Dartmouth Karate Club finished last year as it started, with great grading success.

On December 10, sensei Andy Sherry, ninth dan, travelled to Devon to take the county gradings. This is the last of four gradings he takes throughout the year for the Karate Union of Great Britain’s clubs in the south west.

Sensei Sherry is a real stickler for good attitude in students, and Dartmouth is very proud of its grading success and how its students always put in 100 per cent at all times.

The training session was, as always, a masterclass of instruction from the KUGB chairman and chief instructor. The grading itself is always stressful, but karate promotes self-confidence in all students, whether young or old.

All of the club’s students dug deep, and with a brilliant amount of effort everyone proved themselves worthy of their new grades.

The following students passed: Lewis Chalk. ninth kyu; Isobel Passmore, ninth kyu; Lisa Moore, eighth kyu; Edward Menzies, eighth kyu; Oakley Hunn, eighth kyu; Saxony Hunn, eighth kyu; Summer Turner, fourth kyu; Charlie James, fourth kyu; Ewan Menzies, fourth kyu; Sylvie Langworthy, third kyu; Harvey Schween, second kyu.

Congratulations to all – they are a credit to the club.

Also, last November, Dartmouth Karate Club had success at the south west championships. A turnout of 18 clubs and 179 entries made it a very busy and successful championship, not least for Dartmouth.

Sensei Kain Harper and Jess Moore had a great day, with Jess gaining a bronze medal, which is a great achievement, as she was injured through most of her fights.

Kain had an even better day, gaining a silver medal after fighting through some very tough competitors, including a former international fighter from Exeter University. The club is immensely proud of their achievements.

If you are interested in trying karate, the Dartmouth club trains on Wednesday evenings, 6.30pm-8pm, and Sunday mornings, 10.30am-noon, at Dartmouth Leisure Centre.

For more information, ring Peter Atkins on 01803 833794, Kain Harper on 07816 897251, go online to dartmouthkarateclub.co.uk, or visit the club’s Facebook page.