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    • A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOJU
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  • Home
  • A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOJU
  • Hall of Fame
  • DANNY GWIRA
  • Bolivia
  • NIGERIA
  • Ghana
  • Switzerland
  • The Fights
  • Fightsociety
  • United Kingdom
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Award Ceremony 2022 Photo Gallery

    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)*

    29. GM EMMANUEL IKPEME (HON)*

    30. GM MICKLEM EMECHETE-ATTOH (HON)*

    31. GM MYKEL ENEDUWA (HON)*

    32. GM GEORGE ASHIRU (HON)*

    33. GM HANNY ZAHABI (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 [

    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 * 

    57. MAC IYAMU *

    58. ENE BASSEY *

    59. JOE BODY SHOP *

    60. BAILEY BODY SHOP *

    61. GRACE COLEMAN

    62. OMAR FAROUK NAGAYA  [

    63. JUNIOR AGOGO [ 

    64. CARL PETRI PLOTNEL [

    65. MAURICIO GANTIER ô

    66. MARIA TERESA MIRANDA ESPINOSA

    67. ADRIANA SINAGA

    68. TONY GBEHO * [

    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 [

    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 *

    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 [

    9. OLEG SVETOSLAVSKI * [

    10. GUANG JI * [

    11. HELDER BARETO * [

    12. HENRY LARYEA * [

    13. OUSMANU HIMOU * [

    14. WINSTON TETTEH ABUKU * [

    15. JOSEPH ADI AYITEYVIE * [

    16. JACOBO ABULARACH S ô [

    17. ROBERT BOTCHWAY * [

    18. VINCENT OMENKA * [

    19. J. TETTEH-QUAYNOR *

    20. WINSTON ABUKU * [

    21. RICHARD ASARE * [

    22. KOFI DJIN * [

    23. CAROLINE GWIRA  ANANE * [

    24. PAMELA MOJEKWU * [

    25. BRIGITTE JOFFRE ô [

    26. ADRIANA JOFFRÉ VERA ô [

    27. DANIELA JOFFRÉ VERA ô [

    28. JOSÉ ZAMBRANA ô [

    29. HANS VILLAROEL ô [

    30. GIOVANNI ORTIZ ô [

    31. HARRY GWIRA * [

    32. 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. 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 HERVOSO ô [

    10. GM ARTHUR DECKER * [

    11. HERBIE ANKRAH * [ 

    12. DANIEL OBIRI-YEBOA * [

    13. STE  DOYLE * [ 


    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 * [

    9. NELSON GANTIER ô [

    10. SAMUEL ACQUAH * [

    11. JAMES QUARSHIE * [ 

    12. MICHAEL AMARTEIFIO * [ 

    13. CELESTINE IFETU * [ 

    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 2030*


    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.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    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 

    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 

    BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH 

    BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: PATRICK ADU AMANKWAH 

    BEST WELTERWEIGHT: YAKUBU SEIDU PELIGAH

    BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: KENNETH GWIRA

    BEST KATA: KENNETH GWIRA

    BEST WEAPONS: REGINALD GWIRA 

    BEST BREAKING: JUDE ADU AMANKWAH 

    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 


    1978

    BEST FIGHTER: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY

    BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: JAMES HANSEN-SACKEY

    BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: PATRICK ADU AMANKWAH 

    BEST WELTERWEIGHT: BERNARD RAWLINS 

    BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: ARNOLD MATE KOJO 

    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 

    GOJU PRIZE: JAMES QUARSHIE 


    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 


    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 


    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: OSCAR CORRALES


    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.

    Copyright © African Goju/South American Goju


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