After more than 6 months of blood, sweat and tears I can finally announce that I have  achieved my 4th Dan at a grading today in Claybrook. Many thanks to Sensei Gordon for all your guidance and motivation.

The grading was really tough (over 2 hours of katas, basics, combinations, free fighting and bunkai) but we got there in the end and I’m now looking forward to bit of a rest from extreme 4 sessions-a-week training.

I would like to thank my long suffering husband, Dave who has put with constant whining and moaning about all my aches and pains and for the beautiful flowers I had waiting for me when I got home.

Pictured with me above, Andy Fox (far left), my best mate Jos Patel and Lez Lockley (far right) – all of us now 4th Dan.