Karate aces have a belting day (From Watford Observer)
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Karate aces have a belting day
10:42am Tuesday 12th May 2009 in News
Will Matthews, Bernie Biel, Rene Deliege, Charlie Blake, Steve Tooke, Patrik Biel, Daniel Blake and Tomasz Biel. Missing from the pic is Roy Kirby who gained 4th Dan
Nine martial artists are celebrating after kicking and punching their way to highly coveted black belt status.
The fighters, all members of Rickmansworth’s Three Valleys Goju-Ryu Karate club, travelled to Wigan last week to prove their worth in front of demanding examiners.
Performing in front of master Tony Christian, the highest ranking Goju-Ryu (Hard-Soft) instructor in the UK, each passed with flying colours.
Eight received their first degree belts, with one other receiving his fourth degree belt.
Proud instructor Steve Johnson, who welcomes both children and adults to the club’s HQ at the Old Mill Social Club, said: “The main aim of Karate is the development of the character through diligent and hard training.
“This grading perfectly showed the strength of character of all who took part.”
The club holds lessons for both sexes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
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