Martial Arts Institute Awards 1975-2025
MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE AWARDS 1975 – 2024:
MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE BLACK BELTS est. 1975.
HONORARY BLACK BELTS
1. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS (HON)*
2. SAMMY ADUAGYEI (HON)[
3. ALFRED "MR GEORGE" DARKO (HON)*
4. DELAE SOWU (HON) * [
5. CHRISTIAN ABBEW (HON) *
6. MERARI ALOMELE (HON)* (HON)ô
7. GEORGE PARTINGTON (HON)*
8. KWASI AWUKU YOBO (HON)*
9. CAPT. KOJO TSIKATA (HON)*
10. TYRONE MOORE (HON)*
11. GONZALO R. SUAREZ (HON)ô
12. GONZALO de LEMA (HON)ô
13. ELDY ANDRADE de LEMA (HON)ô
14. PEDRO CACERES (HON)ô
15. BRIAN KELLY (HON)*
16. JOSEPH DORAN (HON)*
17. CATHIE SOYEMI (HON) 
18. DEREK SOYEMI (HON)*
19. STEPHEN SOYEMI (HON)*
20. GEORGINA JANE ROACHFORD (HON)
21. MARIA TERESA ESPINOSA ABASTOFLOR (HON)
22. JASON FUENTES (HON) ô
23. EKWOW SPIO-GARBRAH (HON)*
24. DR. KWADWO OSEI-NYAME JNR. (HON)*
25. AMBASSADOR GEORGE HALDANE LUTTERODT (HON)*
26. SENSEI MAXWELL THEODORE ALORNYO (HON)*
27. GM DR. JACK MBOM (HON)*
28. KAFUI DEY (HON)*
African Goju Ambassador
MASUDI SALAMI
1st Degree Black Belts
1. GEOFREY MOLOKWU [
2. ALVIN VALERIO [
3. PATRICK MICHAEL [
4. ALBERT VALERIO [
5. CHARLES WHITAKER *[
6. MICHAEL KAUFMANN [
7. WILLIAM ANNAN [
8. WISE YAO KUFE [
9. CELIA PEDERSON [
10. AMOWI SUTHERLAND
11. KAREN AKINWUMI
12. BRENDA PHILLIPS
13. JOYCE ROBERTSON
14. HANNAH AKUFFO
15. KWEKU BAAKO [
16. LOUIS KHUPE [
17. SYLVIA BANNERMAN [
18. KOBINA ADU [
19. DAVID ABABIO [
20. JOYE OFEI [
21. STEPHEN ASUMADU-SAKYI [
22. ROBERT OFORI [
23. J.P.MADJITEY [
24. JOHN DIEGO [
25. COLLINS DARKO MENSAH [
26. CHARLES FRANCE [
27. HENRY FIAWOO [
28. SAM MATE KOJO [
29. YAKUBU SEIDU PELIGAH [
30. DILIZA CELE [
31. BRUCE AMARTEIFIO [
32. MARQUAYE MARTEY [
33. YOKU SHAW-TAYLOR [
34. JACOB NYADU [
35. DORIS CUDJOE [
36. EVA AWUMA [
37. JOSHUA OFORI [
38. KOBY HALL [
39. NAA OYOE SHIRLEY OWOO [
40. PAKI DAVIS [
41. PROSPER ADONU [
42. OHRIDIA TAYE [
43. KOFI CHRISTIAN [
44. JOEL TUBONIMI [
45. JOHN COBBINA [
46. FRANCIS OTU [
47. CHARLES OPOKU-AKYEAMPONG [ (R.I.P)
48. EDDIE PALMER [
49. CHARLES MOUKARZEL [
50. ALFRED NSARKOR [
51. ERIC NSARKOR [
52. AMOS SACKEY [
53. ABBAS M. ABBAS [
54. WILLIAM RICHMOND ANNAN [
55. SALEWA ABODERIN [
56. JAIYE ABODERIN * (R.I.P)
57. MAC IYAMU *
58. ENE BASSEY *
59. JOE BODY SHOP *
60. BAILEY BODY SHOP *
61. GRACE COLEMAN
62. OMAR FAROUK NAGAYA (R.I.P) [
63. JUNIOR AGOGO [
64. CARL PETRI PLOTNEL [
