LEFT TO RIGHT: Jason Christian, Des Chaskelson and Stu Warren. The image at far left is the late Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, son of the founder of the style and father of modern day karate, and at right is the late Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Three local karate students from the Cocoa Beach Karate School made the long trip all the way over to Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, to represent Cocoa Beach at the recent World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association Seminar.
The seminar, “Memorial Karate-Do Seminar & Exchange Demonstration 2014 for Soke Takayoshi Nagamine in Okinawa,” was attended by over 200 black belts from around the world including the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, mainland Japan and Okinawa.
The three Cocoa Beach Karate students who made the trip were Sensei Des Chaskelson, the school owner/director and 5th degree black belt, along with his students, Stu Warren and Jason Christian.
Cocoa Beach Karate performed a traditional kata, Ananaku, at the ceremony in front of the highest ranking karate practitioners of this style in the world and the hundred of black belt students participating in this event.
In addition, two of the students tested in front of the highest ranking board of judges in this style. Jason Christian was promoted to 1st degree black belt and Stu Warren to 2nd degree black belt.
Three local karate students from the Cocoa Beach Karate School made the long trip all the way over to Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, to represent Cocoa Beach at the recent World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association Seminar. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Sensei Des Chaskelson
“This was a huge honor for us to be representing Cocoa Beach Karate at the highest level,” said school director Des Chaskelson.
“I am very proud of my two students who have trained hard for years to be ready to test this high level. They have worked long and hard and deserve the new ranks they received.”
Cocoa Beach Karate offers classes for all ages (kids and adults) at two locations – Cocoa Beach Health & Fitness and Cocoa Beach Recreation Center.
