Months of training culminated in a rewarding experience for students of a local karate club at a recent grading ceremony.

Members of Helston's Sandokai Karate club in Cornwall have seen success.

They began the grading session with line work by Sensei Josh Hughes followed by pair work with Sempai Neil Didlick and Ian Rowe.

To prepare for the afternoon gradings, the class split for some focused practice time. Notably, the Dan grades had the opportunity to learn the ‘Hangetsu’ kata directly from Hanshi Robin Whale.

Falmouth Packet: Students were put through their paces before being graded Students were put through their paces before being graded (Image: Sandokai Karate Facebook)

The afternoon saw participants all showcasing their skills which required three separate grading panels to assess everyone. This included some members awarded with a promotion.

After the grading ceremony, Adam Collick, 6th Dan Black Belt at Sandoka congratulated students who had passed and received promotions.

Falmouth Packet: The students following a successful grading ceremony in Helston The students following a successful grading ceremony in Helston (Image: Gemma Newitt)

Last month, the Packet reported that Sandokai hosted a seminar led by a martial arts legend, and nine-time world champion Wayne Otto OBE.

The seminar which was held in Helston attracted students from across Cornwall and Devon saw students take part in ‘kumite’ a fighting technique which was held across two sessions with a view to Sandokai competing nationally once again.

At the time, Adam told the Packet: “It has been a fantastic opportunity for many different karate-ka to train with a living legend in the world of karate.

“I’m sure the techniques and experience of learning from someone of Wayne’s calibre will stay with everyone who attended the seminar and hopefully further their own karate journey.”

Sandokai Karate has been teaching in Cornwall for more than 30 years and is one of the longest-running associations in the South West, with links back to the first karate club in the country.

Training takes place at Helston Community College on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7pm and 9pm, (7pm to 8pm for children) and at Kea Village Hall on Thursdays between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

The club currently have spaces for new students. For more information visit the Sandokai Facebook page or its website http://www.sandokai.co.uk/.