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FM
Former Member

Grandmaster Stephen Monasingh honoured by Maximum Sports


Guyanese 10th Dan Grandmaster Dr. Stephen Michael Monasingh, was, on Friday

Grandmaster Stephen Monasingh [seated left) and Max Massiah (seated right) along with other Martial Artists at last Friday’s programme on NCN.

Grandmaster Stephen Monasingh (seated left) and Max Massiah (seated right) along with other Martial Artists at last Friday’s programme on NCN.

11th November, 2016, honoured by Martial Artists, during a special edition of Guyana’s popular most-viewed Television Sports programme MAXIMUM SPORTS COMBAT & STRENGTH, for 53 years of training, study, and teaching of Martial Arts.


The presentation, by way of a plaque, was delivered to Dr. Monasingh by young Karatekas, 8 year old Miguel, & 6 year old Sachin, on behalf of the newly formed GASMAF (Guyana All-Styles Martial Arts Federation), and Max Massiah, Producer of the weekly one-hour show (Fridays, 9.05pm, on NCN TV) with compliments of the Trophy Stall.


The Martial Artists, who acknowledged the Grandmaster’s achievements and contributions, comprised of Masters, Chief instructors/Senseis, & members of various Martial Arts Styles & Schools.


Mr. Massiah reflected as a teenager, hearing the names of Guyana’s best Martial Artists such as Frank Woon-A-Tai, Dennis Forde-Singh, Winston Dunbar, Rocky Narine, & Mr. Monasingh, with never one moment entertaining the thought of becoming personally acquainted with these much talked-about individuals, which is a reality today, as he thanked, read and shared a few of the accolades, diplomas, certificates & awards presented to Dr. Monasingh during his heyday.


Grandmaster Monasingh, who has Doctorate in Oriental Medicine and practice, has been recognised internationally. He was given Grandmaster status for his development of the style, Shin Kaido, which is a form that includes the best workable techniques of several Martial Art forms that Dr. Monasingh studied and practiced including, Taekwondo, Karate and Aikido among others

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I studied with him for two years. Even though I studied with at least a dozen others he I would say instilled the discipline and the love for martial arts. He was a  great teacher because he has a knack for connecting with his student individually.

I thank him because his skills saved my life twice and because it give me the courage to walk away with my honor intact in many instances where anger would have caused me to beat up on a stupid person. Most of all it made me strong mentally and physically. I used to teach Wing Chun in our dorm to students but I always added the Kyokushin kai kicks because I felt it give the form better balance. Wing Chun has only below the belt kicks. I also added his emphasis on circular motions to build up momentum. I was never a purist to any style.

FM

Frank Woon-A-Tai, Dennis Forde-Singh, Winston Dunbar, Rocky Narine, & Mr. Monasingh,

I know all them used to stop by their dojo.

Some of my friends were Moonasingh students,I studied Shotokan with Frank-Woon -A-Thai for five years in the late 60's to early 70's,my friends and i used to challenge[friendly sparr] each other to prove which style was the best for self defense,karate is deep it's more than a skill for self defense when you understand the true study of this special art.

Django
Last edited by Django

Monasingh and Frank were quite prominent in Guyana during the 70's and 80's, however their students never were able to compete on the world stage or win any trophies of significance. This bring in the question of how good these men were as teachers as the proof is in the pudding. Maybe they are just 3rd world sensis, big fish in a small pond.   

FM

I do not know anything about his new style. I know that he was already modifying Kyokushin kai when I was training with him.  I guess that style came after '76

Here is the kyokushin pledge (dojo kun )  as I remember it.

We will train our hearts and bodies, for a firm unshaken spirit.We will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert.With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial.We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.We will follow our religious principles, and never forget the true virtue of humility.We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.All our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Kyokushin Way.

FM

No that was the Taekwondo sensi. I cannot remember his name now. But he had a popular name.  I think he was one of the first Taekwondo masters in Guyana.  I went to his house once.  The man had about 200 Guyana poisonous snakes. He use to export the venom for research in the West.

Prashad

"

Lawrence Van Sertima was one of the top judo instructors in Guyana and also a snake handler. He lived on Waterloo Street. "

I trained under Lawrence. It's possible I could take on all these guys here.......at the same time.

cain
Last edited by cain

I trained under Lawrence. It's possible I could take on all these guys here.......at the same time.

I am confident I can take you out in a hand to hand combat, and you can even bring along d2. These so called martial arts masters in Guyana were jokers, they couldn't hold a torch to their overseas counterparts.

FM
 

I am confident I can take you out in a hand to hand combat, and you can even bring along d2. These so called martial arts masters in Guyana were jokers, they couldn't hold a torch to their overseas counterparts.

Thanks to the martial arts. It makes one walk away from stupid people with their honor intact.

 

 

FM

"

I trained under Lawrence. It's possible I could take on all these guys here.......at the same time.

I am confident I can take you out in a hand to hand combat, and you can even bring along d2. These so called martial arts masters in Guyana were jokers, they couldn't hold a torch to their overseas counterparts."

 

A quick punch followed by an elbow and as you fall you receive just for being a member of GNI,  a free TaiToshi ..dats a body drop throw..and  for an encore you will be the recipient of a KansetsuWaza (good ole fashioned joint lock) To break or not to break,,,,is now the question?

cain
Last edited by cain

Billy Ramgoat

The real big laugh will come when you step out and show your real self..

I happen to be happy with how I look for my age. Plus my mind is as sharp as ever it could be.

FM

Billy Ramgoat

The real big laugh will come when you step out and show your real self..

I happen to be happy with how I look for my age. Plus my mind is as sharp as ever it could be.

()
You could say anything about yourself. The real test is when you decide to be a man and stop hiding under all those aliases that we've become so familiar with.  Billy does not wear a weird Mr. Grumps beard like you do. 
Billy Ram Balgobin

Billy Ramgoat

Django, You met me before but you didn't know it was me.

Guyana is a tiny sliver of land with an geographically incestuous ( and maybe otherwise also) community so why would not each of us have crossed path before?...

FM
Last edited by Former Member

Billy Ramgoat

The real big laugh will come when you step out and show your real self..

I happen to be happy with how I look for my age. Plus my mind is as sharp as ever it could be.

 

Your mind couldn't be that sharp as you supported the current crop of crooks in office. 

FM

Thanks to the martial arts. It makes one walk away from stupid people with their honor intact.

 

Or perhaps it provides an excuse for cowards to walk away from a challenge. 

FM

Drugabeer

Or perhaps it provides an excuse for cowards to walk away from a challenge.

You look like a little wet rat so I do not want to waste time. This is no less than you challenging me to an XC bike race. You are for doing so rather silly. I told you then there is a MOCO epic in April. Register. I will be there. I assure you lots of beer will be shed laughing as you nurse a thousand bruises from falling down all over the place. As for the fighting stuff talk to me then

FM

Sheik, I don't know the name of the dojo. I know that Van Sertima lived on Waterloo Street by Lamaha Street. My cousin's relative lived next door and I went there a few times as a child. He had a lot of snakes stored there.

Mars

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