Suprintendent Kelepi Tukana ( sitted fourth left), with senior officers after the graduation of the  Hapkido Black belt
at the old Grand Pacific Hotel.

Eleven prison wardens who received their black belts in Hapkido after six months of grueling training at the Republic of Fiji Military Camp in Nabua got a special mention from their trainer black belt third dan Master Pita Ramasima

The 11 prison officers who graduated with 58 military and 9 police personnel at the old Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva were commended for the huge improvements by a batch of officers from the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Service.

“There have been big improvements from the officers of the prison service and I attribute this to the Corrections Academy.

“What can be seen is that people coming from the prisons have some knowledge of the art and this reflects the recruitment and training carried out by the Corrections Academy.”

FPCS Public Relations Officer Fred Elbourne said that what Master Ramasima is true, as all new recruits are taught basic hapkido and the Academy also conducts basic two weeks course for prison officers throughout the year.

This, Elbourne said is in line with the Commissioner of Prisons and Corrections Service Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua’s intent that all prison officers are physically fit to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.

“This is in line with our motto for 2010 “the relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Bestowing the black belts to the 78 officers was Black Belt 6th Dan Master Sung-Ki  Jeong of Korean.

The martial arts expert who has been in Fiji for 6 years said that attainting the black belt was no easy feat and he was surprised that all 78 students, passed.

“To get a black belt means sweat and blood and this is what I saw.

“Some of you I could see were hurt and shed blood, but you managed to pass, a person receiving a black belt displays great spirit.

Master Jeong told the graduated that hapkido was about health and attitude.

The Permanent Secretary of Finance Mr John Prasad was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony.