STUDENTS from Cheshire Martial Arts Centre took part in a black-belt dan grading and impressed the SSKA chief panel with their skill and technique.

Aces from the Warrington-based club featured in a gruelling test of stamina, skill and power to prove they deserve the rank of black belt.

Jack Mann, Peter Halsall, Jake Woodrow, Samuel Robinson and Niamh Appleton passed to the grade of shodan (first dan), while Gabriel Mikoleizik and Anna Cox achieved shodan-ho (junior black belt).

Joel Eccleston and Bobby Brown achieved the grade of nidan (second dan).

Cerys Vaughan-Massey, Tom Godsmark, Adam Amiri, Andrew Briddock, Patrick Mangan, John Cameron and William Garrett all produced to the level of sandan (black belt third dan).

Chief instructor Paul Graham said he is extremely proud of his students, ranging from aged 10 to 78.

He added: “They have all worked very hard and deserve to be promoted to their respective ranks.”

“They have recently returned from the WUKF European Karate Championships in Monichiari in Italy with a flourish of medals and more recently from the Unified World Karate Championships held in Sheffield with seven gold, seven silver and eight bronze titles for the SSKA squad,” he said.

The Evans House centre, on Norman Street, is open every day for traditional and sport karate classes.

For further details, call 07831 418631.