Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo promotes 13
Thirteen martial arts students advanced to the next level after passing rigorous tests and training at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense-Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo.
Black belt sensei Danny Banez, assisted by brown belts Eric Atalig and Iver James Lilles, promoted 12 blue belts to yellow belt, namely Sheryne Rui Guimeroy Yang, 16; Michaela Rui Guimeroy Yang, 13; Josef Michael Yue Yang, 7; William Guo, 12; Wilson Guo, 10; Willie Guo, 9; Daniel Guo, Dennis Guo, 10; Colin Lilles, 8; John Riley Austin, 15; Spencer K. Floyd; 47, and Jerry Diaz, 31. Daniel A. Chlarson, 29, also moved up from yellow belt to green belt.
The martial arts students are excited about their promotion, one of them is last year’s champion Diaz who won gold in the World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship 2023 at the Ilearn Academy Gymnasium in Dededo, Guam.
“Seeing our youth, teens, adults, and seniors accomplish their goals at our dojo is inspiring. I love seeing the students grow together as a whole, promoting self-respect, discipline, self-control, and self-defense,” he said.
The youngest student in the group, Josef Michael Yue Yang, 7, felt so good and couldn’t contain his joy after earning his yellow belt that he proudly brought the belt to school the next day to share his achievement with his classmates.
Chlarson, who had his yellow belt for two decades after pausing his karate training at the age of 9, recently resumed his practice and now has a green belt to show for it.
He expressed immense satisfaction in finally attaining the next belt in his martial arts journey and plans to continue where he left off. Chlarson has also represented the CNMI at the World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship last April 6, 2024, and has placed third in the adult men’s division.
The CNMI is carving out a reputation for fostering formidable karate talent, with Banez’s dojo playing a key role. Boasting three back-to-back champions to date, it’s clear that the dojo is becoming synonymous with producing strong fighters in the martial arts arena. Their next stop is the WKO Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship in Japan in July this year.
“Presently, I’m preparing for The Japan International Dream Festival Karate Championship. I need to maintain my performance and endurance while sharpening my karate skills and techniques,” according to Diaz.
Young martial arts students perform their kata moves during karate belt testing at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Martial arts students give their best kata moves during karate belt testing at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Black belt sensei Danny Banez presides over his students during the belt promotion ceremony at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Sensei Danny Banez presents a certificate to the newly promoted yellow belt Colin Lilles at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Jerry Diaz receives his certificate from sensei Danny Banez after being promoted to yellow belt at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Dennis Guo smiles as he receives his certificate from sensei Danny Banez after being promoted to yellow belt at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
Sensei Danny Banez poses for a photo with his students during the promotion ceremony at the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense.
-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
