Karate Students in the Black.

AGAINST the beautiful setting of Milton Abbey in Dorset, more than 100 instructors and black belts witnessed the Black Belt grading of two students from Spain.

They were Laude Lady Elizabeth School students Lawrence Halls of Calpe and Mike Hopkinson from Lliber. Lawrence and Mike, both 17, have trained with Sarah Lakin 2nd Dan for more than four years in order to achieve the level of ‘Shodan’ (1st Dan).

A big part of the exam was a written essay of more than 750 words, given one month before the physical exam, in order to demonstrate their mental aptitude to take part in the physical exam. In the gruelling physical part of the exam the two had to demonstrate their physical and mental qualities and show the strength of spirit that they had forged day by day in the SHOGYU (ascetic and austere training) of karate.

The grading was carried out by Sensei Chris Thompson, 8th Dan and Technical Director of the English Karate Federation.  Mike and Lawrence will be registered with the Spanish, English and Japanese Karate  Federations so that their Black Belts will be recognised worldwide.

Club Deportivo Washinkai is the Municipal Karate Club of Javea and Benitachell, and trains regularly in Lliber, Javea y Benitachell.

Anew venue will shortly open in Ondara and with more than 150 students, more even than large cities such as Castellon, Murcia and Alicante, Washinkai Karate is the largest karate club in the Alicante Province.

The club offers claSSes in Javea Sports Centre right through the summer. For more information please call Ray Sweeney on 637564416.