STUDENTS from BOP (Bude, Okehampton and Plymouth) TAGB Tae Kwon Do schools gathered together with Launceston, Tavistock, and Helston TAGB clubs hoping to gain belt promotions at their grading last month.

It was a nervous first experience for all of the white belts, including five from Okehampton, but they all passed and Ethan Voaden even gained a plus pass, which is far and above average standard. It was an inspiration to them to see their class helper Fred Sivyer be presented with his first dan certificates by grading examiner grandmaster Dew, who himself was promoted to ninth dan at the blackbelt grading in April this year. – ninth Dan is the highest grade in most styles of Tae Kwon Do and it takes a minimum of 45 years training to attain.