Sensei awarded fifth dan ranking at prizegiving
Addressing the karatekas and their parents, Sensei Dusty said even though the year had been tough for the combat sport, the quality levels had not been compromised.
WOODLANDS Dojo held its last grading of the year at the Woodlands Sports Club. As usual, karatekas brought their best feet forward and demonstrated high standard abilities.
A prize-giving ceremony was held later in the same, where Sensei Dusty Miller said his highlight at the event was presenting Sensei Sash Bagwandeen with his fifth dan certificate.
“This was given on behalf of the international head of our style. Sensei Sash joined the dojo when he was just a teenager. I witnessed his rise from a white belt all the way to his fifth dan.
“We have mutual respect for one another and when he thinks I am wrong, he lets me know. This is what one needs, not yes men,” he said.
Addressing the karatekas and their parents, Sensei Dusty said even though the year had been tough for the combat sport, the quality levels had not been compromised.
To get ahead of the stop and goes of the lockdown, they had to look at the picture holistically, he said.
“I must congratulate you all for what you have done under the conditions. Some excelled, some not so much but Sensei Sash and I don’t just look at now, we look at how the karatekas have been progressing.
“Going forward next year, we’re going to, as normal, raise the bar. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we do not accept mediocracy. This is why we’re always at the top at tournaments because of the effort we insist on from our students,” he said.
After the handing out of the floating trophies and everyone enjoyed a sit-down supper. The sensei gave a special thanks to all the parents who helped make the evening the success it was.
