Alex Rodrigues, Nyota Rodrigues, Xavier Arjoon, Shawn Naughton and Shaun Singh graduated to the Shodan level last Saturday when the Japan Karate Association/World Federation (JKA/WF) grading concluded at the dojo’s headquarters, National Park, Thomas Lands Georgetown.
A record high total of 99 students were tested by Sensei Yasuaki Nagatomo who is the Operating Director of the JKA/WF US and Chief Instructor of the JKA in New Mexico. Eighty students were from the JKA/WF (including seven from the newly formed dojo located at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 19 were from the Port Mourant and Canje dojos in Berbice.
The Rodrigues siblings were dubbed best sparring pair for the Shodan test. Thirteen-year-old Alex
