibrant karate association in Guyana; the former Guyana Japan Karate Association (JKA) now operating as the Guyana Karate College (GKC). The story of the birth and development of this organisation speaks much for the perseverance and dedication of a few pioneers, and in particular, Frank Woon-A-Tai who almost single handed held it all together during severe adverse circumstances. The Guyana branch has proven itself to be a worthy member of the worldwide traditional karate family by weathering many storms and emerging stronger after each experience in its glorious history.

In 1964, Frank Woon-A-Tai at the age of 14 became interested in karate and together with a few of his young friends commenced training with the help of books on karate acquired with great difficulty. Frank led the group and thirst for further knowledge.

Frank Woon-A-Tai. 1964

In 1966, Frank joined a club headed by Kenneth Ng Chee that trained first, at the Bookers Sports Club, and later, at Ng Chee’s residence on Broad Street. However, when Ng Chee married, the club broke up. Members were Frank, Roy Low, Stanislaus Allison, Augustus Woolford and Stephen Monasingh.

L to R: Kenneth Ng Chee, Frank Woon-A-Tai, Roy Low. 1968

Frank then joined a club at the Taitt dance studio in Murray Street taught by a Venezuelan instructor. After the instructor returned to Venezuela, Frank formed his own dojo in March 1968. Frank selected eleven other members to form his first dojo. It was from this small group of twelve that the JKA of Guyana was born.

At first, the club trained in the garage of Kenny Ching’s residence in fifth Street. It soon outgrew there and then moved to Unity House in 1970. During the same year, it moved once more to the Archbishop’s residence in Kingston. In 1973, it moved to a building in Queen Street, Tiger Bay, and finally, to the YMCA, Thomas Lands where it has remained to this day. The GKC trains at the Malteenoes Sports Club.

During the 60s, karate was not very popular in Guyana and so there was no one around to assist the group with much needed technical information. After a while the members saw the need for them to widen their exposure and for that purpose Frank travelled to Suriname in 1970 to study under the instructors there. He was graded shodan by a Surinamese instructor and on his return the club was opened to the public. Membership grew slowly as karate was still new to the society. One of the new members, Anthony Gomes, who had studied karate while in England, encouraged Frank to travel there for instruction under the masters there. Thus, Frank visited England in August 1970 and studied under Masters Keinosuke Enoeda and Sensei Kato. In England, he got his first real taste of what International karate was really about and found to his chagrin that his shodan was not recognised and, his examiner's credentials were not recognised Internationally either. He also learnt that there was much to learn in terms of technical instructions and discipline that the JKA provided.

When Frank returned from England, it was decided to make contact with overseas clubs that were already well established and a visit from instructor David Chin-Leung of Trinidad was arranged in March 1971. Through Chin-Leung, Frank was able to make contact with Master Teruyuki Okazaki and arranged for him to conduct grading examinations in Guyana.

Frank was determined to improve his technical knowledge and 1971 travelled to Japan to study at the world HQ in Tokyo. This was a stint of rigid training, and in addition to regular sessions, Frank enrolled for special training under Sensei Mikiyo Yahara, then 3^rd Dan. He  was in karate heaven and trained with the world's greatest masters. At his first examination he was awarded the rank of 3^rd kyu by Master Hirokasu Kanazawa and two days later, received shodan (First degree black belt) from Master Takahashi. It must be borne in mind that these visits to foreign countries were done during the formative years of his club (dojo) and that they were made under difficult circumstances – both financially and otherwise. The members of the dojo assisted greatly in organising fund raising activities, but Frank endured a great deal of financial and personal sacrifices; such was his commitment.

Frank’s returned from Japan marked a turning point in the dojo’s history. Now acquainted with the JKA system of traditional karate, he introduced it to the members. Having established contacts with the JKA, the members were now anxious to strengthen the relationship and to this end a five-man team travelled to Trinidad for training under Masters Hidekaka Nishiyama and Teruyuki Okazaki who were on a short visit to that country in September 1971.

Arrangements were made for Master Okazaki to visit Guyana to conduct examination the following year and Frank was appointed the JKA representative in Guyana.

