SOME 26 martial arts students successfully achieved their 1st degree black belt gradings at a taekwondo club in Coventry.
In a significant milestone for Impact TaeKwon-Do Coventry, 30 dedicated students participated in the gradings over a six-hour period.
Among the students who achieved a first degree black belt, the youngest member was just nine-years old. All younger students have trained for the past four years to reach the black belt accolade.
And three members gained their 2nd degree black belts while another achieved their 3rd degree black belt showing many more years of dedication to the martial art.
Senior Master Barry Parsons – an 8th degree black belt with over 50 years of taekwondo experience – graded the students
The event began with a theory seminar where students were taught important key principles and concepts.
Students then took a comprehensive exam to test their understanding of taekwondo.
The final of the grading involved a rigorous physical examination covering patterns, sparring, self-defence techniques and wooden board breaking.
Impact TaeKwon-Do Coventry’s senior instructor, Scott Bridges, opened the club in 2007 to help children and adults in the local community become more confident, focused and disciplined through martial arts training.
Bridges is a 6th degree black belt who has trained in the sport for almost 30 years.
