SPBS, 10th, July 2018 -- In keeping with its theme “Playing to Win”, SPBS has decided to honor ten (10) sports enthusiasts from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis at its 21st Anniversary banquet to be held in NY on September 1, 2018. Today we present a Taekwondo Master who began his craft many years ago in Sandy Point. It is a rare feat and we believe the only national inducted to a reputable Hall of Fame institution due to his personal accomplishments and overall contributions to his sport – Taekwondo.
Master Alwyn Antony Richards, a benevolent Taekwondo Master, a two-time Hall of Famer, a Bryan University graduate, who earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science as a Certified Professional Trainer, a Certified Specialist for Youth & Senior programs for National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He is Founder of the St. Kitts & Nevis Taekwondo Karate Schools, and Montserrat Taekwondo Karate Schools.
Master Richards aka Ala Rito, was born in the town of Sandy Point, St. Kitts as a proud “Ghaut-man”. Alwyn comes from a large family, six brothers, and three sisters. Many of his brothers are well-known in the Sandy Point community, Cecil (Piggy), Roy, Arthur and St Clair, and his two older brothers who resided in the UK, Sydney, and the late Albert (Sour). Alwyn’s sisters are Beatrice aka Ms. Willy, Ionie and Edna (both deceased).
Ala Rito also created his own family with three children; Marissa, Crystil and Alwyn Jr., plus two grandchildren, Anthony and Kamiyah.
Alwyn attended the Sandy Point old boys school and the Sandy Point High School and finished high school in 1973. Ala Rito dreamt of being a great leader or an instructor.
In 1974, Alwyn founded the Sandy Point Martial Arts and Dramatic Society (SPOMADS) and as its first president. However, in 1976, Alwyn moved to St. Maarten, and in 1978 began his Taekwondo training under the instruction of Romero Hyman. Alwyn pursued his 1st Dan Black Belt in May 1982 and became the first official black belt instructor of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
In September 1982, the first official Taekwondo Karate School opened in Sandy Point. A few weeks later the Basseterre Taekwondo School, then four other schools throughout the island. In January 1983, the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Taekwondo School was opened. In April 1983, Nevis Taekwondo Karate School was opened. Master Richards also instructed Taekwondo in all the high schools in St. Kitts & Nevis, namely, Sandy Point High, Basseterre High, Cayon High, and Charlestown High.
In 1987 the Montserrat Taekwondo School was established. With his overachieving mentality and with multiple schools on the rise, Master Richards wouldn’t be successful without the assistance of his appointed advisors; Mr. Calvin Farrier, President of the St. Kitts Taekwondo School, Mr. Vance Amory, President of the Nevis Taekwondo School and Attorney David Brandt, President of the Montserrat Taekwondo School.
Master Richards, Founder & Director of Edu-Kwondo, the Educational Taekwondo.
In 1984, while teaching at the Ross University, Master Richards decided to enhance his passion by changing the name from Taekwondo to Edu-Kwondo which means “Educational Taekwondo.” However, the crossover became more popular in the USA. The first Edu-Kwondo School was open four years later after his arrival in New York City. Edu-Kwondo was opened to the public and was very diverse. Edu-Kwondo was also the first martial arts school to display or hang the flag of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. The curriculum of Educational Taekwondo upgraded as an enrichment program for all academical levels, and in 2006 it became an after-school program at Columbus High School in the Bronx, NY.
Edu-Kwondo taught students to develop quick thinking and better anticipation; at Columbus High, it reduced bullying and encouraged students academically. In 2008-2010 Master Richards held one of his biggest all women workout classes in self-defense at Lucille Roberts on Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY. Educational Taekwondo also became part of the curriculum at Democracy Prep Charter Schools in 2010 until 2013. Master Richards instructed Edu-Kwondo at several different schools for the company, although taekwondo was the major enrichment program for all schools. Throughout his time at Democracy Charter Prep, Master Richards also appeared on the Korean Newspaper Headline on several occasions.
Master Alwyn Antony Richards is proud to have been the first Kittitian to have led a martial arts tournament team that represented the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. In 1983 and 1985, the team won a championship in St. Maarten & St Martin, in 1985 the Caribbean Championship in Antigua and Barbuda. Also, in 1986 the Caribbean Championship in St. Croix, USVI. In 1991, Master Richards represented the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis in Long Island, New York and won 1st place.
In 2011, Master Richards was honored, with the Best Master Award at a Metro Open Championship. In 2012 he was honored with the American Best Master Award at the All-American Championship in New Jersy. Master Richards was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in September 2017 in NY. Also, in November 2017, USA International Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh, PA, honored him with the Golden Achievement Award for having over 44 years of experience in Martial Arts. Finally, Master Richards has been nominated to receive the Best Master Instructor Award in November 2018, in Pittsburg, PA.
Alwyn “Ala Rito” Richards is a martial arts Legend and a proud Sandy Pointer.
“The Steps of a Good Man are Ordered by The Lord” (Psalm 37: v 23)
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