Three dedicated youngsters were honoured last week by Professor Don Jacob, the founder of Purple Dragon Don Jitsu Ryu System, when he presented them with their black belts at a special ceremony held at Cayman’s Purple Dragon Dojo at the Mirco Centre.

At the ceremony, Sensei Karen Baptiste and Sensei Cindy Allison were also promoted to their fourth-degree black belts. Both women also earned renchi sensei belts, marking a peak of personal achievement for them.

To gain this prestigious accolade all five black belt recipients had taken part in a grueling three day grading event in August at the Purple Dragon World Headquarters in

Trinidad, along-side 30 other black belt candidates from around the world. The ceremonial presentation of their black belts last week marked the culmination of years of dedication to improve their skills and enhance their fitness, both mentally and physically.

Sensei Floyd runs Cayman’s Purple Dragon Dojo (training hall) and explained that the youngsters were able to realise this incredible achievement at such a young age through strength of character as much as body strength. “11 year old Dante Baptiste of St Ignatius, 10 year old Luke Byles from Cayman Prep, and Joshua Kerr of Grace Academy also aged 10, demonstrated tremendous dedication and determination and we are all extremely proud of them.” he said.

“Years of commitment to training culminated in the demanding three day event in Trinidad where they were required to undertake vigorous testing, performing different drills, katas, sparring, endurance and exercise routines. The testing, which was the same

for the all the candidates, regardless of age, was as much a test of their mental will, discipline and self-confidence as it was their physical abilities and they clearly demonstrated that they were able to take on the challenges that lay ahead of them. These skills will serve them well in the future, both in the dojo and in every other aspect of their lives.”

Describing the last of the challenging three days, during which time they ate and slept together at the dojo, Luke Byles explained that “Sunday was the most exciting day to me. We woke at 4am and went on the 5 mile run. While on the run we had to stay with the team and sing chants until Professor said “go” and then we had to run as fast as we could to the end. Then we had breakfast, and then the sparring (fighting) which was very exciting. Then it was time for the results.”

Dante Baptiste added “when they called us to get our results, my friends Luke and Josh and I were called up and we got our first degree “jet black” belts. The Cayman Purple Dragon team had survived the three days of black belt grading”.

Sensei Karen and Sensei Cindy were put through the same high level of testing for the 4^th time to achieve their Fourth degree black belts. Awardee Sensei Karen Baptiste explained that all the black belt awards were the result of a combined effort by everyone at the Purple Dragon Dojo.

“Attaining the level of black belt is the culmination of an extreme amount of effort by many people. Our instructors are dedicated to our development and are instrumental in our success,” she said. “We are extremely grateful to Sensei Atonio, who put us all through an incredible 3 month training programme leading up to the black belt grading, and to all our instructors and fellow students at Purple Dragon. Thanks also to Sensei Floyd and Sensei Geddes for their continuous support, to our friends and family and especially to Professor Don Jacob, for his leadership

and continued inspiration. He and his wife also showed us all great hospitality when we were in Trinidad, for which we are very grateful”

Asked for their thoughts on their achievements, 11 year old Dante commented “I felt so happy and relieved that I made it, and that I persevered and never gave up”, while 10 year old Joshua said that “I feel I have gained a greater sense of responsibility and that that this is only the beginning of my training”. 10 year old Luke added that there were candidates grading from around the world, but that “while we were grading it’s like you are all from the same place” and that they all made several friends from other countries.

Sensei Floyd applauded everyone who managed to achieve such a high accolade and confirmed that they are truly representative of the Purple Dragon theme for the grading: “We Are Purple Dragon: No Artificiality, Only Originality”.

“At Purple Dragon we challenge our members to show tremendous dedication and spirit and to stand out positively to help better their lives. I believe that these five individuals have demonstrated these virtues. Well done to everyone for their hard work that they undertook to develop their mental and physical stamina to such great lengths.”

For more information about the Purple Dragon Martial Arts programmes you can call 946-1241, email: [email protected] , visit www.purple-dragon.com or www.facebook/purpledragoncayman