By Isle of Wight Observer
Newport Shotokan Karate club member Dan Moss successfully graded for his 1st degree black belt (Sho-Dan) at a recent Shotokan of England Karate Union black/brown belt course and dan grading at Portsmouth.
Dan, who is 33 years old and lives in Wootton, first started training at the club in 2015. The grading consists of basic techniques (punching, striking, kicking and blocking) and combinations of any techniques, 2 Kata (set moves) and also Jiyu-Ippon kumite (pre-arrange fighting) and Jiyu kumite (free fighting) against numerous opponents.
The black belt grading is not just about performing in front of a grading panel it is also about the five years of hours of training, and without this discipline and commitment Dan would not have achieved his grade.
Isle of Wight Observer