Dear Editor,
Regarding the publication of the report titled ‘Grandmaster wants to see Guyana compete internationally in Judo’ on page twenty-three of the Friday, February 22 edition of the Stabroek News by Duncan Saul, I would like to use this opportunity to point out to the public that the actual title of ‘Grandmaster’ unlike in other forms of martial arts, does not exist in Judo. However, a Judoka may, over time, after distinguishing himself from his peers and having attained a minimum rank of 9th Dan be referred to as either ‘Master’ or ‘Shihan,’ although it is very rare that a Judoka could ever achieve the title of ‘Shihan’ because of the fact that the founder of Judo himself used that title. Therefore, it would be normal to refer a very high-ranking Judoka as either ‘master’ when speaking to him or by his Judo rank (eg, Judan Tom Jones) when talking or writing about him. It is more commonplace, however, to refer to him simply as ‘Sensei.’
Yours faithfully,
Bruce Fraser 2nd Dan
Head Instructor
Rising Sun Judo Club
