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

Twentynine students ranging from 6 to 60 years old (22 children and seven adults) were graded by Sensei Stan Knighton (8th Dan) who travels from Sheffield to grade the Ilkley students.

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.

The examiner 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 12 years of age.

Mark singled out the performances of Emily Kerr (7), Abigail Craig (9), Calum Kerr (9), Rachel Hamilton (10), and adults Christian Harris and Amy Wilson.

Recent new starters Urban Coningham (7), Joseph Dawkins (10), Toby Grant (7), Luke Horn (7), Liam Portz (6), Emilee Prince (8) and adults Claire Harris, Amy Wilson and Celena Field all passed the grade of 9th kyu red belt with near perfect scores.

Rachael Hamilton (10), Max Taylor (7), Claire Hamilton (7), Abigail Craig (9), John Craig (6), and adults Martia Thain and Victoria King all passed the grade of 8th kyu yellow belt with some excellent marks.

Jack Bacon (8), Owen Bennett (8), Jamie Hennessey (7), Jacob Burns and Alex Morvaridi passed the grade of 7th kyu orange belt, while Emily Kerr (7) scored a very pass mark to attain the grade of green belt.

Liam Scott (9), Jasper Morvaridi, Thomas Scott (8) passed the grade of blue belt.

National kata and kumite champion Calum Kerr pulled off the biggest surprise of the night by skipping a grade. Nine year-old Calum was due to take his 3rd Kyu (first degree brown belt), however his marks were so impressive that he skipped to the next grade 2nd Kyu brown belt.

This is the first time a child has achieved this in the club's 16 year history. This also means that Calum is now on course to take his black belt next year in record breaking time.

Adults Andy Gower and Chris Harris passed the grade of 2nd kyu brown belt they now hopes to go for their black belts next year.

Trophies were presented to high scorers of the night. The top awards went to Calum Kerr for the fifth consecutive time and Abigail Craig who scored the highest marks on the night.

The club is now looking forward to the forthcoming British Open Karate Championships and are hoping do well.

Anyone young or old interested in taking up a martial art to get fit and flexible should contact Mark Outterside on Ilkley 601297 or email info@ilkleykarate.co.uk. The first three lessons are free.