An 82 year-old man from north Watford passed his black belt grading on Sunday after a gruelling three-hour test.

Dennis Redrup, 82, of Cecil Street trains three times a week and passed his black belt grading in Shotokan Karate on Sunday, December 7, after completing a series of combinations and sparring with two people at once during a three-hour grading.

Dennis said: "I was absolutely drained. I was elated and surprised I managed it.

"I had to do different combinations, fight two people at the same time for five minutes and complete a written examination, so in total, it was a three hour examination.

M.K. Ginder and Sons, where the 82-year-old works, threw a surprise celebration party for him after saying he should bring his Gi into work for a photograph to go on the firms’ wall, alongside the Abbots Langley carnival pictures.

Watford Observer:

Yet, despite his age, Mr Redrup said he was used to the intensity of the training and would continue for as long as he can.

He added: "Over the five years, you get used to. It was very tough at first, I did not start until I was 77, but I have always kept myself fit, with a bit of weight training.

"You acclimatise yourself to it [the training]. There are many techniques to learn and different Katas. As you progress, you learn more techniques and what is behind it all."

Dennis is also an assistant instructor at his karate club.

Mr Redrup used to split his time between two careers - working for the railway service as a senior supervisor and in the funeral industry.

In 1954 he met his wife Maud, who he was introduced to at a darts match. The couple married in 1956 and had two children, John and Paul.

At the age of 69, instead of retiring, he took up work at M K Ginder and sons, where he still works as a funeral director. His wife Maud died from cancer 20 years ago.