Sai Martial Artists - black belt success

The Sai Martial Arts Club

David Whittles of Healey and Joshua King of Norden have both been promoted to Shodan First Degree Black Belt in Ju-jitsu.

The two Sai Martial Artists endured a five hour trial. The grading started off with a kata section followed by empty hand kicking and punching combinations, then a 30 minute fitness section followed by ju-jitsu techniques, of which there are some 300 full contact moves in the senior ju-jitsu grading. The grading then moved onto a sparring and a ground fighting section.

Mr Whittles, a 39-year-old Print Director who is the current under black belt TYGA open Ju-jitsu champion, passed with 67 points, scoring the second highest score of fourteen students, and Josh King, who is a 10-year-old schoolboy, passed with 62 points.

Clubs from all over the county where at the grading and grading in three different styles: karate, kickboxing and ju-jitsu. The grading panel consisted of a panel of eleven C.M.A.A. nominated instructors.

Club Sensei Jamie Ward (2nd Dan) explained: "Due to the students being the club's first full black belts the club is elated, this also means that I become a Master Grade in Ju-jitsu."

The Sai Martial Arts Club trains on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday mornings in Healey, Rochdale.