MEMBERS of Wyre Forest Taekwondo Club finished the year on a high with a 100 per cent pass rate in their last grading of 2018.

A total of 31 members travelled to Ellowes Hall Sports College in Dudley to grade alongside other Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) Schools across the West Midlands.

Examined by 9th Degree Grand Master Donnelly, the students were tested on all aspects of their art.

Those celebrating are Arun Nandra, Amber and Luca Holder, and Richard and Jo Perks, Jack Yarnold, Evie and Ruben Langford, Jack Stokes, Jacob Chorostowski, Ryan Fernihough, William Proctor, Adas Stankevicius and Scott Connelly who were successful on the day.

The following students achieved a Pass-Plus grade, meaning they excelled in certain parts of their grading; Richard Liu, Davide Tereblecea, Moa Stromberg, Mya Garcha, Leo Billingham, and Elliot Munn.

An Advanced pass or A-Pass Grade is given to students who show a high level of skill, power and technique, a great achievement for all those who are awarded it. Those were Lottie Buffery, Charlotte Howell, Georgina Munn, Lily Grover, Danka Chorostowska, and Jessica Giles.

A very rare A-Star grade was awarded to Abalena Bytheway, whose grace, and beauty of technique combined with power really wowed the examiner. She was considered for the overall best in grade award.

This highly coveted title went to Lauren Pope from Dudley TAGB, who trains with Master Vince Farquharson, senior Instructor in the Midlands area and host of the December grading.

Special recognition went to Amy Perks, who has narrowly missed out on the grading award many times over as she has been consistently highly skilled since she started.

Instructor Katie Billingham was instructed by Master Donnelly to ensure an additional award was given in recognition of her consistent high standard through her coloured belt journey. Having now achieved her black tag grade, she is now in training for her black belt this year.

Billingham said “It was a lovely was to end the year, to have all the clubs in the area come together for this prestigious grading. Its wonderful to have had so many do so well, and the best part is to see people over come nerves and achieve their goals. I love to see how people improve with training, and with their confidence grow with it. I was very proud to give the results out as we ended the year. Its been such a good year for the club, I really can’t thank everyone enough for their support.”

The club will be re-opening from January 5, 2019. Contact instructor Katie Billingham for more information on 07885293088 or visit wyreforesttaekwondo.com.