THE Barry Kyokushin Karate Club has marked the end of its 35th anniversary year with annual awards to students showing the greatest dedication and spirit in training.

Tomek Czyzynski and Rhian Evans were the recipients of the junior and senior student of the year awards respectively.

Working incredibly hard throughout the year, Tomek showed fantastic spirit in all lessons, ensuring the immediate correction of any mistakes. He displayed great dedication in and outside the dojo and commented: "I was very excited to receive the award."

Proving herself to be a valuable member of Barry Kyokushin, Rhian's committed workrate has resulted in gold (kata) medals in both the English and British Championships. On top of her normal training, Rhian has also attended referee courses, summer camps, and continues to assist senpai Phill Sedgmond and Tracy Davies in instructing the 20-plus junior students. Rhian said: “I'm really pleased and proud with this award, and it’s a pleasure to be so involved in such a great club.”

Senpai Phill said: “These two students have impressed me all year. Tomek improves every week. When he started, he found the training difficult and was a very quiet and shy boy but he has just exploded out of his shell and has pretty much become a completely different young man.

"Senior student Rhian has been absolutely outstanding. Once again, she was very shy and lacking in confidence when she arrived, but, in 18 months of training, she has competed and won first place in two major tournaments, has become confident enough to attend a refereeing course normally reserved for much higher graded students and impressed many kyokushin masters with her technical ability.

"It's so nice to see what kyokushin karate can turn people into.”

The Barry club trains at the Castleland Community Centre, Belverdere Crescent, on Mondays and Wednesdays. For further details go to www.bkkc.co.uk or ring 01446 408974.