Stephen kicks out two golds at Tiger Claw event

Shihan Thorne Martial Arts Academy’s Felicia Stephen was among the top performers, winning two first place trophies in the 18-35 Black belt Division at the recently held Martial Arts Championship in the Chaguanas Regional Indoor Sport Arena. The student and instructor of the Chaguanas academy was among the nine students of the Dojo to take top places. The Dojo also claimed six second places, six third places and seven fourth places at the Tiger Claw Martial Arts Academy hosted event. Reverend and Shihan Carlyle Thorne who has been in the martial arts field for 41 years was especially proud of the achievements of his team of students.

Students B’Lane Daly was recently accepted into the Johns Hopkins University for the field of medicine. Darnel Mayers will be studying architecture while Darrel Harrinarine studying Dentistry in the University of the West Indies and Ackedel Lodan will study at the Johnson C Smith University in the field of Environmental Science. Three other students, Adrian Sealey, Atiba Logan and Shaquille Logan are also furthering their education. Sealey and Logan (Atiba) are receiving second diplomas while Logan (Shaquille) is pursuing a degree in Business Management. “The discipline of the students, between training, working and finding time to study is remarkable,” Shihan Thorne added.

Shihan Thorne’s academy which is from Enterprise has consistently, through the years continued to work with children within the vicinity who are either mentally or physically challenged and he believes that “for the past fifteen years, having produced students of academic and sporting excellence, the academy is not being recognised for it’s contribution to the community and society.” Thorne says that the only support comes from parents of the students and “one or two” community based businesses. The academy is currently preparing a team to participate in the upcoming US ISKA Martial Arts World Championship, Orlando, Florida from July 1-2. The tournament will feature more than 40 countries.