TWO members of Farnham Karate Academy have attained the rank of 1st Dan black belt after a week’s training with martial arts experts in the New Forest.

George Hammond, 17, and Marcus Frontera, 16, passed their grading in front of the Wado Academy’s distinguished panel, whose chief instructor is world renowned Masafumi Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi.

George, a former head boy at Weydon School, has been with the club since he was six. Marcus has been training at the club for almost seven years.

Both put in numerous hours before the course to ensure they had best chance of passing the mentally and physically demanding week which includes five hours of training a day before the grading itself.

The club trains at its new venue, Weydon School, on Saturday mornings. For more details, visit www.surreykarate.co.uk