RISING Karate star Mathew Velvick has become the first Briton under the age of 18 to be awarded a senior black belt in Karate.
Velvick, a 16-year-old from Ashford was given the belt after a policy change by the National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Society(NAKMAS).
Until 18 months ago, pupils aged under 18 were not permitted to enter a senior national black belt grading and could only achieve 1st and 2nd Dan.
After five hours of physical and mental testing, extensive questioning and examination, he was rewarded with a 3rd Dan black belt.
He has trained four times a week for the past ten years and rarely misses a session.
His 3rd Dan was awarded exactly ten years after achieving his first red belt karate grade.
Velvick’s success is proof for the change in policy and has shocked Peter Manning, who is vice chairman of NAKMAS.
Manning said: “I must admit to being totally against under-18s being awarded 3rd Dan senior karate grades and voted against the policy amendment.
But Mathew was placed under extreme testing for nearly five hours and he performed and answers questions with the maturity of a 25-year-old. Mathew passed this grade with flying colours. A rare occasion indeed.”
The 16-year-old’s teacher was unsure at first to put Velvick in for the hard-hitting grading process, but now he is delighted with the teenager’s achievement.
Mathew’s teacher, Joe Ellis said: “Mathew’s commitment to karate is obvious and his attitude and technical skill are exceptional. I allowed Mathew to enter this grading based on his progression, which I did not take lightly, and the tears ran when the result was given - an incredible achievement and a first in British karate.”
POSTED: 05/02/2008 09:26:29
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