success

STUDENTS from Ilkley Karate Club were highly successful at the recent grading examinations at Ben Rhydding Methodist Church.

The 24 students, children and adults, were graded by Sensei Stan Knighton (seventh Dan), former chairman of the EKGB and European Heavyweight champion.

Club instructor Mark Outterside, a former English Super Lightweight champion himself, was pleased with the results, especially since a large majority of the children were under 13 years of age.

Tyrone Abraham, Dan Hanzig, Dione Craven, Naomi Craven and Haydn Robinson all gained yellow belt tab.

Simon Chapman and Ken Corless gained the grade of blue belt and blue belt tab with sister Maria Corless and Elizabeth Knowles-Fitton and adult Jamie Deyes all gained purple belt.

Ben Hollings, Faye Cooke, Robert Cowey and Simon Wood all passed (third Kyu) brown belt while adult Neil Overton-Barrett gained his second degree brown belt.

Mark Outterside singled out the performances of Tyrone Abraham, Haydn Robinson and adult Jamie Deyes for gaining the highest pass mark in the grading.

Sensei Knighton was very impressed with the performance of five-year-old Dione Craven, who scored one of the second highest marks on the - night which was outstanding given her tender age.

Dione started karate with her older sister when she was four years' old and has gone from strength to strength ever since and has now even got her mum training at the club. Dione was presented with a special award for her outstanding achievement.

The club members are hoping to retain some of the titles won last year at the SKU Premiere Championships next month.

Anyone interested in taking up karate should contact Mark Outterside on 01943 601297 or e-mail mark@ilkleykarate.co.uk or visit the website www.ilkleykarate.co.uk

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