Double joy for black belts

Sensei Kirkwood praises successful 22

Hard work and dedication over the years has paid off for Hamilton Shotokan members Rachel Gallacher (12) and Ross Alexander (9) as they passed their black belt 1st Dan gradings.

Karate runs in the family for Ross, as his dad Paul and brother Callum are 2nd Dans at the club, while younger sister Zara is a green belt.

Rachel has also shown incredible dedication. Like Ross she trains three nights a week at the South Lanarkshire Lifestyles club. Sensei Jim Kirkwood, a 5th Dan, said:“ross has gone right through the gradings and never failed. He has gone from white to black belt in four years which is incredible.

“Rachel has shown tremendous effort, the effort she puts in is tremendous and she is very dedicated, her karate is first-class.

“I’m really pleased for both of them. Getting your black belt is not easy. It involved a lot of hard work to get to that level and there’s a lot of pressure.”

Hamilton Shotokan head instructor Jim Kirkwood praised several of his students after they passed their gradings with flying colours.

Twenty students at the club, which is based at South Lanarkshire Lifestyles in Fairhill, came through their examinations.

Sensei Kirkwood, a 5th Dan, said: “Everyone has done exceptionally well and it shows that hard work really does pay off. The grade and the quality was first-class.

“Everyone passing their gradings, plus Rachel Gallacher and Ross Alexander who passed their black belt 1st Dan gradings, have shown others what is achievable and myself and the other instructors were very impressed with everybody.

“The two that passed their black belts were excellent.

“Any people who sit their black belt have to put in a lot of effort and they have to be ready.

“It’s a training course plus a grading and you have to be really ready for it.

“We are all looking forward to the next grading which is in March.” Gradings were: Red belt (9th kyu): Lex Gallo, Luca Gallo, Daniel Reekie, Dasha Reekie, Zara Murray and Rory Savage.

Orange belt (8th kyu): Cole Cochrane, Melissa Moore, Charlotte Nelson, Carys O’neill, Louis Hutton.

Yellow belt (7th kyu): Zahwa Zeeshan, Eishan Zeeshan.

Green belt (6th kyu): James Ashton, Zara Alexander.

Purple (5th kyu): Robbie Ashton, Mia Ashton.

Purple and white belt (4th kyu): Jessica Verdi.

Brown belt (3rd kyu): Kristoffer Murdoch.

Brown belt (2nd kyu): Aydin Mcmahon.

Anybody who would like to join Hamilton Shotokan Karate Club can call Jim Kirkwood on 07719 323552, 01698 32566 or visit www. hamiltonshotokan.co.uk.

Training classes run three times a week at South Lanarkshire Lifestyles in Fairhill, Hamilton, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6.30pm-7.30pm for all ages and gradings. On Wednesdays its optional whether students want to train until 8pm.

Beginners are always welcome and can start as young as age five.

The first four lessons are free, so there’s no cost up front, meaning students can give karate a try without committing.