Sixty-six Karatekas passed the World Class Japanese Karate Exponent (JKA/WF) Guyana grading exams which were held on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The examinations were conducted by JKA’s 6th Dan, License ‘A’ Class Judge and Instructor, Japanese Sensei Yasuaki Nagatomo who arrived in Guyana on Saturday and left the following day.
Montel Trotman and Randolph Singh attained the highest promotion in achieving their Black belt.
Two students were promoted from 3rd to 2nd Kyu Brown belt and eight students were also promoted to the rank of 3rd Kyu Brown belt from 4th Kyu Purple.
The Purple belt ranking saw five students being promoted from 5th to 4th Kyu, while 15 students were promoted from Green to Purple belt.
Promotions continued with seven students earning the Green belt from Orange, six Yellow belt students were promoted to Orange while 21 students moved up to the rank of Yellow belt from the beginner’s stage – White belt.
The highlight of this grading was the promotion of Montel Trotman and Randolph Singh who successfully attained Shodan (1st Dan) Black belt from 1st Kyu Brown.
Chief Instructor of JKA/WF Guyana, Sensei Christopher Chaves was pleased to host the international examiner.
A special training clinic was conducted after grading by Sensei Nagatomo for all members of the JKA/WF Guyana.
Students, parents and spectators were impressed at the knowledge and skill displayed by the very charismatic sensei.
Sensei Nagatomo focused on the technical development of local karatekas to bring them on par with international standards.
The grading exam was also attended by students of the affiliated Port Mourant Dojo in Berbice who performed extremely well.
Sensei Chaves congratulated the students on their successes while gratitude was extended to the National Sports Commission as well as members and supporters of the JKA/WF Guyana for making this event possible.
