Grade time had by all as club students pass with flying colours
FOUR students from Ashington Karate Club have passed their latest dan gradings.
A grading was held in Sunderland, where more than 40 hopeful students undertook the examination for shodan (black belt) or nidan (second degree black belt).
The grading was taken by Sensei Andy Sherry, ninth dan (chief instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain) and Sensei Bob Poynton, eighth dan.
It focused on all three aspects of karate – kihon (basics), kata (set forms) and kumite (sparring).
Ehsan Baniyaghoob undertook the arduously-physical grading for shodan and passed on his first attempt.
Only half of the graders passed, with even less being first-time passes.
Louis Parsons, James De Vera and Evie Ackroyd all passed their Nidan grading, again at the first attempt.
Senior club instructor Sensei Jill Kelly says “Ehsan passed his shodan grading with a very strong performance throughout.
“Our students going for second dan - Evie, Louis and James - did well in their respective gradings.
“Although you can never be sure, Sensei Trish Bruce and I thought they deserved to pass - and they did. All their hard training paid off.
“The full pass rate for first-time graders is low and not everyone passes by a long way. “
Ashington Karate Club welcome new beginners on Saturdays at Ashington Leisure Centre (10.0011.30) and at Josephine Butler Campus on Thursdays (6.00-7..00).
Further information can be obtained by contacting Jill Kelly on 07930 324 556 or visiting www. ashingtonshotokankarate.co.uk.