65. MAURICIO GANTIER ô
66. MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA
67. ADRIANA SINAGA
68. TONY GBEHO (R.I.P) * [
69. JOHN NEILL *
70. JIMMY COSTIGAN *
71. JAMES COURTNEY *
72. MOHAMMED MIAH *
73. R. SENTHURAN *
74. YUKMAN CHEUNG * [
75. EVELYN AMANKWAH [
76. SANDEEP PATEL *
77. SALLY LEGGE-MAURICE [
78. AFI AGBENYEGA NYARKO [
79. VICTORIA BINEY HAJAR [
2nd Degree Black Belts
1. RAYMOND P. EZUMAS (R.I.P) [
2. CLEMENT IYEYEMI [
3. EDMUND KWAW [
4. EMMANUEL(HARD MAN) NWAEGISE * [
5. BERNARD RAWLINS [
6. IVOR HEWARD-MILLS [
7. JUDE ADU AMANKWAH [
8. PATRICK ADU AMANKWAH [
9. JOSIAH CHRISTIAN [
10. CHARLES ANKUMAH [
11. AMARLAI ARMAR [
12. GEORGE QUAGRAINE [
13. PUPU LAMPO [
14. NANA GHARTEY [
15. FRANCIS ODOOM [
16. VICTOR BRUCE [
17. ANDREW DANIELS [
18. NII OSAH-MILLS [
19. ORACCA-TETTEH [
20. EDWIN ASANTE [
21. ERIC OLLENU *
22. YINKA ONAOLAPO *
23. TUNDE BASHUA *
24. EMMANUEL MENSAH *
25. APAU ATTAFUAH KARIKARI *
26. JOSEPH AYI AYITEYVIE *
27. NII NOY NORTEY *
28. ADU QUASHIE *
29. BIOLA RENNER *
30. GEORGE DANIELS *
31. MICAEL CARVALLO *
32. TOMMY JOHNSON (R.I.P) *
33. ABUBAKARI BUBA *
3rd Degree Black Belts (Warriors & Amazons)
1. EKOW AMPAH [
2. ERNEST ‘WANG U’ AKO [
3. BERNIE FOWLER * [
4. ALBERT DI LEMME * [
5. MAURO NILSON MARCOS ô
6. PETER MBUGUA * [
7. VUSI KHUMALO * [
8. ARNOLD MATE KOJO (R.I.P.) [
9. OLEG SVETOSLAVSKI * [
10. GUANG JI * [
11. HELDER BARETO * [
12. DANIEL OBIRI-YEBOA * [
13. HENRY LARYEA * [
14. OUSMANU HIMOU * [
15. WINSTON TETTEH ABUKU * [
16. JOSEPH ADI AYITEYVIE * [
17. JACOBO ABULARACH S (R.I.P) ô [
18. ROBERT BOTCHWAY * [
19. VINCENT OMENKA * [
20. J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR *
21. WINSTON ABUKU * [
22. RICHARD ASARE * [
23. KOFI DJIN * [
24. CAROLINE GWIRA * [ 
25. PAMELA MOJEKWU * [
26. BRIGITTE JOFFRE ô [
27. ADRIANA JOFFRÉ VERA ô [
28. DANIELA JOFFRÉ VERA ô [
29. JOSÉ ZAMBRANA ô [
30. HANS VILLAROEL ô [
31. GIOVANNI ORTIZ ô [
32. HARRY GWIRA * [
33. WELLINGTON BAIDEN [
4th Degree Black Belts (Warriors)
1. KWABENYA ASIAMAH * [
2. MOHAMMED KOJO ETRUE * [
3. MICHAEL KWAPONG * [
4. SAMUEL ATO HAGAN * [
5. UMUAI HENRY LOPENTZ * [
6. ALFRED KWEKU OGOE * [
7. JOSHUA BROWN * [
8. LOUIS ESSO * [
9. JONATHAN ACQUAYE * [
10. STE O’DUBHGAILL * [
11. MARTIN KINSELLA * [
5th Degree Black Belts (Warriors)
1. HENRY AKPODE * [
2. GODWIN OZIEGBE * [
3. MICHAEL BOATENG MENSAH [
4. MOSES BAIDEN [
5. MELVIN BROWN * [
6. PEACE EDWARDS * [
7. HENRY MAGNUS GEORGE * [
