"PHENOMENAL" nine-year-old Aston Pritchard has come through a gruelling seven hour grading to earn a 1st Dan black belt and come top of his martial arts class.
"He is amazingly fit. Absolutely phenomenal", says Michelle Gardiner, founder of White Lotus Martial Arts. "He was the youngest in the grading, went through seven hours of tests on teaching skills, fighting techniques, weapons, fitness and stamina and was still doing proper adult push-ups at the end of the day. Nobody could believe his standards.
"All students are ranked on the day and Aston came top, with great techniques for punches and kicks, an amazing level of fitness and a good understanding of self-defence."
Other students who also earned their black belt grading were Lewis Kartel aged 11, who's been training with the club since the age of five, his sister, Rebecca Kartel, aged 13, and adults, Gary Watson and Hazel Parry, who are now on the instructor training programme.
White Lotus was founded in Malvern almost exactly a decade ago, but has expanded to Cinderford, with classes on Monday's and Thursday's at Oaklands Snooker Club. A new Japanese sword fighting club is being launched on the last Sunday of every month at Lydbrook Village Hall. To find out more, telephone 01594 860872.
Two instructors trained by White Lotus are also starting a new kick boxing club for adults and children at Bream Rugby Club from January 13. To find out more telephone either Sandy Newman on 01594 564867 or Marion Davies on 01594 822436.