Pictured with their well earned certificates:
L-R Phill Kay 1st Dan / Michael Hall 1st Dan Pete Cook 3rd Dan / Rachel Coleman 2nd Dan / Karen Sutton 2nd Dan

Five members from the U.F.B.D.A. were put through their paces at the annual Black Belt Grading held at Cheltenham in October. The Grading was 14 hours long spread over a weekend. Saturday comprised of 5 hours of fitness and basic techniques. Sunday involved advanced techniques to demonstrate prowess, skill and power. They performed advanced hand and kicking techniques, self-defence routines including throws, locks and pressure points. There was also a section on Korean Patterns along with defence routines against weapons.

After 10 hours of being closely scrutinised the five, along with 16 other hopefuls were put through a fitness nightmare. Phill Kay and Michael Hall going for the coveted 1st Degree had 3 hours of advanced jump kicks, bag and pad work, shadow sparring and sparring only having a few seconds in between to take on fluids.

Rachel Coleman and Karen Sutton going for 2nd Degree had to dig in further as they had an extra 30 minutes to show their true spirit, giving their all.

Lastly Senior Instructor Pete Cook had to stay for an extra 30 minutes whilst the grading panel attempted to break his spirit.

The Grading panel was a selection of 8 masters of different martial arts styles ranging from 5th Degree up to 10th Degree.

After enduring the physical side of the grading the five had to endure a mental test. This was a 2-month wait before they received their results through the post.

The standard was very high. The UFBDA were commended on their skills, consistency, determination and team spirit demonstrated throughout the gruelling weekend.

Chief instructor Pete Cook said that this was the proudest moment of his life, to achieve his 3rd Degree, and to have trained with, and coached the 4 students and helped them to achieve their personal goals. Cook also pointed out that this was by far the most demanding and worthwhile grading that all 5 members had taken.

I know all students that pass the grading laid down by the World United Martial Arts Federation (WUMA) have earned every stitch on their belt and should wear it with pride.