There were smiles, high fives, and congratulations all around as belts and certificates from our first grading in 2025 were distributed on Saturday at the La Joya Dojo.

 

There was an understandable feeling of relief as students toiled through 12 weeks of preparation, making sure their techniques were up to standard for the exam.

 

The grading is part of our calendar of events which is in full swing for 2025, with the first Kata Course our most recent box ticked. 

 

Next up is our national junior tournament featuring karateka under the age of 12, and soon preparations for our second grading in August shall begin. 

 

There were notable performances from the exams among the students who passed. 

 

Shane Lu Choy, Sherisse Balkissoon, and Kayla-Marie (surname) were awarded a skip in rank. John-Matthias (surname), Jaedon Grant, Jenna Hussein and Seven Lu Choy, also left an impression during the exam, and have great potential for the future.

 

These students among others, are never missing on the floor, and exemplify the Japanese karate spirit with their willingness to learn and assist as well as train as hard as they could. 

 

The examination is a significant step toward our aspirations to develop students of all ages through the lens of Japanese karate, and by extension improving the standard of Trinidad karate one student at a time.

 

Thanks to the efforts of the grading committee, and club administration, we are pushing forward from a very successful 2024, and are looking forward to more for the remainder of this year.

 

SKIF Trinidad and Tobago is a local karate club that is affiliated to Shotokan Karate-do International Federation, and organisation with affiliates in more than 100 countries. Our branches include the main dojo in La Joya, as well as our satellite branches in Mount Lambert and Malabar.

​

10th May 2025