NEW gradings have been awarded to members of Darwen-based Tower Shukokai Karate Club.
On June 28, the club held a test at Edgworth School looking at candidates’ abilities in the three main disciplines of karate: kihon (execution of fundamental techniques); kata (accurate and spirited performance of formal choreographed sequences) and kumite, or one-on-one sparring.
Passes were awarded as follows: Yellow belt (eighth kyu) - Dave Currie, Craig Dugan, and his seven-year-old son, Tom Dugan Orange belt (seventh kyu) - Megan Doody, Jake Waring. Purple belt (4th kyu) went to former rugby league pro Irvin Dickinson.
A delighted Irvin, who at the age of 53 has been doing karate for only two years, said: “I never thought I would ever get this far. It is a prouder moment for me even than playing international rugby for Great Britain schoolboys.”
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