STudents from Ilkley Karate Club had plenty to celebrate at the recent grading examinations held at the Ben Rhydding Methodist Church in Ilkley.

Thirty students young and old (20 children and ten adults) were graded by Sensei Stan Knighton (8th Dan) who travels from Sheffield and is a former World and European Champion. Sensei Knighton is one of highest ranked karate-ka in the UK, and a pass mark awarded by him is one well respected in the karate world.

Club instructor Mark Outterside (5th dan) feels that his students receive a less biased and objective pass mark by getting the top man to assess his students he also feels that he gets the best out of his students.

Mark was highly impressed with everyone's performance on the night, as the standard set was very high especially when most of the children were under 13 years of age.

Mark singled out the performances of Joshua Burns (11), Sally Bridgewater (12), Tashina Earle (10), Hannah Hartley (11) and adults Andrew Drury and Chris Harris.

Connor Thatcher, Jacob Burns, Liam Scott and adults Damon Bowles and Jonathan Hinds all gained the grain of yellow belt tab.

Joshua Burns, Sally Bridgewater and Rosie Bridgewater passed the grade of orange belt tab with some impressive marks.

Lewis Walker, Bradley Chapman and Thomas Scott and adults Ghazala Malik, Andrew Drury, Gillian Balfour and Rachel Naylor passed the grade of 6th kyu green belt while Anna Scott gained the grade of green belt tab.

Jack Hanson together with adults Daniel Todd, David Joy, Stephen Scott gained the grade of 5th kyu tab blue belt.

Sarah and Rebecca Utley passed the grade of purple belt while Callum Bruce, Hannah Hartley gained their purple belt and tab grade with some high scores throughout in the kumite sections.

Ten year old Tashina Earle, a rising star at the Ilkley club and female club champion of the year, passed the grade of 3rd kyu brown belt together with Kerry Laycock and adult Chris Harris. Tashina achieved an almost near perfect score in the kumite (free fighting) section of the grading.

Ty Abraham (10) passed the grade of 2nd kyu brown belt now hopes to go for his black belt next year.

Trophies were presented to high scorers of the night. The top awards went to Andrew Drury and cadets Joshua Burns and Sally Bridgewater as they achieved the highest marks on the night.

The club is now looking forward to the forthcoming Wharfedale Championships and is hoping to shatter last year's record trophy haul.

Anyone interested in taking up a martial art for the New Year should contact Mark Outterside on Ilkley 601297 or e-mail info@ilkleykarate.co.uk. The first three lessons are free.