KEIRYU Practical Karate has held its first grading for senior students.
The club, which was created by Lee Mullan in May and has groups in Silver End, Witham and Maldon, put ten members through their paces.
Luke Saunders is Keiryu's first student to be examined for a black belt and the 16-year-old attained the rank of shodan, first-degree black belt.
The other examinees, who were grading for kyu (coloured belts), included Luke's twin brothers, Connor and Ryan Saunders, 14, who achieved first kyu brown belt; Connor Keating, 14, first kyu brown belt; Donna Mullan and Emma Ager, who both achieved third kyu brown belt; Skye Bekir, 12, fourth kyu purple belt; father and daughter Chris and Meave Oakman, 11, sixth kyu orange belt and fifth kyu green belt respectively; and 11-year-old Sean Perkins, who was awarded fifth kyu green belt.
Mullan, a third dan black belt, started Keiryu Practical Karate to pursue a more practical and dynamic karate. He says he is part of a new generation of karate-ka that are returning to the "old ways", skilled in all areas of self-protection – a comprehensive system involving kicking, punching, grappling, escape and evasion tactics, ground work and fighting – which challenges students on all levels and is highly rewarding and fulfilling.
The aim is to produce strong, competent individuals who are capable of holding their own and dealing with a real-life street encounter, both physically and psychologically. Having said that, a key element in regular training is fun.
"Keiryu Practical Karate represents a major developmental shift and is now bringing real self-protection in today's world for people of all ages, including trained martial artists – all are welcome," added Mullan.
For more information, visit www.keiryukarate.co.uk
