The latest Taerigi-Do Black Belt Grading was a phenomenal success. On the day 11 candidates from the Ilkley club earned their coveted Black Belts.

Achieving 1st Dan Black Belts in Kickboxing were local butcher John Furniss and Ben Dufton, who is planning to open his own school later in the year.

Juniors, Callum Donald, Andrew Richards and Chris Richards all attained their 1st Dan Black Belts in Taekwondo with distinction scores. Andrew achieved the highest grading score of the day with an amazing 94 per cent.

Alice Harrison and Marnix Lawrence both achieved their 2nd Dan Black Belts with distinction scores. Alice also holds a 1st Dan Black Belt in Kickboxing.

Seniors, Euan Donald, Uta Jewell and Vix Hanson were tested on all aspects of their training; fitness, forms, technique, self-defence and destruction. All three achieved their 1st Dan Black Belts in Taekwondo, with distinction.

Euan is the third member of his family to attain Black Belt; wife Suz earned her Black Belt last year and son Callum attained his earlier in the day.

Uta and Vix both now hold Black Belts in Taekwondo and Kickboxing. Vix is planning to open her own school later in the year.

Sixteen other Students graded on the day; juniors, Tom Cove, Chris Oddy and Mark Oddy all attained their half black belts in Taekwondo.

Katy Isles and Ruth Whitehead both attained purple belt, James Batterley his blue belt, Noah Johnson his half blue belt and Hannah Greenwood her green belt.

Senior, Ben Dufton attained purple belt in Taekwondo with Andrew Butler attaining red belt.

Ben Hardman attained his blue belt in Taekwondo with John Furniss his green belt and Nicole Hodgetts her yellow belt.

Kickboxer, Paul Shackleton attained half-green belt with Jessica Burgoyne and Helen Priest attaining half-yellow belt.

Little Ninja, Jake Allister attained his yellow belt in his grading.

At the celebration evening, held at the Hollygarth Social Club, Master Dave McGoldrick 8th Dan; who travelled up from Torquay to act as chairman of the grading panel, presented the successful Black Belt candidates with framed certificates and formal, embroidered Black Belts.

Taerigi-Do Black Belt Academies, based at the Warehouse in Little Lane, has now promoted a total of 23 Black Belts during the five years based in Ilkley.

Taerigi-Do is now one of the top ten EFC UK Black Belt Schools and is currently recruiting in all classes. Anyone interested in training should call Steve Harrison on (01943) 877797 www.taerigi-do.com