Whitley Higashi

              Members of HKK, EKGB affiliated

           Chief instructor      Steve bell 6th Dan

 

                         

 

WHITLEY’S YOUNGEST EVER BLACK BELTS

 

On Saturday 23rd July a group of students from Whitley Karate club traveled to Forest Gate, East London for a special training session with Sensei Peter Spanton 8th Dan, Chief Instructor of the Higashi Karate association. This was to be no ordinary training session, as expectations and nerves were high in anticipation of a special grading to take place at the end of the course. Katy Matthews 13, and Shannon McCreath 11, of the Whitley club would be attempting their long awaited black belt grades. Both girls have been put through their paces for the past 12 months by Whitley’s Chief Instructor Steve Bell 6th Dan, working towards this day.

 

At 10.30 a large crowd of Whitley members met for the long journey into London with both girls showing signs of nerves! Training started at 1.00pm and was extremely intensive with Higashi’s chief instructor keeping a keen eye on both girls checking their form, technical ability and stances. After a strenuous 3-hour session in a very humid and hot dojo, the grading got under way. Eight students from across the country were attempting their black belt grades and the Whitley girls were the youngest, the grading panel consisted of an 8th dan, a 6th dan and three 5th dans, a daunting sight for anyone never mind the Whitley juniors.

 

A comprehensive examination of basics, combinations and Kata (forms) followed testing all the students to their limits. Then finally it was at 5pm it was time to announce the results, everyone was holding their breaths as it became obvious 6 of the 8 had passed.

To the great pleasure and pride of the Whitley contingent both Shannon and Katy were given their black belt grades. Both had performed exceptionally well and although exhausted had given everything asked, it was a justified and well merited prize.

 

The success of the girls means that, in the 30 years since Whitley Karate Club first started at the South Reading Community Centre they are the youngest ever to achieve the sought after grade of black belt (1st Dan).

 

Both girls have fully earned their grades and deserve their reward. They are a credit to Whitley and are popular members of the club. They have now set the target for the rest of the juniors to aim at, for them though as is often said in Karate once you have reached black belt you can begin to start learning!

 

Anyone interested in joining a family run club practicing traditional karate please call into the South Reading Community centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Juniors 7 till 830 £2.50 per session.

Adults 8 till 945 £3 per session.

Or call Steve Bell on 01189415224 or mob 07729210799.