Grantham Shotokan Karate Club’s David Anderson attended a Dan grading examination with the British Karate Association in Manchester, with Sensei Brian Seabright (7th Dan) and a panel of 4th and 5th Dan instructors.
After an extremely demanding test of basic techniques (kihon), sparring (kumite) and forms (kata), David was awarded his second degree black belt (2nd Dan).
Other successful Grantham students were David Anderson, John Winter, Beth Frankcom, Jonathan Mellors, Rachael Hobster, Scott Howitt, Emma Jackson, Andrew Murr, Matthew Murr, Mark Fells, Sean Marsh, Jacob Neale, Elvis Williams, Molly Fells, Caz Neale, Thomas Neale, Theo Fells, Tim Young, Jon Henderson, Owen Goulding, Ethan Wen-Lefman, Olin Wen-Lefman, Oliver Durant, Jack Street, Paula Winter, Louis Piggott, Amelie Piggott, George Russell, Oliver Marsh, Jack Young, Ben Filby, Mitch Jewitt, Luke Thompson and William George.
Club chief instructor Geoff Dixon (5th Dan) said: “We are extremely proud of everyone this weekend, our students have trained hard for these gradings and their efforts have clearly paid off, which can be seen in the results we have achieved.”
l Members from Grantham Shotokan Karate Club travelled to Lincoln on Sunday to train with clubs from Bingham, Kettering and Grimsby on a special training course with guest instructor Sensei Shane Balmer (5th Dan).
Shane has more than 40 years’ martial arts experience that not only includes karate, but also judo, boxing and wrestling, and he is chief instructor to the Rokakai Karate Organisation.
More than 80 people attended the course that looked at techniques to improve flexibility, kicking and power, as well as incorporating different strategies for self-defence.
l Grantham Shotokan train on Sundays and Tuesdays at Allington and Bottesford Village Halls respectively. For more details contact Elizabeth on 07546 203682 or e-mail grantham.karate@btinternet.com Alternatively visit www.grantham-shotokankarate.moonfruit.co.uk/