Black belt challenge

ELITE students from the Goju Kai Karate Club have achieved black belts one of the highest awards in karate.
A black belt is something earned over many years of dedication, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears.
Japanese graded master Shihan Steve Colangelo and Sensei Noel McBride conducted the gruelling grading.
The students had to show a sound understanding of goju kai karate techniques, perform advance kata and show the ability to engage in many rounds of kumite (fighting).
The black belt journey for many students has taken five to six and up to seven years to achieve.
Over years the students developed high levels of fitness, stamina and the mental toughness to deal with the hard, rigorous training that karatedo can offer these athletes.
Instructor and coach of the Pakenham karate club said over the years many students came and went, giving reasons and excuses for not achieving blackbelt status.
“However this talented group of people are passionate about the benefits that karatedo training has provided them and the people around them,” he said.