8. LAWRENCE NYANYO NMAI * [
9. GM OSCAR CORRALES ô [
10. GM ARTHUR DECKER * [
11. HERBIE ANKRAH * [
6th Degree Black Belts (Great Warriors and Grandmasters)
1. MICHAEL ELAKHE * [
2. PATRICK MINTAH * [
3. DAVID DENTEH * [
4. ERROL “THE TURK” RAMADAN [
5. TOGBOR KOLY HABA “ANDRÉ” * [
6. JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY * [
7. DUKE BANSON * [
8. HENRY ANSAH-OFEI (R.I.P) * [
9. NELSON GANTIER ô [
10. SAMUEL ACQUAH * [
11. JAMES QUARSHIE(R.I.P) * [
12. MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO (R.I.P) * [
13. CELESTINE IFETU (R.I.P) * [
14. MIGUEL ANGEL ESPINOSA ABASTOFLOR ô[
7th Degree Black Belts (Great Warriors and Grandmasters)
1. DONALD GWIRA * [
2. SOLLY MATLOU * [
3. GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS * [
4. NETTEY “WAGA STONE” AKOSO-NETTEY * [
5. DAVID AYUTSEDE * [
6. EMMANUEL NMAI * [
8th Degree Black Belts (Great Warriors and Grandmasters)
1. KENNETH GWIRA [
2. REGINALD GWIRA [
[ MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE KARATE BLACK BELT.
MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE SELF-DEFENCE BLACK BELT.
* AFRICAN GOJU BLACK BELT.
ô SOUTH AMERICAN GOJU BLACK BELT.
(HON) HONORARY BLACK BELT
*The latest Black Belt additions will be incorporated in the next survey in 2025*
AFRICAN GOJU WORLD RATINGS 1987-1996:
HEAVYWEIGHT (OVER 80 Kilos)
CHAMPION: CELESTINE IFETU (RUSSIA)
1. NETTEY “WAGA STONE” AKOSO-NETTEY (AUSTRALIA)
2. VINCENT OMENKA (USA.)
3. MOHAMMED ETRUE (GHANA)
4. KWABENA ASIAMAH (GHANA)
5. GODWIN OZIEGBE (NIGERIA)
MIDDLEWEIGHT (70Kgs-79Kgs)
CHAMPION: EMMANUEL NMAI (SWITZERLAND)
1. NELSON GANTIER (BOLIVIA)
2. J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR (GHANA)
3. OUSMANU HIMOU (NIGER)
4. WINSTON ABUKU (GHANA)
5. MICHAEL ELAKHE (NIGERIA)
WELTERWEIGHT (60Kgs -69Kgs)
CHAMPION: MICHAEL ELAKHE (NIGERIA)
1. ROBERT BOTCHWAY (GHANA)
2. HENRY AKPODE (NIGERIA)
3. PEACE EDWARDS (GHANA)
4. ADU QUASHIE (GHANA)
5. TUNDE BASHUA (NIGERIA)
LIGHTWEIGHT (Under 60Kgs)
CHAMPION: DAVID AYUTSEDE (HOLLAND)
1. SOLLY MATLOU (BOTSWANA)
2. EMMANUEL MENSAH (GHANA)
3. KOFI DJIN (GHANA)
4. JOSHUA BROWN (GHANA)
5. APAU ATTAFUAH KARIKARI (GHANA)
AFRICAN GOJU FULL CONTACT FIGHTS 1988-1996:
30th JULY 1988: LORDS NITE CLUB, LAGOS NIGERIA.
WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
DAVID AYUTSEDE (NIGERIA) defeated SOLLY MATLOU (BOTSWANA)
In the fifteenth round by People's Decision 35 - 15
AYUTSEDE becomes new World lightweight champion.
