History Is Made As Bodyweapon Taekwondo Academy Gets First Female Black Belters

IKPO IGBINOBA 

Aminat Abdulafeez and Patricia Yekeen smashed the jinx that has dogged Bodyweapon Taekwondo Academy in its eleven years history on Saturday as they emerged the first female black belters.

It was an occasion to remember as the duo put up a superlative performance before an A-Grade Committee of examiners headed by Higher Grandmaster Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme 9th Dan.

Other heavyweights of the committee at the occasion which took place at the Frontliners Schools in the Alagbado area of Lagos were Grandmaster Dr Ferguson Oluigbo, Grandmaster Yusuf Nasir and Grandmaster Solomon Udumoh.

The feat of the lasses was a fitting climax to an arduous journey which they started seven years ago as rookie taekwondoists.

Aminat and Patricia were not the only stars that glittered on a historic Saturday that was star-studded in every aspect.

For Bodyweapon Taekwondo Academy, it was another landmark occasion as they honoured deserving parents and patrons, and graded students from white to yellow belt and from red to Black Belt at the End Of Year extravaganza.

The icing on the cake was the celebration of Dr Ikpeme and the taekwondo twins Raynald and Rosabelle Braih.

The threesome has December 17 as their birthday and the drums and trumpets were rolled out to mark the occasion.

In his remarks, instructor of the Bodyweapon Taekwondo Academy, Emmanuel Banjo described Dr Ikpeme as a living legend “who has contributed more to the growth of taekwondo in Nigeria than anyone else living or dead”.

Dr Ikpeme who was presented with his portrait by the Media Director of the Academy, Mr. Jerome Braih said he would forever remember the occasion.

The Roll Call

White Belt to Yellow Belt 

Idoreyen John 

Nsikan John 

Joseph Braih 

Damilola Ogunfolabi

Emekeihia Dumebi 

Jocabel Osideinde 

Jemaima Osideinde 

Olumide  Akinsanya

Joshua Olorunfemi

David Fasakin 

Fikayomi Olawoyi 

Tobi Ogundepo

Akeem Akinola

Rosemary Kanu

Similola Ojo

Samuel Awoniyi 

Red Belt to Black Belt 

Abidemi Akintola(2nd Dan)

Salaudeen Hammed 

Damilola Kuti 

Masud Oamen 

Dele Akinyele 

Onwori Onyebuchi 

Aminat Abdulafeez 

Patricia Yekeen 

Honorary Black Belt 

Bishop Gbenupo Hunnu Olu-Moiett 

Mrs. Esther Aliu(4th Dan)

Mr. Jerome Braih 

Mrs. Adetola Oluwaseyi 

Mrs. Jesutofunmi Olateju 

Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim 

Mr. Soji Ganzallo 

Mr. Oludare Akinyemi 

Mr. Tajudeen Odunmbaku 

Mr. Dodo Alabi

Mr. Owolabi Rotimi