ON Saturday, May 5, ten students from the Rising-Sun-Kyokushin-Karate Club took part in a grading at Aberdare Sports Centre. They endured a gruelling three-hour task and seven passed through to their next grade.

Senior students Tom Dalton attained 10th kyu and Des Brown 7th kyu. The junior students Max Ladner and Maddie Barratt 10th kyu, Ciaron Kerr 9th kyu, George Cocks 7th kyu and Gabe Brown 6th kyu.

All students were tested thoroughly as the grading examiners at the British Kyokushin Karate Association never pull punches.

The candidates endured the uke, tskui and geri waza (blocking, punching and kicking techniques) up and down the line. After basic technique they were put into groups to perform kumite (free sparring) with all successfully completing the task.

After the events the majority went away with a feeling of achievement, and some knowing that extra hard work was needed at the dojo for the next grading in July.

The club's two instructors, brothers Lee and Spencer Bennett, will both be competing abroad in the next couple of weeks.

Sempai Spencer Bennett will fight at the Yambug Cup in Russia. The top prize is 10,000 Euros and Spencer said: "This will be my toughest test so far. It doesn't get any harder in our sport than going to Russia to fight full contact Kyokushin. The Russians in our sport are like machines and just keep going and going!"

Sensai Lee Bennett then leaves to compete in the European Championships in Italy. Lee's goal is to better his previous fifth placing.

The Rising-Sun-Kyokushin-Karate club's dojo is at the Samurai Centre, Savoy Buildings, Broad Street, Barry.

Anyone wishing to train with the club can go along for a free first lesson either Monday 6-7pm juniors and 7-8pm seniors; or Thursday 7-8pm juniors and 8-9pm seniors.

The club is affiliated to the BKK (British Karate Kyokushinkai) and IFK (International Federation of Karate). For more information find them on facebook, visit their website at www.rising-sun-kyokushin.co.uk or call Lee on 07861 699476.