----------------------------------------------------------------
18th JUNE 1989: FRANKIE'S NITE CLUB, ACCRA GHANA.
1. JOSHUA BROWN defeated APAU KARIKARI ATTAFUAH
(Lightweight)
2. ROBERT BOTCHWAY drew with WINSTON TETTEH ABUKU
(Middleweight)
3. PEACE EDWARDS defeated ABUBAKARI BUBA
(Welterweight)
----------------------------------------------------------------
2nd SEPTEMBER 1989: COMMUNITY CENTRE, ACCRA GHANA.
1. JOSHUA BROWN defeated APAU KARIKARI ATTAFUAH
(Lightweight)
2. PEACE EDWARDS drew with ADU QUASHIE
(Welterweight)
3. ROBERT BOTCHWAY drew with WINSTON TETTEH ABUKU
(Middleweight)
4. KWABENA ASIAMAH defeated MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO
(Heavyweight)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
30th SEPTEMBER 1989: COMMUNITY CENTRE, ACCRA GHANA.
1. APAU KARIKARI ATTAFUAH drew with EMMANUEL MENSAH
(Lightweight)
2. MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO drew with JOSEPH ADI AYITEYVIE
(Heavyweight)
3. J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR (GHANA) defeated OUSMANU HIMOU (NIGER)
(Middleweight)
In the second round by a T.K.O
J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR becomes new African middleweight champion.
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25th NOVEMBER 1989: ADISADEL COLLEGE, CAPE COAST GHANA.
MOHAMMED KOJO ETRUE (GHANA) defeated MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO (GHANA)
(Heavyweight)
In the sixth round by a T.K.O
MOHAMMED KOJO ETRUE becomes new African heavyweight champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2nd DECEMBER 1989: COMMUNITY CENTRE, ACCRA GHANA.
EMMANUEL MENSAH (GHANA) defeated JOSHUA BROWN (GHANA)
(Lightweight)
In the third Round by a T.K.O
EMMANUEL MENSAH becomes new Ghana lightweight champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
4th AUGUST 1990: TIPTOE GARDENS, ACCRA GHANA.
WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
EMMANUEL NMAI (SWITZERLAND) defeated J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR (GHANA)
(Middleweight)
By a walkover when J. Tetteh-Quaynor failed to show up for the fight.
EMMANUEL NMAI becomes new World middleweight champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
26th AUGUST 1990: NATIONAL STADIUM, LAGOS NIGERIA.
CELESTINE IFETU (NIGERIA) defeated GODWIN OZIEGBE (NIGERIA)
(Heavyweight)
In the first round by a T.K.O
CELESTINE IFETU becomes new Nigeria heavyweight champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
8th SEPTEMBER 1990: JOHNSON COMPLEX, ACCRA GHANA.
DAVID AYUTSEDE (NIGERIA) defeated KOFI DJIN (GHANA)
(Lightweight)
In the fourth round by a T.K.O
DAVID AYUTSEDE retains his World lightweight title.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6th APRIL 1991: TIPTOE GARDENS, ACCRA GHANA.
WORLD WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
MICHAEL ELAKHE (NIGERIA) defeated HENRY AKPODE (NIGERIA)
(Welterweight)
In the sixth round by a T.K.O
MICHAEL ELAKHE becomes new World welterweight champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
16th AUGUST 1991: TIPTOE GARDENS, ACCRA GHANA.
ROBERT BOTCHWAY (GHANA) defeated HENRY AKPODE (NIGERIA)
(Welterweight)
In the fifteenth round by T.K.O
-----------------------------------------------------------------
26TH JUNE 1992: FEDERAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE YABA, LAGOS NIGERIA.
MICHAEL ELAKHE (NIGERIA) defeated YINKA ONAOLAPO (NIGERIA)
(Welterweight)
In the third round by T.K.O. (Non-Title Fight)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1ST SEPTEMBER 1992: CITY HOTEL, COCHABAMBA BOLIVIA.
JOSÉ ESPINOSA A (BOLIVIA) retires. World Heavyweight Title becomes vacant.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1ST SEPTEMBER 1994: MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE.
