World-renowned teacher Iain grades black belts favourably
Nine Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus Shotokan Karate Club members attended a black belt grading exam at Blairgowrie Community Campus recently.
Grading examiner was world-renowned eminent karate teacher Iain Abernethy, who said the candidates demonstrated“a good performance against a demanding syllabus”.
He added: “For someone like me who travels a lot worldwide, you’re ahead of the curve by a very big margin – you’re doing very, very, well.”
He continued by describing the students as showing “solid development, good technical standard, good applications” and concluded by saying they should be “proud of their efforts”.
Chief club instructor Ally Whytock said: “As a global influence, Iain is one of the keystones of modern karate and has established the bridge between the past, present and future directions of karate.
“We were honoured to have him as our grading examiner – he expects top standard karate.”
The successful members were Darren Walker (second Dan), Callum Ritchie (first Dan), Chelsea Tindal (first Dan); Rachael Lipp (third Dan); Mary Reynolds (second Dan); Susan Briggs (first Dan); Dougie Noble (first Dan), Steve Johnson (first Dan) and Fred Kelly (first Dan).
Following the grading, 38 selfprotection practitioners of various martial arts, from all over the UK, attended a seminar with Iain.
Feedback from the attendees was that the seminar was a resounding success.
● Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus Shotokan Karate Club meets from 7-8pm and 8-9pm on Mondays, and 6-7pm and 7-8pm on Fridays at Blairgowrie Community Campus.
Sessions are also held from 6.30-7.30pm on Wednesdays at Coupar Angus Town Hall.
Spaces are available for teenage or adult beginners.
Contact Karen Whytock on 07854 812541, blairkarate@hotmail.co.uk or www.blairgowrie-karate-club.co.uk