The long, labourious and gruelling test of endurance saw the three students tested on all aspects of the Matsubayashi-Ryu style of karate.

The students Simon Jones, Ryan Blanch and Dean Whitlam all passed their tests and advanced to Shodan rank, first degree black belt.

The average time spent training for this test has been seven years for each of these students to attain their goal of a coveted black belt in the traditional Okinawan karate style.

With these students being elevated to black belt, it brings to eight the number of black belts in the locally based MKAA.

Karate classes are held weekly in Wingham, Taree PCYC and Harrington with the emphasis on traditional training as practiced in Okinawa.

Any enquiries to John Carlyle, phone 6556 0218 (AH).