The study of Karate in Guyana received the well needed boost. From that point on there was no grouping in the dark or uncertainty about the future. The dojo achieved the recognition from the highest level and was now supported by the members who were excited about the prospect of acquiring ranks, which would be recognised in all countries where the JKA existed – virtually the whole of karate. The long hard years were not wasted.

Following the initiative takes in Trinidad 1971 Master Okazaki visited Guyana and examined 85 students at the Legionaries Hall, Georgetown in March 1972. He returned in July of the same year and examined 86 students and from there on visits of Japanese Masters were organised on a regular basis to conduct training sessions and examinations.

Standards improved dramatically as the students who were promoted worked harder to achieve higher grades. The instructors who visited Guyana during this period were Masters Teruyuki Okazaki, Shigeru Takashina and Yutaka Yaguchi, and the students gained immensely from the clinics that were conducted during these visits. In fact since 1972, Master Okazaki has been visiting Guyana every year to conduct examination and his visits are looked forward eagerly by all students especially the seniors.

In May 1973 Frank was graded nidan (2^nd degree black belt) at the JKA summer camp in Philadelphia, USA by Master Okazaki and in November of that year he participated in the First Pan American Karate Tournament held in Brazil. In August, Anthony Gomes became the first student to be awarded shodan in Guyana by Master Shigeru Takashina.

More achievements followed when in February 1974, Master Okazaki awarded shodans to Keith Da Costa, Maureen Da Costa and Kenneth Ng Chee – the first batch of locally trained black belt holders. It was indeed a proud moment for all three who were members of the original group of 12 pioneers that were in training since 1968. Later in May 1974, Charles Woon-A-Tai and Stephen Embrack were awarded the coveted shodan.

L to R: Keith DaCosta, Maureen Da Costa, Kenneth Ng Chee. Archbishop's Residence. 1974

Having received recognition at the highest international level and with the increase in membership, the senior members of the dojo realized that it was very important to upgrade and broaden their new skills. In June 1974, Frank married Maureen Da Costa in the first ever karate wedding at the Sacred Heart Church in Main Street. They attended an instructor’s Summer Camp in the USA as part of their honeymoon.

In 1974, the Guyana Karate Federation was formed and Frank was elected President. It was the first national federation, which comprised of all karate styles and associations.

L to R: Winston Dunbar and Alex Waith - Wado-ryu, Stephen Monasingh - Kyokushin, Frank Woon-A-Tai - JKA Shotokan

Frank Woon-A-Tai receives the William's Bakery Trophy for the GKF while Dennis Forde-Singh, left and Wnnston Dunbar, right look on. 1975

Karate had gained much popularity in the country and the JKA’s First Championship Tournament was held in September 1974. Local karate-kas considered it an  honour that the tournament was attended by the Great Master Masatoshi Nakayama, who was the head of the JKA worldwide and who was accompanied by Master Teruyuki Okazaki and Master Yukichi Tabata.

L to R: F. Woon-A-Tai and Masters Okazaki, Nakayama and Tabata. Legionaires's Hall, Georgetown. 1974

This was a period of consolidation and growth for the JKA whose senior members were also participating at International tournaments. One such tournament was the Second Pan American Karate Championship held in Peru in December 1974. The JKA team comprised of Frank and Charles Woon-A-Tai, Keith DaCosta, Kenneth Ng Chee, Steven Embrack and Anthony Woolford. In the team Kata, Guyana placed second behind Brazil who place first, and Frank placed fifth in the individual kata competition.

L to R: A. Woolford, F. Woon-A-Tai, Master Richard Kim, K. Da Costa, K. Ng Chee, C. Woon-A-Tai, S. Embrack. Lima, Peru. 1974

In 1975, the association entered a team in the IAKF World tournament in Los Angeles, USA. This team was made up of Frank, Maureen, and Charles Woon-A-Tai, Keith Da Costa, Steven Embrack, Kenneth Ng Chee, L. Brummell from Linden, and Winston Dunbar of Wado-ryu. The tournament attracted entrants from 52 countries and Frank placed 7^th in the individual kata event, while his Maureen placed 6^th in the female individual kata event. Frank finished 1975 on a high note by gaining his third degree black belt from Master Okazaki in Philadelphia, USA in December of that year.

