From left: Kieron Leighton, Logan Williams, Amy Gwynne, Matthew Pennington, Roy Evans, Louise Vaughan (club coach), Paul Jones (club coach), Ella Wise, Morgan Gwynne, Kyle Bobryzcki and Samantha Gwynne.

THREE sisters from Hereford Shushokan Karate Club have achieved black belt success.

Amy, Morgan and Samantha Gwynne successfully attempted the shodan-ho grade in the Shushokan Karate National Gradings at Whitecross High School.

The trio were among nine Hereford Shushokan Karate Club members who celebrated becoming black belts on the same day.

Kieron Leighton, Matthew Pennington, Kyle Bobryzcki and Logan Williams achieved the shodan-ho grade.

And Ella Wise and Roy Evans successfully achieved the senior shodan grade.

They had all displayed five-and-a-half years of hard work, commitment and dedication to the sport.

And the students demonstrate their competence in basic technique, kata, fighting and pad work in a three-hour grading.

Hereford club instructor Paul Jones, who has practised karate in Hereford for more than 30 years, was delighted with the group’s success.

“The students are now wearing their new black belts and it is a wonderful sight to see," he said. "A huge amount of effort has led to their success."

Evans' preparation had included a visit to Japan with his instructors for training with Japanese teacher Ishitobi Sensei.

Ella has now joined the club coaching team for the junior classes.

Jones thank the parents of the younger students for their support.

The Hereford Shushokan Karate Club meet at Hinton Community Centre on Friday evenings.

For details, call Paul Jones on 07850 003672 or e-mail: pauljoneskarate@hotmail.co.uk