Naseem Begam and Kirtan Shah were the youngest Tae Kwondo players to be graded to a 6th blue belter during the Uasin Gishu County Grading ceremony held at the University of Eldoret (UOE).
Begam 6 and Shah 8 were among the 16 players who upgraded into new cadre under instructor and black belter Jackton Ratanga, the founder of martial art in the North Rift Region.
The class three and five pupils at Gulab Lochab Academy all were graded to 6th blue belter where the event attracted 16 players, six women and 10 men.
Ratanga said the grading is a normal exercise where individuals are taken for a test, with participants demonstrating basics in stances, blocks, kicks and a way of doing it.
Ratanga, the founder of martial art in the region said the grading is good for players who want to progress in their career.
“it was a successful the participants shows the moves like poomsesla (the pattern movements that is performed facing different directions in application of kicks and blocks in an assumption of fighting many people), self defence technics,” said Ratanga.
Ratanga started the martial art in the region and on Saturday, he brought together five clubs, including schools both primary, secondary and tertiary educational areas.
They also showcased Gyorugi skills, the fighting styles which is applied in competitions or while fighting in a competition.
The 16 came from hosts UOE, Gulab Lochab, Moiben Boys, Eldoret Stima and Step Gym all based in Eldoret.
“These individuals have been training well and after a successful poomsaesla, it was good for us to grade them,” said Ratanga.
UOE captain Peter Orwa said the upgrade was good for him as he wants to take it to the professional level.
“This is a great idea for us as students. Having such skills will help is both in academics and co-curriculum in future,” said Orwa who was accompanied by his counterpart Lisper Mwendwa, the civil engineering student.