Wisbech Shotokan hold successful martial arts session

Samurai Shotokan Karate Grading held a very successful grading session on Sunday, June 24 at its Marshland Hall grading HQ.

The event was a milestone as it included 22 students from its new Dojo at the Marshland St James facility and eight new students from the King's Lynn Dojo taking their very first grading.

They were all successful and the standard was very good too particularly in the adult section with a high number of credit passes.

Adults Sara Dolan, Emma Didwell and Katie Longmate were excellent performers and Junior Casper Maecki showed his immense courage and spirit to achieve 7th Kyu.

In total 43 students were successful in achieving new grades on the day.

The examination was split into two sessions the first all beginners and lower grades and the second mid to higher grades. In the second session Mark Twigge, Harrison Anderson and Isabelle Shepperson produced their best ever grading performances to achieve very good 4th Kyu passes being completely exhausted after the tough two-hour session.

Sensei Steve King said: "It really was great to see people achieving and growing in confidence.

"The fruits of all the hard work in the dojo week after week and the benefits of working with our 5th Dan, 4th Dan and 3rd Dan coaches.

"It was also exciting to see our new students making their first steps on their Karate journey and families grading together. Mums and dads with their children growing together.

"That really epitomises what our Samurai Karate School is about: family."

King added: "We have lots to look forward to this year with an exciting weekend Gashaku in August with two of the UK's leading 6th Dan Karate-Ka in Paul Herbert Sensei and Anne Hastings Sensei.

"This is a very exciting event as it will see the gathering of the highest ranked group of Karate-Ka ever to visit the local area in a single event.

"We also have another 6th Dan and two 5th Dans teaching on the weekend, details of which can be found on our website."

Shotokan are also preparing six students for their Shodan gradings later this year. For class details contact Steve Sensei 07843 414433/ www.samuraimartialarts.co.uk