Raymond's going ... for black

Photo: Cameron Burnell: The Wellingtonian

KARATE KID - Raymond Illorico practices his karate moves, which he prefers to homework.

RAYMOND LLORICO could become Seido Karate's youngest junior black belt, if passes his grading later this month.

The 12-year-old Sacred Heart Thorndon student has his grading on November 26, and admits he is "a bit nervous".

"It should be okay, but I might not make it [pass the grade] or I might do something wrong," says Raymond.

To make sure that's not the case, his mother and father take him to the academy for training two or three times a week.

For his grading, Raymond must do a set warm-up, a series of kata (set moves), self-defence moves, and series of defence moves he has made up - 40 simple and 20 complex moves.

Principal instructor Ben Otang is happy with the way Raymond has worked on his karate.

"He's been very good, and when he goes to tournaments he's been wining and so he's in top form."

Although Raymond has a good chance at success, Mr Otang says nothing is definite.

"It depends on his mental approach. You can be very fit but if you are mentally challenged then you never know. But he should be OK."

If Raymond passes his grading he will be a first-degree black belt, and will have nine more dan to move through.

Dad, Emelio, says he is "very proud" of Raymond, and agrees with his son that the family should celebrate if he passes his grading.

Raymond has been doing karate since he was seven and says he likes the sport because "you learn self defence, you get to kick and punch, and you learn respect".

And although Raymond clearly prefers karate to homework, Emelio makes sure the latter gets done.

"Homework is still a priority. Sometimes it's good though - he does all his homework so that he can attend karate," says Emelio.

As for the celebration if he succeeds: "I would like to go out with my family, maybe watch a movie and go to dinner," says Raymond.

Seido is one of the largest styles of marital arts in New Zealand - there are 18 schools in this country witharound two thousand students. Internationally there are more than 40 thousand Seido students in 16 countries with nearly 100 branches worldwide. In the Capital there are around 200 members, of these 45% are women and more than 40% of members are children.