Ten-Year-Old Boy Becomes Nigeria's Youngest-Ever Recipient of a Karate Black Belt

Aramide Makinde was still learning to express himself in full sentences, just over two years old, when he stumbled upon a life-changing experience at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, that would alter the trajectory of his young life.

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It was there that he witnessed a group of children in crisp white uniforms performing karate moves with precision and purpose, leaving him utterly captivated and eager to join in, as evident from his stuttering attempts to convey his desire to participate.

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Makinde's mother, Dr Elizabeth Makinde, recalls the day vividly, saying, "We came around to the National Stadium to just enjoy the fresh breeze, and he just saw the people wearing white, he was stuttering, and he said he wanted it."

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Eight years later, on a Saturday morning at the same National Stadium, Makinde, then 10, stood before his peers, coaches, family, and God, and received Nigeria's most historic karate black belt, becoming the youngest person ever to earn a black belt in karate in Nigeria.

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This achievement may stand the test of time, as black belts are not handed out but are earned through years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work that few can endure, let alone a child.

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Makinde's journey, from a curious toddler to a history-maker, was neither straightforward nor easy, as he trained under Coach Uchenna Duru at New Arrival Martial Arts Academy, located at the National Stadium where his love for the sport was first born.

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Coach Duru, a 4th Dan black belt, began working with Makinde when the boy was just two and recognized his potential, saying, "When I saw him the first time, I remembered one adage — if you want to go far, wake up early, I saw him as someone who wakes up early, and who wants to go far."

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For eight years, Makinde showed up to train every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday period, running countless laps, which he describes as his saddest moments in the sport, but he persisted.

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In 2020, when he was first covered by PUNCH Sports Extra, Makinde was a five-year-old orange belt with a confident demeanor, showcasing his mastery of the front and back stance, straight punching, and the front kick, drawing in passers-by who would stop to watch him train.

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At five, Makinde said, "I like karate as a sport because it is something that I can use to defend myself in times of danger, I even practice it in school when we are observing our sports break, I love karate, and I hope to win more medals in it."

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Now, Makinde speaks with a quiet certainty, saying, "Becoming the youngest black belt holder in Nigeria is the best moment of my karate journey, I worked so hard to get here and earn this."

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Behind every young athlete is a network of sacrifice, and Makinde's parents have given generously of their time, money, and energy since day one, with his mother, Dr Makinde, not missing a single training season.

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Makinde says, "My mummy always takes me to the dojo every Saturday and Sunday for practice," and adds that his role models in life are his parents, and his role model in sport is his Shian — his coach.

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His father, Adedayo Makinde, was present at the black belt ceremony and could barely contain his pride, saying, "I am very proud of him, and today I’m one of the happiest fathers, money cannot buy this; it takes a lot of sacrifice and doggedness to get to this point."

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Dr Elizabeth Makinde adds, "For me, this is hard work that paid off, a journey of resilience, tenacity, doggedness," and the family's commitment extended to a second child, as Aramide's younger brother Adedolapo earned his own green belt at the same grading ceremony at just seven years old.

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Makinde's godmother, Magdalene Osumah, summed up the achievement, saying, "One thing with him is he has been so consistent, he has never complained one day about coming to karate practice, from time to time, he’s always meeting up with all the milestones, I see him on the global stage definitely."

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Makinde says school has never clashed with karate, as weekdays are for the classroom and weekends and holidays belong to the dojo, and he has found a rhythm — and a dream to match it, saying, "I want to become a renowned karate legend and be in the history books."

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Coach Duru, who has watched Makinde grow from a two-year-old with wide eyes to a black belt in warrior's stillness, is certain there is far more to come, saying, "He is really a karate bomb ready to explode, Nigeria should watch out for him, the whole world will hear about him."

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For now, Makinde holds a black belt that no Nigerian child has ever held before him, and as his coach promises, it is only the beginning.