Seventeen students took part in this grading, with five black belts, a ShoDanBo and a red belt with three tips assisting awarded.

Of those seventeen, six were at their first grading and they were magnificent in their efforts.

Isaac Ryffel crossed over from kickboxing and brought some good stuff with him.

He progressed to yellow belt ‘three tip’ in a confirmation grading.

Jade and Faith Dorrian excelled in their performance, showing excellent focus throughout.

Lily Galvin and Emily Tredinnick were terrific in all they did, and Layam Buchanan showed how enthusiasm and athleticism can overcome inexperience by putting in a sterling effort.

We called on Layam to spar a blue belt and he went really well. Carlin McAlister last graded back in 2006 when he was just starting and fairly small. Now, the lanky and tall young fellow strolled through a variety of techniques with quiet aplomb.

Logan Ned, Amelia Telford and Michael Kennedy were hoping to gain their yellow three tips.

Logan was very strong in all his techniques, Amelia knows how to do it but isn’t too keen on hurting anyone and Michael was brave until illness forced him to withdraw.

Thankfully, our Head Instructor Mr Murray Hicks is also Michael’s class Instructor, so Michael can finish his grading at his next lesson.

Lawson Tinmouth was also determined to grade, so much so that he attended as many Sunday Sessions as he could to refine his techniques.

So successful was Lawso that he was rewarded with a double grading and is now a proud blue belt. We had three other really diverse students going for their blue belts: Ellesia James, tamara Pitt-Pickvance and Brett Moore.

Ellesia James is just five or six, cute as can be and packs a power punch. Tamara Pitt-Pickvance is elegance personified, a slim young lady with fantastic flexibility.