There’s a buzz at Hornets Martial Arts as another eight students make the grade.
Instructor Ian Reynolds put the Thanet-based group through their paces in a gruelling three and a half hour grading.
Ian said: “The length of the grading session is important as the candidates have to demonstrate their stamina as well as a variety of technical skills.
“It was a grading of contrast. For some it was their first ever grading, whilst other more experienced students were being tested for the higher level grades.
“All were pushed to their absolute limits and would have been left in no doubt that they have earned their belts.”
Ian, who is an IT technician at King Ethelbert’s School in Birchington, runs the Monday evening sessions at Garlinge Methodist Church from 6pm to 7pm.
Those celebrating their latest gradings are Amanda Wright and Sam Bradley, yellow sash; Desmond Clarke, Owen Lockwood and Aiden Maloney-Bishop, green sash; Corby Aquini, purple sash; Ben Price, red sash; and Dimitri Michael, orange sash.
Hornets Martial Arts are also making a buzz with students and staff at King Ethelbert’s where Ian has introduced sessions that combine his experience of Chinese Kickboxing, Shotokan karate, Judo and various street defence techniques.
He added: “I believe that the young people are getting to that age where their social lifestyle changes will make them more susceptible to the dangers on the street.
“My aim as a martial artist with nearly 20 years’ experience is to try and make a difference to their lives, to make them more aware, to be more confident and to explore their own potential and to hopefully turn them into a victor rather than a victim.”
He is also running classes for staff. He said: “These are an ideal way to wind down after a busy week and boost fitness levels at the same time.”
For more information about the public classes at Garlinge, contact Ian on 07876527850.
