Some seventy-nine karatekas were successful when  grading examinations were conducted recently by  8th Dan Japanese-American Master Shojiro Koyama while only three students failed to improve on their original ratings.

The examinations were carried out by the Japan Karate Association/World Federation (JKA/WF) Guyana last week at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In the promotions from brown belt (1st kyu) to black belt (1st Dan) five of the seven karatekas were successful with Jairaj Chandrica, Stephanie Kerry, Stephen Michael, Prince Roberts and Christopher Wadell being promoted.

In other promotions four of five karatekas were promoted to 3rd brown, both  candidates moved up to 2nd brown and all five contestants secured 1st brown. In addition all of the six candidates were successful in gaining  the 2nd purple belt while all of the four contestants received their 1st purple belt.  Meanwhile, in one of the largest categories fourteen candidates successfully went through their paces to earn the green belt while nine karatekas received the orange belt. In the largest category thirty beginners received the yellow belt from the 73-year-old master who is also the founding director of the JKA/WF America.

Master Koyama also put on a show for the young karatekas exhibiting creditable flexibility and strength. During his brief stint here he also conducted a special training clinic for the JKA/WF Guyana at the National Park.

The eighty-two karatekas who underwent the examination were the first batch to do so under the new parent organization, the JKA/WF America.

Speaking at the presentation Sensei Christopher Chavez in handing out the certificates to the graduates up to 3rd brown belt told them that practice will make them more successful.