MATT Eeles and Matt Cooper of Old Basing Karate Club have both become black belts.

The black belt grading was set to take place on December at Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International’s Honbu dojo (headquarters) at Hemel Hempstead which is headed by 8th Dan Chief Instructor Malcolm Phipps Sensei.

The two Matts Eeles and Cooper had blasted through a preliminary mock grading earlier at Hemel with ease.

However, Cooper, already overdue taking his black belt, was unable to attend the grading as he had an interview for a position at university on the same day.

Rather than waiting until the next Dan grading in June , Sensei Phipps found the solution as he came to Old Basing Village Hall to grade Cooper there.

This is the very first time in the association’s long history that a black belt grading has taken place outside of the Honbu dojo so was quite an honour.

Over four years of increasingly difficult and regular training had prepared Eeles for this demanding test that commonly has just a 50 per cent pass rate.

Sitting on the grading panel: 8th Dan Chief Instructor Sensei Malcolm Phipps, 6th Dan Assistant Chief Instructor Sensei Tony Bunting plus Sensei Adam Cockfield, 5th Dan.

Eeles first had to demonstrate sequences of basic techniques then perform seven Kata, which are set patterns of fighting movements that increase in complexity and difficulty.

With no errors made, he partnered up for semi-free sparring or Jiyu-Ippon, defending and attacking the head and body with sets of kicks, strikes and take downs.

It was with great relief for Eeles collected his black belt.

Cooper’s grading was just as daunting even if it was at Old Basing.The pressure was immense but with determination, Cooper met this demanding test with great spirit and passed.

Old Basing’s 4th Dan Instructor Peter Welch was extremely proud of his two students and said: “Their hard work, dedication and commitment to regular training every week led to their well earned success.”

The club trains at Old Basing Village Hall and at Lychpit Community Hall every Monday and Wednesday and welcomes new members who should contact Peter Welch on 079 777 51473 or see oldbasingkarate.com or sski.org.