TAE Kwon-Do students from Okehampton, Tavistock, Launceston, Bude and Plymouth joined together to be graded by eight dan world master Michael Dew last Saturday.

Okehampton student Caitlyn Piper earned herself an above average pass, performing especially well in her patterns section. Caitlyn also had to demonstrate line work, partnered work and free sparring, and did well in all of these.

Instructor Guy Southard, who runs three of these clubs, Bude, Okehampton and Plymouth, was suitably pleased.

He said: ‘Partnered work is tricky to get right as the student needs to show focused power with control. Overall the standard of the club is good. It’s important to us to get everyone working at their maximum levels, regardless of differences in ability. That way by the time our students take the big step up to a black belt grading they are thoroughly prepared.’

Sophie Shaw, who graded in Bristol in October, and is Okehampton’s newest black belt, was presented with her first dan certificate by Master Dew, after she had been helping out at the colour belt grading.

Guy added: ‘Sophie is a great student, she thinks about techniques and asks questions, and is always happy to help lower grades with their learning too. Becoming a black belt isn’t just about wearing a different belt, it’s about what you’re prepared to give back. Sophie is a shining example of this.’