THE COMBINED Dojos of the Japan Karate Association/World Federation Guyana held their first grading exercise for 2014 last Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where a total of 112 members were tested for promotion.Twelve (12) out of that amount were testing for advanced ranks – 7 tested for Shodan (1st degree Black belt), 4 for Nidan (2nd degree Black belt) and 1 for Sandan (3rd degree Black belt).
This grading exercise was conducted under the watchful eyes of Japanese exponent in 6th Dan Sensei Yasuaki Nagatomo, who is also Chief Instructor of JKA New Mexico, and was flown in by JKA/WF Guyana the previous day, from the mountain state, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
JKA/WF Guyana treated all its members present to a training clinic done by Sensei Nagatomo prior to them being graded and a second clinic for all Black belts afterwards, with both clinics being filled with insights and covered much of the JKA’s syllabus and technical knowledge, while Sensei Nagatomo’s charisma didn’t only resonate with the students but the spectators present.

In attendance was the honorable consul to Japan, Kashir Khan, Mrs. Simone Nurse (headmistress of Mae’s Primary School Annex) Ganpat Sahai and members of the media, all of whom reserved VIP seating.

As the grading commenced, the Dan ranks were tested first and those who were successful at the Shodan promotions were two adults in Abdur Kellman and the lone female Christina Chaves along with teenagers Jordon Denny and Andy Sam-Reddy from Berbice.
Marlon George, Shermon Best formerly Kyte and teenager Shaqueel Amin also put in a clinical performance to be promoted to Nidan rank, with lone assistant instructor Sensei Marvin Singh testing positively for his promotion as well, making a great impression on Sensei Nagatomo.
Following these, the Kyu ranks (coloured belts) were tested, who performed exceptional and were tested on the same 3 facets – Kihon, Kata and Kumite and promotion results for these ranks can be viewed on JKA/WF Guyana website – www.jkawfguyana.tk.

The parents and head teacher of their newly added Dojo – Mae’s Primary School Annex, Millington Street, eagerly waited to see their kids perform for the first time and were pleased, being impressed with the organisation and the way everything was conducted.
Members from their Port Mourant and Canje Dojo’s travelled to Georgetown to be graded, even as members from Craig East Bank Demerara were also present.
At the completion of the grading, Sensei Nagatomo expressed his continued satisfaction with the membership of JKA/WF Guyana for keeping and practising acceptable JKA standards and applauded their efforts made thus far and spoke into the scalable potential of this territory.