The 11th of October saw 7 Scottish Tae Kwon-Do Academy students undertake there black belt testing at Crawfurdsburn Community Centre. The grading was attended By Academy chief instructor Mr Charles Boyle 5th degree and Instructor Mrs Gillian Boyle 3rd degree, and was also recorded for the viewing of Grand Master Hee Ill Cho 9th degree black belt and President and founder of the Action International Martial Arts Association based in Hawaii.

The 7 students have been training hard since last year, having to attend panther classes to assist in 30 classes each before they would even be considered being invited to sit the test. They also underwent 3 grueling pre-grading session under Mr. Boyle, to determine whether or not they could make the grade.

The grading lasted 4 hours with students on the floor at all times, proving to the instructors and Grand Master Cho that they were worthy of the test put before them. Showing all techniques from white belt through to black belt in different categories such as line work and basic movements, patterns, one-step sparring, self-defense, self-defense against a weapon, free sparring, 2 against 1 sparring, pad work, breaking( with some students breaking 2 and 3 boards at a time)and theory. The grading was a very hard test of concentration, stamina, physical and mental strength all of which the 7 students had in abundance on the day. Previous to the grading the students had submit a 500 word essay on there experience and achievements in Tae Kwon-Do.

Pictured from left to right are: Chief Instructor Charles Boyle, Gemma Docherty, Rachel Miller, James Lewis, Jordan Learie, Aimee Ellis, Nicky Jackson, Erin Foley and Instructor Gillian Boyle.