MILVERTON Red Dragon Karate student Daniel Johnson passed his 1st Dan black belt grading which was held in Guildford, Surrey.

Daniel, aged 14, from Wellington, has been training with club instructor Sensei Peter Milne, 2nd Dan, for the past four years.

His grading was conducted in front of the Karate Union of Great Britain’s chief instructor Sensei Andy Sherry, 9th Dan, and the National junior team coach Sensei Frank Brennan, 7th Dan.

He had to successfully complete three different sections in order to pass – Kihon (kicking, blocking and punching combinations), Kata (a complex set pattern of movements) and Kumite (sparring against an opponent).

All were performed with the very high standard required by the KUGB, the country’s largest single style martial arts organisation; in particular he delivered a stand-out kumite performance.

Club instructor Peter Milne said: “Daniel has been working extremely hard in training in order to attain this much sought-after accolade, and all the effort he has put into his karate has really paid off.

“The club is very proud of him; Daniel shows much promise to become an exciting talent in karate, especially with his kumite.”

Anyone who would like to enquire about joining Milverton Red Dragon Karate should contact Sensei Peter by emailing him at milnepd@gmail.com or by visiting www.face book.com/reddragonskc