LAUINRBURG — Supreet Goraya, 16, was recently awarded the 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-do at the Laurinburg Karate Club’s promotion examination. Goraya is the daughter of Bobby and Aman Goraya of Laurinburg. Supreet’s brother, Sammar Goraya, holds a Blue Belt at the club. Supreet is a senior at Scotland Early College High School and plans to continue working towards her 2nd Degree Black belt while mastering the sword and other weapons at the club.

Nicholas Murphy, 13, was awarded the rank of Junior Black Belt at the same promotion examination. Nicholas is the son of Michael Murphy and Luanne Murphy of Laurinburg, and is in the 8th grade at Spring Hill Middle School. Murphy plans to continue his training at the club while working towards his 1st Degree Black Belt.

The club’s master instructor, Mike Durkin, evaluated Goraya and Murphy, who tested together, and were both required to correctly answer advanced knowledge questions on Taekwon-do. They both successfully performed nine forms (patterns of movements), demonstrated advanced level empty-hand and knife defense, takedowns, fighting ability against a black belt and completed several advanced board-breaking techniques.

Supreet Goraya and Nicholas Murphy were awarded black belts after being evaluated by Laurinburg Karate Club master instructor Mike Durkin.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_May-thru-Oct-2015-330-2-.jpgSupreet Goraya and Nicholas Murphy were awarded black belts after being evaluated by Laurinburg Karate Club master instructor Mike Durkin. Contributed photo

Staff report