Saturday November 18th, 2017 saw kickboxers from all corners of Chuldow come together to attend Graduations and of course there were those for whom the day would be in equal parts extraordinarily difficult and extremely rewarding…the Black Belt candidates.
Lauren Fellows, James Carter and Brendan Chadwick all taking the big step to 1st Dan Black Belt after a gruelling assessment and Emma Dakin of Wakefield pushing even further to achieve 2nd Dan with an awe-inspiring display of technical ability and determination.
Not to be outdone the Karateka took to the mats on the Sunday with Matthew Firth, Dan Brady, Joey Abad and Jack Gill of Rothwell joining Nikhil Kasiomayajula, Jordan Wilkinson and Khalid Mahmood of Wakefield, Sonny Clarke, Olivia Nash and Jasem Ibrahim of Knottingley and Kai Shaw-Sullivan of Normanton to be assessed for 1st Dan Black Belt. Hours of testing proved the technical standard was high with stamina tested to the limit.
There is always more though; Kacper Grala of Morley, Chris Woodhead of Bingley, Dylan England of Rothwell and Philip Stevens of Wakefield all proved this as they went beyond 1st Dan showing advanced knowledge, technique and raising the bar of both excellence and sheer willpower to achieve 2nd Dan Black Belt.
Well done to all!
