Black belts all round for Blackburne family (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Black belts all round for Blackburne family

4:50pm Monday 24th January 2011 in Sport By Sports Desk

Rose Blackburne has become the third generation of her family to gain a black belt.

The 11-year-old Ilkley Grammar School student follows in the footsteps of grandfather David, who began the sport in 1975 and gained his first dan in shotokan karate in 1980.

David Blackburne had only taken up karate as his son, Rose’s father Giles, was finding the training regime heavy going and was on the verge of quitting at the age of nine.

But with David’s support, Giles passed his black belt aged 12 in 1978 at a time when most children had to join adult classes.

Giles, who has since amassed black belts in five different styles, met wife Shirley while practising taekwondo and she is also of black belt level.

When Giles moved to Addingham five years ago, he started training at Ilkley Karate Club and daughter Rose quickly took to training at the popular venue, which practises the traditional form of shukokai karate.

Little sister Jasmine has also joined and instructor Mark Outterside said: “In all my years in karate I have never come across this before.

“What’s more is that all three generations have black belts in different karate styles from three different associations.”

For more details about the club, contact Outterside on 01943-839355 or visit www.ilkleykarate.co.uk.