CELESTINE IFETU (NIGERIA) the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Title is ratified as the new World Heavyweight Champion by the Founder.
*The fights were stopped in 1996 because of a lack of sponsorship. They will be revived in the near future.*
MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE AWARDS 1975 – 2025:
1975
BEST FIGHTER: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: JOSIAH CHRISTIAN
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: KOFI CHRISTIAN
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST KATA: JOSIAH CHRISTIAN
BEST WEAPONS: ERROL "THE TURK" RAMADAN
BEST BREAKING: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: KEN GWIRA & SOLLY MATLOU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: EVELYN AMANKWAH
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: CAROLINE GWIRA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: DUKE BANSON
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: KENNETH GWIRA
1976
BEST FIGHTER: JOSIAH CHRISTIAN
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: JOSIAH CHRISTIAN
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: ARTHUR DECKER
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST KATA: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST WEAPONS: ERROL "THE TURK" RAMADAN
BEST BREAKING: ERNEST "WANG U" AKO
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: KEN GWIRA & SOLLY MATLOU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CELIA PEDERSON
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: CAROLINE GWIRA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JOSIAH CHRISTIAN
1977
BEST FIGHTER: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: PATRICK ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: YAKUBU SEIDU PELIGAH
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST KATA: KENNETH GWIRA
BEST WEAPONS: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST BREAKING: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: REGINALD GWIRA/SOLLY MATLOU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRENDA PHILLIPS
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: JONES-QUARTEY
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: DONALD GWIRA
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
1978
BEST FIGHTER: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: PATRICK ADU AMANKWAH (RIP)
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: BERNARD RAWLINS
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: ARNOLD MATE KOJO (R.I.P.)
BEST KATA: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST WEAPONS: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST BREAKING: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: REGINALD GWIRA/SOLLY MATLOU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: JONES QUARTEY
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: STEVEN ASUMADU-SAKYI
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
1979
BEST FIGHTER: TOGBOR KOLY HABA "ANDRE"
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT DUKE BANSON
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: TOGBOR KOLY HABA "ANDRE"
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: JOSHUA OFORI
BEST KATA: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST WEAPONS: ANDREW DANIELS
BEST BREAKING: DONALD GWIRA
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DUKE BANSON/HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ALFRED NSARKOR
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: BRUCE AMARTEIFIO
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: TOGBOR KOLY HABA "ANDRE"
1980
BEST FIGHTER: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: NANA GHARTEY
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: CHARLES ANKUMAH
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST KATA: DONALD GWIRA
BEST WEAPONS: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST BREAKING: DONALD GWIRA
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DUKE BANSON/HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ERIC NSARKOR
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: MOSES BAIDEN
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: REGINALD GWIRA
1981
BEST FIGHTER: MICHAEL BOATENG
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: REGINALD GWIRA
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: DONALD GWIRA
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: MICHAEL BOATENG
BEST KATA: DONALD GWIRA
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST BREAKING: DONALD GWIRA
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DONALD GWIRA & SOLLY MATLOU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: KOBY HALL
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JACOB NYADU
MARTIAL ARTISTS OF THE YEAR: DONALD GWIRA
1982
BEST FIGHTER: MICHAEL BOATENG
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: FRANCIS ODOOM
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: MOSES BAIDEN
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: MICHAEL BOATENG
BEST KATA: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST WEAPONS: PUPU LAMPO
BEST BREAKING: JACOB NYADU
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: S. MATLOU & HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ACQUAH TWINS
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: AMOS SACKEY
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: HENRY ANSAH-OFEI
1983
BEST FIGHTER: MOSES BAIDEN
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: MOSES BAIDEN
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MELVIN BROWN
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: MICHAEL BOATENG
BEST KATA: DONALD GWIRA
BEST WEAPONS: ANDREW DANIELS
BEST BREAKING: GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DUKE BANSON & G. QUAGRAINE
