WESSEX Karate Academy students Jamie Northover and Liam Heard have successfully gained their 1st Dan Black Belts at the GKI (Go-Ju-Ryu karate International) Gasshuku.

The duo were joined by Tom Evans who earned his 2nd Dan Black Belt at the event held in Chelmsford, Essex All Saints School student Evans gained his grading just before his 16th birthday, making him the youngest student ever to achieve this level within the GKI.

The Gasshuku’s are biannual training camps held at different venues each year all over the world, where all students and instructors from the GKI get to train with the chief instructors.

It is also the only opportunity that students from all member Dojos will get to take their black belt grading.

This year’s event saw 16 people from across Europe taking tests, with Heard, Northover and Evans being the only three below the age of 18.

Students, who are testing, are expected to undertake three to four days of training covering all aspects of Go-Ju-Ryu Karate under the constant watchful eyes of the chief GKI instructors, with the grading tests being carried out towards the end of the event.

Wessex Senior instructor Pete Thompson (5th Dan) said: “The status of the black belt has become diminished in recent times with the advent of diluted styles, clubs offering guaranteed grades and so many children gaining ‘black belt equivalent’ grades. However, these lads have done it the hard way training for many years in a tough style, training and taking their tests with adults and achieving a truly high level grade, which is recognised worldwide”

Budmouth student Heard, 16, started his training, aged nine, and over the years won club awards for his continued effort and dedication being the first to win the club’s ‘Peeps’ award in memory of fellow student Peter Lynham.

Thomas Hardye student Northover, 16, was one of the first students to join the Milborne St Andrew wing of the WKA when it was formed and has become its first member to gain black belt level.

Meanwhile, Evans has been training for nearly nine years. After being awarded his black belt in 2009, aged just 13, he increased his training to gain his 2nd Dan level in the two-year minimum time at the age of 15 years and 11 months.

He now becomes the youngest ever to achieve this level, being one of only five ever to achieve this grade under the age of 18 in the GKI, three of which have been Wessex students.

All three boys have also won national titles at GKI competitions and Northover and Evans were part of the UK squad representing GB at the Go-Ju-Ryu world championships held in Lisbon last year.

Wessex Karate Academy has Dojos in Dorchester, Weymouth and Milborne St Andrew, and is a member of the newly-opened Tanren Dojo in Fortuneswell, Portland.

For more information visit wessexkarate.co.uk