Eighteen pupils from Richard Saunders Schools of Taekwondo awarded first degree black belt

Jan 7 2009 by James Maloney, Birkenhead News

MORE than a dozen pupils from the Richard Saunders Schools of Taekwondo are celebrating after taking their first degree black belt in the Korean martial arts.

Eighteen successful students travelled to Bristol to take their grading in the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain's headquarters in front of five eighth Degree Taekwondo instructors.

They were Mathew Evans, 36, Charlie Jones, 15, Brian Anderton, 39, Robert Hallwood, 16, Roy Anislie, 14, Keith Taylor, 27, Bradley Sandland, 14, Reece Wimbush, 14, Joseph Tighe, 11, Jordan Hall, 11, Dawn Thomas, 30, Emma Millichope, 14, Ryan Godbold, 12, Joseph Maddocks, 10, Nathan Saunders, seven, Owen Godbold, nine, Steve Ainslie, 11, and Samuel McLoughlin, 11.

The students have all been training for a minimum of three-and-a-half years in order to get themselves ready, as the grading required them to perform different techniques, free-sparring, self-defence and also a verbal exam.

Chief instructor Richard Saunders, who is a 5th Dan, said: “Myself and my team of instructors are very proud to have so many new black belts.

“I have been teaching taekwondo in the Wirral for more than 14 years and have produced lots of students to black belt status, but this is our biggest number of students that were successful at one time.

“Taekwondo teaches a student co-ordination skills, balance and flexibility, as well as helping reinforce respect, courtesy, self-discipline and improved fitness and all the students did exceptionally well.”

Meanwhile, Richard’s son, Nathan, was also kicking and punching with joy after becoming one of the youngest black belts in the UK.

The Taekwondo Association of Great Britain student took his black belt in in front of five newly promoted 8th Degree Taekwondo instructors.

Nathan, who is only seven and attends Brookhurst Primary, travelled to Bristol to take his grading and had to kick and punch his way through the exam.

Proud dad and instructor, Richard, said: “Having watched lots of children take their black belt grading, it was very hard for me watching Nathan.

“It was like my own grading all over again. Also with Nathan being the youngest there, he was also the smallest.

“But he came across very strong and did all his movements correct and precise.”

Anyone wishing to know more about taekwondo or a club near you can contact Richard on 512 6521 or visit the club web site: www.wirraltkd.co.uk