A FOUR day Kyokushin karate course took place in Gavle Sweden in December five Rising Sun Karate Club members took part and showed support for fellow club member Richard Long, on his 1st Dan black belt grading.

This was an historic event for the club, as Richard was the first student from the club to be going for this prestigious belt.

Richard completed over 100 sparring rounds of contact fighting, and finished with a 20-man full contact kumite on the final day. This could only be described as an exhausting physical task.

Over the weekend, Richard took on the best fighters from around the area and had to prove himself to the Branch Chief Instructor Sensei Robert Wiklund 4th Dan, and show his full knowledge of traditional karate before the coveted black belt was awarded.

Both of the instructors of the Rising Sun Club witnessed the event and said: "It was as hard as both of our first Dan tests and we could not fault Richard at all.

"He showed great determination and courage to get through the difficult weekend and he deserves to be an instructor at our club.

"We are proud to have him alongside us, teaching and passing his knowledge on to others."

The club is affiliated to the WKGB (Welsh karate governing body) and each instructor is insured, first aid qualified and holds a CRB certificate.

Classes are Mondays 8-9pm, Thursdays 6-7pm for juniors and 8-9pm for seniors and Fridays 6-7pm for juniors, 7-8pm for beginners and 8-9pm for seniors.

Anybody is welcome to come along and train for a first free lesson on Fridays 7-8pm.

Richard also teaches the four-six year old "Rising Stars", at the Colcot sports centre at 11am on Sundays.

For more info contact Lee on 07861699476 or visit the clubs website @ www.rising-sun-kyokushin.co.uk