On Friday, April 29th, 2011 several members of Bissett Jiu-Jitsu received black belts and black belt upgrades.  The recipients were tested by Kyoshi Chris Bissett, head of style for Canada, and received their awards at a ceremony following testing at the Southport Recreation Centre. 
    Angela Green and Alyssa Hill of Portage Jiu-Jitsu received their first degree black belts.  At 17 Alyssa Hill is the youngest person to have ever received this designation in the history of Bissett Jiu-Jitsu. Andrew Silk of Kenora Jiu-Jitsu received his second degree black belt.   Ron Brown of Portage Jiu-Jitsu received his third degree black belt and was also awarded the official designation of 'Sensei' (teacher).  Duane Starr of Kenora Jiu-Jitsu received his third degree as well. 
     Kyoshi Bissett also awarded the designation of 'Renshi' (Assistant Master) to Leith Saunders a third degree black belt from Portage Jiu-Jitsu.  Rick Williamson, a sixth degree black belt and head instructor for Portage Jiu-Jitsu, was awarded the title of 'Shihan' (Master).  On Saturday approximately 30 Jiu-Jitsu practioners took part in a full day of training and instructors' workshops.  

Photo Info Front Row (L to R)   Angela Green, Alyssa Hill Back Row (L to R)  Leith Saunders, Rick Williamson, Chris Bissett, Andrew Silk, Ron Brown    Missing:  Duane Starr

Back Row (L to R)  JR Sareault, Leith Saunders, Rick Williamson, Dave McLennan, Terry Henry, Chris Bissett
Middle Row (L to R)  Amy Lambert (Red), Dallas Kasto (Green), Mike Klaassen (Blue), Alicia Monster (Blue), Reighan Chiponski (Blue), Brody Fraser (Orange), Kailee-Rae Steiss (Blue), Veronica Ducharme (Blue)
Front Row (L to R)  Brie Chiponski (Orange), Keely Chiponski (Blue), Caro Haight (Orange), Troy Doherty (Blue), Carley Doherty (Orange), Jacy Ross (Orange)

Front Row (L to R):  Jake Matyasovzsky, Troy Doherty, Hudson Edwards, Nathaniel Kamphius, Brye Chiponski, Keely Chiponski
Middle Row:  Carro Haight, Micheal Klaassen, Josh Kelly, Alicia Monster, Jacy Ross, Arron Matyasovzsky, Reighan Chiponski, Carley Doherty
Back Row:  Ben Matyasovzsky, Veronica Ducharme, Nicky Adams, Brody Fraser, Jacob Kelly, Danny Cook, Kailee-Rae Delmage

Also tested:  Dallas Kasto, Tori Kasto (both orange belt) 

The first recipients of the Bissett Jiu-Jitsu of Portage Level One Kata award.  Testing for the award was held at the Southport Rec Centre on Sept. 30, 2010.
Back Row (L to R):  Ron Brown, Dave McLennan, Leith Saunders, JR Sareault
Kneeling:  Mark Sokolowski, Kevin Delorme (also received his orange belt)

The Te Waza, the Iron Kata and Levels Yellow, Orange and Green were the topics for Curriculum Camp 2010 held on August 27, 28 and 29, 2010 in Southport Manitoba.

Rob Nichol successfully tested for his Brown Belt in June 2010.  Shown here (l to r):  Rob Nichol, Dave Friesen (uke) and Sensei Rick Williamson

April 16, 17 and 18 saw approximately three dozen martial artists from across Western Canada taking part in a variety of Jiu-Jitsu and Tai-Jitsu sessions led by Shihan Chris Bissett.  Sunday, April 18th was also the launch of the new edition of the Bissett Jiu-Jitsu Student Handbook and Curriculum Guide.

On Friday, April 16th JR Sareault (left) and Terry Henry both received their 1st Degree Black Belts in Jishin-Do Jiu-Jitsu.   Years of training paid off for these members of  Portage Jiu-Jitsu when they were awarded their belts by Shihan Chris Bissett, an 8th degree black belt who is the head of this style of Jiu-Jitsu for Canada.  Wade Durham of Kenora Jiu-Jitsu also received his black belt.

       
Front  Row:  Cameron Tessier (yellow), Joshua Post (yellow), Conner Buchanan (yellow), Caitlyn Post (yellow), Leyton Bennet (orange), Keely Chiponski (orange), Mike Klaassen (orange), Troy Doherty (orange).

Middle Row:  Dallas Kasto (yellow), Alicia Monster, Cara Galarneau (brown), Matthew Galarneau (brown), Daphne Hamm (brown), Reighan Chiponski (orange), Ilia Mazor (orange), Amy Lambert (brown)

Back Row:  Veronica Ducharme (orange), Megane Tessier (Yellow), Tori Kasto (yellow), Kailee-Rae Delmage (orange), Keitlyn Delmage (orange), Frederique Tessier (yellow)

Front Row:  Mark Sokolowski (blue), Erin Hill (green), Angela Green (brown), Shelby Kopytko (orange), Kris Bowman (blue)

Middle Row:  Jimmy Manness (blue), Andy Chabot (blue), Jacob Sareault (yellow), Matthew White (orange)

Back Row:  James Friesen (yellow), Gord Haight (orange), Dave Friesen (green)

Left to Right:  Kenzie Green (Yellow), Brendan Unrau (Yellow)

Left to Right:  Zachary Ducharme (Yellow), Allysa Hill (Brown 1), Jaclynne Green (Green), Kevin Delorme (Yellow)

On Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 Sensei Leith Saunders became the first woman in Canada to receive a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Jishin-Do Jiu-Jitsu.  Shihan Chris Bissett (left), 8th Degree Black Belt and Chief Instructor of Jishin-Do Jiu-Jitsu in Canada, adjudicated Saunders' test.  Sensei Rick Williamson (right), 6th Degree Black Belt and Head Instructor for Portage Jiu-Jitsu, was also on hand to assist with the testing.

Belt Recipients:  (L to R)
Matthew White (Yellow)
JR Sareault (1st Brown)
Terry Henry (1st Brown)
Shelby Kopytko (Yellow)