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ALBERT VALERIO
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: CLEMENT IYEYEMI
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MOSES BAIDEN
1984
BEST FIGHTER: DUKE BANSON
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT RAYMOND P. EZUMAS
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: DUKE BANSON
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MELVIN BROWN
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: SAMUEL ACQUAH
BEST KATA: SAMUEL ACQUAH
BEST WEAPONS: GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST BREAKING: SAMUEL ACQUAH
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DON GWIRA & CLEMENT IYEYEMI
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ALVIN VALERIO
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: ABBAS M. ABBAS
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: SAMUEL ACQUAH
1985
BEST FIGHTER: DUKE BANSON
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: DUKE BANSON
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: HENRY LARYEA
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: EDMUND KWAW
BEST KATA: GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST BREAKING: DONALD GWIRA
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: DUKE BANSON & GEORGE QUAGRAINE
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: SALEWA ABODERIN
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: JAIYE ABODERIN
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: MAC IYAMU
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: DUKE BANSON
GOJU PRIZE: SOLLY MATLOU
1986
BEST FIGHTER: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: MICHAEL "BIG OX" KWAPONG
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: SAMUEL ATO HAGAN
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: EDMUND KWAW
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WEAPONS: WILLIAM RICHMOND ANNAN
BEST BREAKING: AKOSO-NETTEY "WAGA STONE"
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. ESPINOZA A & J. ABULARACH S
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: ACQUAH TWINS
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JACOBO ABULARACH S
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
GOJU PRIZE: DANIEL OBIRI-YEBOA
1987
BEST FIGHTER: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: MICHAEL "BIG OX" KWAPONG
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: DANIEL OBIRI-YEBOA
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST KATA: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST BREAKING: AKOSO-NETTEY "WAGA STONE"
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. ESPINOZA A & J. ABULARACH S
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: CAROLINE GWIRA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: HARRY GWIRA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: KWABENA ASIAMAH
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: SOLLY MATLOU
GOJU PRIZE: DAVID AYUTSEDE
1988
BEST FIGHTER: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: MICHAEL "BIG OX" KWAPONG
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: DONALD GWIRA
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST BREAKING: ENE BASSEY
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRTATION: SOLLY MATLOU/DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: PAMELA MOJEKWU
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: JUNIOR AGOGO
BEST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: HENRY AKPODE
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: DAVID AYUTSEDE
GOJU PRIZE: PAMELA MOJEKWU
1989
BEST FIGHTER: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: KWABENYA ASIAMAH
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: HENRY AKPODE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST BREAKING: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: GEORGE H-MILLS/AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: GRACE COLEMAN
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: OMAR FAROUK NAGAYA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JAMES QUARSHIE
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: J.TETTEH-QUAYNOR vrs.OUSMANU HIMOU
(African Middleweight title fight Sept. 30th 1989)
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
GOJU PRIZE: NETTEY “WAGA STONE” AKOSO-NETTEY
1990
BEST FIGHTER: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: HENRY AKPODE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST BREAKING: JAMES QUARSHIE
BEST WEAPONS: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: AKOSO-NETTEY/WINSTON ABUKU
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: ADRIANA SINAGA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: CARL PETRI PLOTNEL
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: KOFI DJIN
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: DAVID AYUTSEDE vrs. KOFI DJIN
(World Lightweight Title Fight at Johnsons Complex Sept. 8th 1990)
SHOW OF THE YEAR: SURULERE SPORTS COMPLEX, LAGOS (August 26, 1990)
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: EMMANUEL NMAI
GOJU PRIZE: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
1991
BEST FIGHTER: MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST BREAKING: JONATHAN ACQUAYE
BEST WEAPONS: JAMES QUARSHIE
BEST SELF DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. AMARTEIFIO & ALFRED OGOE
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: MAURICIO GANTIER
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: NELSON GANTIER
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: ROBERT BOTCHWAY vrs HENRY AKPODE
(Welterweight Fight, TipToe Gardens (Aug.16th 1991)
SHOW OF THE YEAR: WASSA GAMES, ASUTSUARE (Feb16th 1991)
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO (R.I.P.)
GOJU PRIZE: JAMES QUARSHIE (R.I.P.)
