📸 Click Here To View The Grading Day Photo Gallery
🎥 Click Here To View The Awards Presentation Video
Thank you to Daniel Jackson and Craig Saunders for volunteering their time for photography / videography.
What an incredible way to finish the year!
On Saturday 29th November we held our End of Year Grading Day, kicking off with students attempting their full Black Belt ranks, followed by gradings for all ranks from Orange Belt right through to 3rd Dan Black Belt, with candidates working towards their next tip on the journey to 4th Dan.
The effort, focus and attitude shown on the floor were outstanding. Every student who stepped up to grade demonstrated the discipline, spirit and perseverance that sit at the heart of our martial arts community.
At 3:00pm we followed the grading with our Awards & Recognition Ceremony, where we celebrated not just technical achievement, but also commitment, character and contribution across the year.
Below is a full summary of the awards presented on the day.
🥋 Service Recognition – Years of Training
We recognised students and instructors for their long-term dedication to training and the All Stars community.
⭐ 5 Years of Training
- Joseph Fernandez (Bentleigh)
- Dean Skinner (Deniliquin)
- Cooper Bugg (Finley)
- Jackson Bugg (Finley)
- Ada Karahalios (Bentleigh)
⭐ 10 Years of Training
- Cristian Fernandez (Bentleigh)
- Rafael Fernandez (Bentleigh)
⭐ 15 Years of Training
- Shannon Norton (Bentleigh)
- Chaim Avinu (Bentleigh)
⭐ 20 Years of Training
- Andrew Zrajko (Bentleigh)
- Gerry Fernandez (Bentleigh)
- Rod Edwards (Bentleigh)
🛡 Bushido Crosses
These awards recognise exceptional spirit, character and commitment to our values.
- Rafael Fernandez (Bentleigh)
- Cristian Fernandez (Bentleigh)
- Daniel Younan (Bentleigh)
- Richard O’Sullivan (Bentleigh)
- Roy Shen (Bentleigh)
- Jake Harvey (Deniliquin)
- Noah Boribon (Pakenham)
- Reuben Boribon (Pakenham)
🏆 Club Trophies – Dojos
Bentleigh Dojo
- Most Improved Junior: Kristian Tsamoudakis
- Most Improved Senior: Frank Stelzer
- Most Consistent Junior: Tsz Ying Lam
- Most Consistent Senior: Adam Tabachowitz
- Most Improved Junior Kickboxing: Zidaan Motiwalla
- Most Improved Senior Kickboxing: Daniel Pallares
- Most Consistent Junior Kickboxing: Ari Umansky
- Most Consistent Senior Kickboxing: Brendan Grieve
Pakenham Dojo
- Most Improved Junior: Menudi Amaya Kahanda Gamage
- Most Improved Senior: Kristy Horan
- Most Consistent Junior: Andy Le-Phan
- Most Consistent Senior: Benjamin Harris
Deniliquin Dojo
- Most Improved Junior: Aiden Honey
- Most Improved Senior: Tyler Hillier
- Most Consistent Junior: Matilda Bootsman
- Most Consistent Senior: Matthew Manson
- Most Improved Junior Kickboxing: Nash Offord
- Most Improved Senior Kickboxing: Darcy Biggs
- Most Consistent Junior Kickboxing: Dean Skinner
- Most Consistent Senior Kickboxing: John Offord
Finley Dojo
- Most Improved Junior: Evelyn Marshall
- Most Improved Senior: Patrick Hibberd
- Most Consistent Junior: Sebastian Canas
- Most Consistent Senior: Cooper Bugg
🏫 Before School Karate Program Awards
St Joseph’s Primary School (Elsternwick)
- Most Improved Junior: Sebastian Breese
- Most Consistent Junior: Ryder Constable
St Joseph’s Primary School (Malvern)
- Most Improved Junior: Lucas Poynton
- Most Consistent Junior: Harrison Takle
St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School (Aspendale)
- Most Improved Junior: Alexander Coull
- Most Consistent Junior: Noah Durkin
Parkhill Primary School (Ashwood)
- Most Improved Junior: Karl Werdin
- Most Consistent Junior: Matilda Clisby-Meagher
St Columba’s Primary School (Elwood)
- Most Improved Junior: Anastasios Nastos
👊 Teaching Titles & Leadership Recognition
We also recognised key members of our teaching and leadership team with formal titles.
Senpai
- Senpai Kristy Yim (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Ava Hayes (Pakenham)
- Senpai Meera Jithin (Pakenham)
- Senpai Archer Bocskay (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Ada Karahalios (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Daniel Younan (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Leo Cerreto-Dillon (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Kristian Tsamoudakis (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Lachlan Bilston (Bentleigh)
- Senpai Tyler Hillier (Deniliquin)
Dai Senpai
- Dai Senpai Rod Edwards (Bentleigh)
- Dai Senpai Gianluca Gioffre (Bentleigh)
- Dai Senpai Annabelle Prowse (Bentleigh)
- Dai Senpai Thomas Marshall (Finley)
- Dai Senpai Kobie Nixon (Deniliquin)
Sensei
- Sensei Kaili Anderson (Deniliquin)
Kru
- Kru Adam Carroll (Bentleigh)
Shihan
- Shihan Andrew Zrajko (Bentleigh)
🌟 A Very Special Presentation
We concluded the ceremony with a truly historic moment for our organisation.
Our Chief Instructor, Soke Raffaele Lanciana, was awarded his 9th Dan Black Belt, presented by Kancho Rod Catterall, Kyoshi Daryl Davis and Kyoshi John Rizzo.
This honour recognises Soke’s over 50 years of contribution to the martial arts community, including:
- The thousands of black belts he has produced and guided
- The champion kickboxers he has trained
- The many martial artists who now lead their own organisations thanks to his influence and mentorship
It was an emotional and inspirational moment that reminded us all what a lifetime of dedication, humility and service to others can achieve.
We hope everyone has a merry Christmas and happy new year.
Rod Catterall & The All Stars Team
All Stars Martial Arts Academy Pty Ltd
p: 03 9579 0800
e: info@allstarsdefence.com.au w: www.allstarsdefence.com.au