In 1976, Frank accepted an invitation from from his administrative mentor, Anthony Gomes who had moved to Jamaica to manage JKA clubs there. He was succeeded as head of the Guyana JKA by Keith Da Costa, 2^nd degree black belt.

In 1977 Frank represented Guyana at the Second IAKF World Tournament in Japan without any success.

As head of the Guyana JKA, Keith maintained the high level set by his predecessor and represented Guyana in karate teams both as a judge and coach in JKA Caribbean Championships in 1976, 1978 and 1980.

In 1976, at the First JKA Caribbean Championships in Trinidad, the Guyana team placed second in both team kata and team kumite. A member of the team, Lanceford Cumberbatch placed second in the individual Kumite.

In 1978, at Second JKA Caribbean Championships in Guyana, Guyana placed third in both team kata and kumite. In the individual kata event, Roy Low placed third and George Hannays won the individual kumite event. In 1980 in Jamaica, Guyana again placed third in both team kata and kumite. During Frank's tenure in Jamaica, the Jamaicans dominated the Caribbean in tournaments.

The period 1976 to 1980 saw a decline in the growth of the JKA. The country was going through economic difficulties and senior members began migrating to other countries. It was also very difficult to finance overseas tournaments and membership fell away for a variety of reasons. It seemed that the association’s with unbelievable energy was wasting away. However, Frank made annual visits from Jamaica to ensure what he founded was preserved.

In 1982, there was change of leadership, and Charles Woon-A-Tai, 3^rd Dan was made chairman with Keith, his deputy. Charles gained his 4^th degree in 1984 and since 1980 has been attending summer Camps organized by Master Teruyuki Okazaki every year in Philadelphia, USA.

During the mid-eighties there was a new build up of membership and in the 1986, the Guyana Karate Federation’s First Senior National Championships, JKA members won 19 out of 22 trophies.Earlier in 1986, dojos of the JKA came together with dojos of other styles to re-form the National Federation – the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) Charles, the JKA chairman was elected as the Federation's President for 1986-87 and other JKA members held senior posts on the executive of the GKF. During elections held in January 1988 Charles was returned as President for 1988-89 and there are three other JKA members out of the six Executive officers of the Association.

Charles Woon-A-Tai receives the Medal of Service from His Excellency President Cheddie Jagan. 1994

During 1987 JKA members again dominated the Second Senior National Karate Championships of Guyana and in April 1988, a thirteen member team travelled to Suriname to participate in an International Karate Championships attended by four countries. The Guyana Team won three of five events with national kata champion Amir Khouri (1986 & 1987) winning the men’s individual kata event. As well, the national women’s kata and kumite Champion, Denise Jonas, defeated all to win both the women’s kata and kumite events. The JKA was once again set to recapture the glory days of the early and mid-seventies.

In 1989, the JKA hosted the JKA/ISKF Pan American Karate Championships in November. Masters Nakayama and Okazaki were in attendance.

Master Nakayama defends against F. Woon-A-Tai's bear hug. Sports Hall. 1989

It is estimated that there are over 15,000 Guyanese from all walks of life have benefited from their training with the GKC (JKA) not to mention many more who have immigrated. These figures may seem small, but when one considers that the country’s population of about 750,000 people, the degree of the impact made by the JKA in Guyanese society is better appreciated.

From the original group of twelve, two are still active in the association’s affairs – Chairman Charles Woon-A-Tai and Vice Chairman Keith Da Costa. Charles is a successful businessman who has brought much managerial and administrative skills as Chairman, and his dedication to karate and loyalty to the JKA are well known. Keith is a full time karate instructor and his flair for organizational functions cannot be easily matched.

Throughout the years, in good times or bad, Frank made it his mission to return to Guyana once or twice per year to continue his legacy.

End of the first 25 years. Under construction...to be continued.