Dereham Shotokan Karate Club gathered at Dereham Leisure Centre for the area grading examinations. Students travelled from Dereham, Swaffham, Norwich and Stamford with traditional shotokan karate ryu instructors Bill Wittkopp from Lincolnshire and Darren Webster from Dereham.

Dereham Shotokan Karate Club gathered at Dereham Leisure Centre for the area grading examinations.

Students travelled from Dereham, Swaffham, Norwich and Stamford with traditional shotokan karate ryu instructors Bill Wittkopp from Lincolnshire and Darren Webster from Dereham.

Chief instructor and examiner Terry Wittkopp 4th dan held a pre-grade seminar covering high grade forms (kata).

Regardless of students' capabilities, everyone took away valuable information on self-defence techniques.

At the end of the seminar Terry Wittkopp demonstrated breaking techniques by breaking wood boards held by students to demonstrate that correct technique can produce devastating results.

After the seminar the club held a grading under the watchful eyes of the TSKR panel.

The success rate was 100 per cent and highest grades were awarded to senior Claire Dawson 2nd kyu and junior Lee Alan Ruddock 2nd kyu.

Presentations were made to students who had demonstrated commitment and good techniques for their grades over the past four months.

The annual student of the year was awarded for the student who had shown 100 per cent commitment in training all year and demonstrated the true values of karate in and out of the club.

Heather Cargill, Best Senior Student (Dereham TSKR); Jamie Cocksedge, Best Junior Student (Dereham TSKR); Kian Mannering, Best Junior Student (Norwich TSKR); Student of the Year 2008 Iain Paterson (Dereham & Swaffham TSKR)

Grading successes: Alexander Dack, Adrian Moniz, Celine Holliday, Charlotte Haycox, Dorry Fox, Dan Zelos, Emily Hewett, James Hewett, Fergus Barker, Hannah Coole, Hannah Scarfe, Iain Paterson, Jamie Cocksedge, Lee Ruddock, Yasmin Holliday, Jack Mannering, Kian Mannering, Serena Djiakouris, Darren Haycox, Dave Rossiter, Dennis Clarke, Elvira Lobo, Heather Cargill, Peter Holliday, Suzie Holliday, Wendy Dack, Claire Dawson Buster Denton, Adam Taylor, Mario Moutinho, Karen Scarfe, Ellen Webdale

Dereham Shotokan Karate Club has training four nights per week and has opened a new club in Watton at Wayland High School. TSKR also run clubs in Swaffham, Norwich and Sporle. Classes are for those aged four and upwards.

With a membership of 120, TSKR is an expanding professional organisation and setting high standards in shotokan karate.

As a member of NAKMAS National Association of Karate & Martial Arts School, TSKR are kept up to date with all policies.

TSKR have appointed a welfare officer (Karen Scarfe) to oversee the child protection policy to make sure that TSKR abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the NGB and CRB Bureau.

NAKMAS have now introduced an anti-bullying cCampaign (Safe Kids) which has been applied at all TSKR clubs.

Anyone wishing to know more about TSKR should visit the website www.tskr.co.uk or telephone 01362 652855 for more details on new beginners' courses in time for the December grading.