Fighters Showcase Courageous Efforts at Annual Karate Grading

A full contact free sparring session concluded a grueling five-hour grading and belt examination program for the East Gate Karate Academy dojo on Sunday, 30th November 2025.

The club’s second kyu brown belt holders, Tony Mitu Jr and John Nelson, faced off with three senior belt holders and four other fellow students to complete their testing.

Mitu and Nelson were among 19 Karate male and female students who were tested in the Shotokan Karate syllabus.

Karatekas as young as six years old to seniors at 30 years and above were tested on their techniques, skills, fitness, and focus.

In this group were six students with yellow belts, nine orange, three green, one blue, and two brown belt holders. Each putting in the effort to try and progress to the next rank up with the associated belt color.

This is the dojo’s fourth annual grading in as many years since the club’s establishment in 2021. The event is part of the traditional system of reviewing progress and ranking for students based on their ability, technical knowledge, and understanding of Karate.

Head of East Gate Karate Academy, Julius Piku Sensei, was pleased with the performance of his students. He said that the students had been training faithfully for the whole year and their hard work was reflected during the grading.

He made special mention of John Nelson, who transitioned from Shito Ryu, another style of Karate, to the Shotokan system.

“John has adapted well since moving to Port Moresby and settling into training with our dojo. I am pleased with his performance. He has worked hard, and it was good to see him make the transition successfully,” said Sensei Julius.

He explained that John had initially received his brown belt from his previous club but as a courtesy in traditional karate, he was given the opportunity to hold that rank in his new club instead of starting as a beginner. However, he was required to train and be re-graded within the syllabus of the new style.

Whilst John will continue his progression, Mitu will join two other brown belt holders, Andrew Molen and Patrick Kassamento, to test for their shodan (first dan black belts) in early 2025. If successful, they will become the first black belt holders for East Gate Karate Academy.

“We are now preparing for the next grading for our seniors going for their black belt examination next year. We're looking forward to an active calendar in 2026,” said Sensei Julius.

East Gate Karate Academy thanks Ekere Project Management LTD and Spartans PNG for the partnership collaboration. We also thank our students, friends, and families for their support in cash and kind towards the dojo as we continue to reach out to the community.

“We're not here for recognition, we’re here for a purpose,” added Sensei Julius.

He also acknowledged the head of style of the Shotokan Karate Budokai (SKB) system, Sensei Trevor Roberts, and his team at their headquarters in Brisbane for his mentorship.

The club welcomes anyone who wishes to learn both traditional and sports Karate and is now taking membership registration for next year.

Interested people can contact the dojo on our Facebook page or visit us at Savannah Heights. We are located on the first floor of Stratos Tower, West Wing. Look for the F-45 signage.