Great Rift club sets sights on glory

Canadian Thomas Hodgson (right) demonstrates taekwondo skills with Aggrey Rono at Champion Taekwondo Dojo Club in Kerio Valley on July 10, 2016. The ceremony saw 120 youngsters graduate with black belt.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Canadian champion Grand Master Luke optimistic region can produce world-conquering stars
  • The youngsters graduated at the state-of-art taekwondo gym established four years ago after almost four years of training, and Luke believes the future is bright.

After making history with one of the largest mass-graduations of coloured and black belt holders this month, Champion Taekwondo Dojo Club in Kerio Valley has set its sights on nurturing future stars.

Early this month, Grand Master Victor Luke, a Canadian taekwondo champion who helped establish the Kerio Dojo four years ago, was in the country to witness 120 youngsters being awarded black belt, the pinnacle of taekwondo success.

The youngsters graduated at the state-of-art taekwondo gym established four years ago after almost four years of training, and Luke believes the future is bright.

“This facility has laid a foundation for the grooming of future Olympic competitors and winners from Kenya. It warms my heart greatly to have been part of the team that have brought the beautiful sport to Kerio Valley,” Master Luke said after administering the Black Belt Oath to the youngsters.

“You are very special and should be proud of what you have accomplished today. The future of this sport in the country is bright,” he added.

Close to 400 children and 20 adults had turned up for the two-day qualification exercise at Kenya Fluorspar Company’s picturesque sports grounds.

120 BLACK GOT BELT

At the end of the day, 120 students aged between 11 to 14 were awarded black belts and more than 300 children aged between five and 11 years also qualified for various coloured belts.

Their tough two-day qualification exercise started with a 10-kilometre run which they had to completed under 45 minutes.

Black-belt hopefuls were then pushed to the limit, enduring more than 150 push-ups before performing various kicks with speed and power, self defence exercises and spurring sessions.

Kenya Fluorspar chairman, Charles Field-Marsham, himself a black belt who built and equipped the dojo, said the sport instils discipline, self-respect and honour among sportsmen.

Youngsters Aggrey Kiprono and Charles Sceva who graduated with black belts will take over the running of the gym after completing further training in South Korea. The club has posted impressive results in many local championships.