THE Japan Karate Association (JKA) of Guyana again impressed parents and spectators in attendance at its sixth and final grading exercise for this year held last Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, where 97 students were graded.
A record high of 97 students were graded under the keen and watchful eyes of 6th Dan – Japanese Class ‘A’ Instructor and Judge Mr Yasuaki Nagatomo, who flew into Guyana on Saturday morning.
Sensei Nagatomo conducted the grading exercise with assistance from local Chief Instructor of JKA/WF Guyana – Sensei Christopher Chaves (4th Dan), Instructor Marvin Singh (2nd Dan) and Senior Member – Jennifer Cyrus (3rd Dan).  
After testing the students who hailed from the National Park, New Amsterdam and Port Mourant Dojos, Sensei Nagatomo expressed satisfaction with the improvements he saw in the standard of the local karatekas since his last visit in May and encouraged all members to train harder to maintain the integrity of this rich Japanese heritage.
He was particularly pleased with the performance of the beginner ranks (White to Orange belts) and encouraged all to work harder to become good senior ranks.
Of the 97 students tested by Sensei Nagatomo, there were 29 White belts, 16 Yellow belts, 13 Orange belts, 7 Green belts, 20 Purple belts (8 – 5th kyu and 12 – 4th Kyu) and 12 Brown belts (6 – 3rd Kyu, 5 – 2nd Kyu); with 11-year-old Storm Katchay as the lone 1st Kyu Brown belt to test for Black belt (Shodan). 
Immediately after grading, Sensei Nagatomo conducted a training clinic on self-defence tactics, schooling the students and impressing the audience with his charisma and effectiveness of the simple-to-execute techniques he demonstrated.  
He re-emphasised the need for training and discipline and challenged the brown and black belt karatekas to train even harder as they will be the mould that will shape the image of what the JKA standard must depict.  
Sensei Nagatomo did not fail to remind all present that the JKA’s way is without compromising standards, technique, training and integrity.
The JKA/WF Guyana was very happy to again have had as its examiner the Operations Officer of its parent organisation. The Japan Karate Association/World Federation America is the USA’s official branch of the Japan Karate Association – World Federation in Japan. 
The day concluded with a get-together for Sensei Nagatomo and members of the JKA/WF Guyana in the evening at the Olympic House lawns, Main Street, Kingston where post-examination relaxation with interaction was held. 
Mr Nagatomo was very happy to experience the warm and friendly hospitable ways of our Guyanese people and certainly enjoyed our local Creole dishes.
The operating committee and students of the Japan Karate Association of Guyana extended special thanks to the Operating Directors of the JKA/WF America, The National Sports Commission, The Guyana Olympic Association, parents and supporters for making the examination a success.