MAKING A MARK!

KARATE kid Stan Szecowka has followed in the footsteps of his Sensei’s son to become the youngest pupil in the Gulf to gain a black belt from Japan whilst a sixth grader at St Christopher’s School.

Sammy Eshehawi made headline news when he reached the impressive level in the martial art at the tender age of 11 and little Stan managed to slip ahead of him and secure the belt at the age of 10.

Sammy’s proud father, Ehab, the Japan Karate Association Bahrain’s chief instructor, was delighted to record the latest success which was also mirrored by three other young karate enthusiasts, Riddhilman Mehra, 11, Nyasa Goel, 11, and Dhruv Kotecha, 13, who have all been training intensively in the art for more than four years.

They received their prize belts at a ceremony at the JKA Bahrain dojo (training hall) at Habitat Garden, off Budaiya Highway in front of Sensei Ehab and fellow instructors, Sensei Rajab Al Blushi and Sensei Edgar C Kapawen Jr. Sensei Walid Omeish and Sensei Karen Coureau also played a pivotal part in their training.

“Karate has taught them all to respect others and themselves,” said Sensei Ehab, deputy CEO at one of the local banks in Bahrain. “Karate has empowered these children, giving them self-confidence – that is the teaching of a true martial art.

“I must also add that Stan and other students competed in the JKA Gulf tournament in Kuwait last year and attended JKA camps in 2009 and 2010 where they were mentored by visiting Japanese Masters from JKA headquarters in Japan.”

The testing was conducted over two hours and the candidates had to display a comprehensive series of basic and advanced techniques, and genuine knowledge of karate.

After each training session students recite the following words: ‘seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavour, respect others and refrain from violent behaviour’.

In karate, achieving the first black belt is only the beginning of a lifetime of learning ... they will always be students trying to improve, on the inside and out. Little Stan, whose dad (the rather larger Stan) is editor of GulfWeekly, said: “I love karate and it’s a great way to stay fit and focused.”

Mum Kathryn, added: “He may boast a six pack but he’s still my little boy!”

Sammy, now 13, is continuing with his karate after a foot injury forced him to take a break from sport and his contagious enthusiasm inspires young members of the dojo.