1992
BEST FIGHTER: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST BREAKING: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST WEAPONS: SOLLY MATLOU
BEST SELF-DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. ELAKHE & YINKA ONAOLAPO
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: MAURICIO GANTIER
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: PATRICK O. MINTAH
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: M. ELAKHE & YINKA ONAOLAPO (Yaba Tech, Lagos (26th June 1992).
SHOW OF THE YEAR: YABA TECHNICAL COLLEGE, LAGOS (26th June 1992).
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
GOJU PRIZE: MICHAEL ELAKHE
1993
BEST FIGHTER: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: GEORGE HEWARD-MILLS
BEST WEAPONS: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST BREAKING: NELSON GANTIER
BEST SELF-DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. ELAKHE & YINKA ONAOLAPO BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE WEE KARATEKA: MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: TOMMY JOHNSON
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL ELAKHE
GOJU PRIZE: CELESTINE IFETU
1994
BEST FIGHTER: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: TOMMY JOHNSON
BEST WEAPONS: NETTEY AKOSO-NETTEY
BEST BREAKING: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST SELF-DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: M. ELAKHE & YINKA ONAOLAPO BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE-WEE KARATEKA: MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JOHN NEILL
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: CELESTINE IFETU
GOJU PRIZE: FRANK ‘FIST LOGO DESIGNER’
1995
BEST FIGHTER: MOHAMMED ETRUE
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: MOHAMMED ETRUE
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST WEAPONS: EMMANUEL NMAI
BEST BREAKING: MOHAMMED ETRUE
BEST SELF-DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION: PATRICK MINTAH/DAVID DENTEH
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE-WEE KARATEKA: MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JIMMY COSTIGAN
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MOHAMMED ETRUE
GOJU PRIZE: TOMMY JOHNSON (RIP)
1996
BEST FIGHTER: MAURO NILSON
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: CELESTINE IFETU
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: MOHAMMED ETRUE
BEST WELTERWEIGHT: MICHAEL ELAKHE
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: DAVID AYUTSEDE
BEST KATA: MAURO NILSON
BEST WEAPONS: MAURO NILSON
BEST BREAKING: NELSON GANTIER
BEST SELF-DEFENCE DEMONSTRATION MAURO NILSON & OSCAR QUITO
BEST FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST: BRIGITTE JOFFRE ESPINOSA
BEST PEE-WEE KARATEKA: MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA
MOST PROMISING NEW MARTIAL ARTIST: JAMES COURTNEY
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MAURO NILSON
GOJU PRIZE: HENRY AKPODE
*The awards were stopped in 1996 because the Institute had become too large for the Founder to monitor and reliably assess the students who were spread over twenty one countries. Each country now has its own awards. I will try to collect all the data as they come in; but it won’t be easy because there are now thirty six countries which have been exposed to African/South American Goju 2025.*
1997
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: WINSTON ABUKU
1998
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: ALFRED SYDNEY OGOE
1999
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JOSHUA BROWN
2000
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: APAU ATTAFUAH KARIKARI
2001
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: HARRY GWIRA
2002
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: DAVID DENTEH
2003
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: LOUIS ESSO
2004
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: PATRICK MINTAH
2005
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MARTIN KINSELLA
2006
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: GUANG JI
2007
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: OLEG SVETOSLAVSKI
2008
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: PEACE EDWARDS
2009
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: STE O’DUBHGAILL
2010
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: GODWIN OZIEGBE
2011
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: YUK-MAN CHEUNG
2012
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: SANDEEP PATEL
2013
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: MICAEL CARVALLO
2014
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: HENRY AKPODE
2015
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: HENRY MAGNUS-GEORGE
2016
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: LAWRENCE NYANYO-NMAI
2017
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: UMUAI HENRY LOPENTZ
2018
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: OSCAR CORRALES
2019
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: ARTHUR DECKER
2020
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: SUNNY BANJO IYODO (RIP)
2021
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: RONALDO RIBEIRO
2022
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: PATRICK MINTAH
2023
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: OHIO-MICHAEL ELAKHE
2024
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
2025
MARTIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
2025 will be the 50th anniversary of the Martial Arts Institute and the 40th anniversary of African Goju. Roooarrr!!!...Ssssss!!!
Files coming soon.