Communication Professional and Martial Arts Practitioner, Mr Donald Gwira, was part of 26 outstanding personalities recognised at the African Goju Awards held last Saturday in Accra by the Martial Arts institute.

He was named a Patron and awarded Seventh Degree Black Belt for attaining “the required level of fitness, attack-defence, ‘katas’ and fighting techniques” in African Goju.

He was again inducted into the Ken Gwira Hall of Fame for his contribution to the history and development of the Martial Arts Institute, African Goju and South American Goju.

With over 40 years experience in the discipline which teaches self-defense and other positive values, Mr Gwira obtained First Degree Black Belt in 1979 and Fifth Degree Black Belt in 1995.

His sharp tactics and contribution to the development of African Goju in Ghana, France and the United States of America (USA) led to his induction into the Hall of Fame of the Martial Arts Institute in 2010.

This notwithstanding, the ‘Great Warrior’ and ‘Flying Kick specialist’ told The Spectator last year that he was aiming to attain the highest degree possible. And true to his words, he continued to put in the effort and is now closer to reaching the ultimate.

“It is a great honour to be promoted. It gives me encouragement to go higher and possibly reach the 10^th Degree Black Belt which is the highest level. 

“I will continue to train and keep fit; keeping fit is a way of life and it has helped me over the years,” Mr Gwira said after receiving the award.

He added that he intended working with other Martial Artists to groom more young people to become “great warriors.”

The ceremony, according to Prof. Danny Gwira, Founder of the Martial Arts Institute, African and South American Goju, was to celebrate the sacrifices and continuous support of members to the growth of the institute.

He said African Goju, an indigenous style of Martial Arts, was not only about building physical strength but also the holistic development of an individual.

“African Goju among other things teaches you how to avoid a fight because it does not matter how strong, tough or skillful you are, you can still be beaten by a determined opponent,” he said.

African Goju was formed in Ghana in 1985 by Danny Gwira, a student of Professor Ron Van Clief the Founder of Chinese Goju.

However, Danny later realised that some of the techniques in Chinese Goju were not applicable to the African context hence the commencement of a “more realistic style” that teaches people to “stay alive and win any battle.”

The concept had since been extended to other parts of the world including Nigeria, England, Switzerland and Bolivia.

Other awardees included Former Trade Minister, Mr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, who received the Honorary Black Belt while the Martial Artist of the Year award went to Mr. Partick Mintah.

By Ernest Nutsugah