SEVEN Teesside teenagers are celebrating today after achieving black belt status in martial arts.
The seven karate enthusiasts, aged between 13 and 16, have been going to twice weekly Shotohan karate sessions for two years. They have been coached by Brian Millward and Dave Rafferty at the Southlands Centre, in Middlesbrough.
Jack and Charlotte Evans, Ann Reeve, Sophie Patterson, Dean Robson, Samuel Rodgers and Anthony Vaughan won their high ranking in examinations at Nottingham, supervised by international coach Vince Morris.
Fellow fighters Jason Hall and Christopher Lord moved from junior dan grades to senior status.
Newcomers are welcome to join the Tuesday and Thursday evening classes at the Middlesbrough Council-owned centre.
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