FOUR junior members of the Combat Academy Karate Team have achieved their highest accolade to date.

Brother and sister Ryan and Erin Edwards, along with Lianna Masters and Josh Small, were awarded their English Contact Karate Association (ECKA) 1st Dans following a gruelling course and grading assessment.

It took place at the ECKA headquarters in Coventry and consisted of a two-and-a-half hour course followed by a two-and-a-half hour grading, which not only tested their technical ability of the grading system, but their fitness and endurance too.

The course and grading saw both juniors and adults training alongside each other and completing the same test to the exact same standards.

The Combat Academy operates from Foley Trading Estate in Hereford and always welcomes new students.

A free trial lesson is on offer for anyone wishing to start on their own martial arts journey towards the coveted black belt in karate and kickboxing.

For more information, call club instructor Simon Small on 07710 775416 or visit thecombatacademy.com