Last Saturday the Carnalea Karate Club held a course and grading assessment. The course, run by senior coach Kevin Lewis covered basics, kicking combinations and self defence techniques. Senior students were also put through additional practice of their blocking sequences for their grading.

Ninety eight percent of the students successfully achieved their grade on the day and were particularly pleased to be presented with their new belts.

In the junior grades there were great performances from Courtney Majury, Curtis Shaw, Kate, Sarah and Sean Keenan. In the intermediates both Tommy Sinnerton and Claire McPeake produced excellent performances.

The club was delighted that three new brown belts were awarded. The first two going to Neil Bailie and Kurtis Kane, who were awarded with 3 rd Kyu brown belt mon (under sixteen level).

The third going to 12 year old Glen Bailie who became the first junior from the club to go straight from a purple to a full adult brown belt. Coach David Brashaw explained “Glen was put through the senior syllabus for his brown belt and scored top marks in ten categories. Add this to Glen's bronze success at the Higashi Open tournament in Reading last week, where he produced an inspired performance in the semi-final loosing out narrowly to his English opponent; this is a remarkable achievement.”

As always there will be no respite for many students in the club, as they will be competing in the North West Open championship this Saturday. Following that, the students will start training for the annual Basho (tournament) which is due to take place in early May.