Thirteen martial arts students have passed rigorous testing and training at the CNMI Self-Defense Force Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo to advance to the next level.
Black belt Sensei Danny Vanez promoted 12 blue belts to yellow belt with assistance from brown belts Eric Atalig and Ivor James Rills. Michaela Louis Gimeroy Yan, 13 years old. Joseph Michael Yue Yang, 7 years old. William Guo, 12 years old. Wilson Guo, 10 years old. Willy Guo, 9 years old. Daniel Guo, Dennis Guo, 10 years old. Colin Liles, 8 years old. John Riley Austin, 15 years old. Spencer K. Floyd; Daniel A. Clarson, 29, also moved up from yellow belt to green belt.
Martial arts students are excited about their promotion and one of them wins gold medal at World Karate Association Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship 2023 held at Airan Academy Gymnasium in Dededo, Guam Last year's champion, Diaz.
“It's inspiring to see youth, teens, adults, and seniors achieve their goals in our dojo. We help students promote self-esteem, discipline, self-control, self-defense, and work together as a whole. I love watching it grow,” he said. .
The youngest of the group, Joseph Michael Yue Yang (7 years old), felt so good after winning the yellow belt that he could not contain his joy and proudly brought it to school the next day. and shared their results with their classmates.
Clarson, who held a yellow belt for 20 years after taking a hiatus from karate training at the age of nine, recently resumed training and is now a green belt.
He expressed great satisfaction in finally winning the next belt in his martial arts journey and plans to continue where he left off. Clarson also represented the CNMI at the World Karate Association Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship held on March 6, 2024, and placed third in the adult men's division.
The CNMI has established a reputation for cultivating formidable karate talent, with Banez's dojo playing a key role. So far he has produced three consecutive champions and it is clear that this dojo is becoming synonymous with producing strong fighters in the field of martial arts. Their next destination is the WKO Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championships to be held in Japan this July.
“Currently, I am preparing for the Japan International Dream Festival Karatedo Championships. I need to maintain my performance and endurance while honing my karate skills and techniques,” Diaz says.
