Phoenix Karate’s Chief Instructor Charlie Trorey 5th Dan has always expected a high standard from his students and Sunday’s black belt grading was no exception.

Ten students attended the seven-hour event at Cliff Park High School, Gorleston, where an official panel of four instructors, Vivianne Trorey 3rd Dan, Dean Snowling 2nd Dan, James Allan 2nd Dan along with Sensei Charlie, put them through an extensive programme of Basic Punches and Blocks, Kicks, Pad Work, Korean and Japanese Kata, self defence and fighting.

Harry White and James Rowswell, gained their Junior 1st Dan Black Belt as did Jonathan Jones on his first retake, while Samuel Snowling put on an outstanding performance for his Junior 2nd Dan. Harry and Samuel both passed with Merit grades.

Senior 1st Dan’s were gained by Julie Halladay and Rosemary Smalley, both ladies have been training with Charlie for over five years and have progressed slowly through the kyu grades to the ultimate goal. On Sunday they gave it their all and proved to the panel that they were very worthy of their grade.

Joshua Thompson who turned sixteen last March, had to, in line with current regulations take his senior Dan Grade to retain his status of Black Belt and showed how he has developed the strength and skill needed to complete his new syllabus. Joshua is now training hard to be able to take his next grade in two years time, when he reaches the minimum required age of eighteen for a senior 2nd Dan.

Not everyone who gains their black belt want to continue through the challenging Dan Grades syllabus and are happy to stay as 1st Dan, however a Phoenix instructor Dale Halladay and senior grade Ivan Sheales, have been putting themselves through the rigorous training routine required to attempt their 2nd Dan.

Both showed that despite their age the hard work of the previous months had paid off and regardless of their aching limbs, they were both successful.

Anyone wishing to join Phoenix Karate Schools a form of Korean Karate at classes in Acle, Martham, Caister, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Hopton, Lowestoft, Oulton Broad and Beccles can contact Charlie on 01502 730171 or Vivianne on 07895 550168 or visit our website at www.phoenixkarate@hotmail.co.uk for details.