CHILTERN Karate Association achieved a rare feat at the weekend when six of its members won their black belts.

Alex Bantick reached his second dan, while new first dans are Damian Parmenter, Sarita Murray, Christopher Pringle, Ayushi Mahesh and Tanmay Mahesh.

Instructor Michael Thornton said: “This is a rare occasion to have so many grading at this level at one time.

“Normally we see about two to three reaching the coveted black belt in an average year.

“They have all trained very hard and consistantly to get to this level, many students drop out along the way – it takes a minimum of four to five years of regular training to be able to grade to black belt.”

The club, which has dojos in Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont, Aylesbury and Holmer Green, practises a traditional Japanese style of karate called shotokan karate and has recently celebrated its 20th birthday.

For more details call sensei Erin Thwaites on 758079 or email ethwaites@chilternkarate.co.uk