Oswestry, Whitchurch and Malpas Tae Kwon Do had four students, Cody Marshall, Carl Willmott, Dan Valentine and Emma Jupp achieve their black belts on Sunday 20th September.

Carl Rudolf of Tae Kwon Do said: “This was the longest black belt grading process we’ve ever been involved in due to Covid 19. It takes at last 4 years of training to grade for black belt. The process started back in March when all four students passed their pre grading in Nottingham.

The pre grading is an area black belt grading where Tae Kwon Do masters and Grandmasters assess the participants and is designed to ensure only the best students that are ready to grade are put through and maintain high standards.

All four of our students passed and were ready to grade for their black belts in April when lockdown hit and gradings, competitions and physical training were postponed.

Tae Kwon Do classes were moved online and we kept training until we could train at our venues again and gradings could resume.

When we were given the go ahead for the black belt grading by the National Governing Body for Tae Kwon Do in the UK, the British Tae Kwon Do Council (BTC) the date was set and we had a target.

To avoid lots of people gathering and reduce risk there was three dates for students to choose from to take their grading. All our student attended the grading in Stourport-on-Severn on Sunday 20th September and were graded by two Tae Kwon Do Grandmasters (9th Dan).

They were tested by performing a range of moves, patterns, set sparring, and knowledge of Tae kwon Do, all complying with government Covid rules.

After a long process they were all successful and promoted to 1st Degree Black belt.”

Carl added: “I am delighted for Cody, Carl, Dan and Emma who have been dedicated and trained extremely hard for their black belts over the years and during this difficult time for everyone. They thoroughly deserve their black belts having not given up after facing many challenges over the last few months. They have done themselves and the club proud. Congratulations to all of them.”

Carl Willmott.

Cody Marshall.

Dan Valentine.

Emma Jupp.