It was second time lucky for sensei Raveen Dayaram, who proudly earned his nidan (second-degree black belt) on October 25 – a milestone that proved both his perseverance and passion for karate.

After falling short in his first attempt, the Lotus Karate Club instructor returned to the dojo with renewed focus and determination. He spent months refining his mental discipline and drawing strength from the lessons of failure.

“When I first went for my shodan grading, I failed. But I went back and got it. When I went for my nidan grading for the first time, I failed. But I went back and got it. They say karate starts when you are a black belt. I really understood what this meant when I achieved my second dan,” he said.

When grading day arrived, the Parkrand-based instructor delivered a confident performance that reflected his growth, not just as a karateka, but as a mentor and lifelong student of the art.

“I had to fight three guys for one minute each. Towards the end of my last fight, I got punched hard in my right set of ribs and was getting airlocked, and I heard my sensei screaming, ‘Fight! Fight’. I sucked up all the air that I could and continued fighting because I had to complete my fights to pass my grading.”

The second dan said this grading has changed his life, adding he couldn’t have achieved it without the relentless support of his family and students.

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