Dereham Martial Arts Academy held its latest grading at the weekend, with 28 students attempting new belts in karate and kickboxing.Standards were very high, with all but three students passing their exams.

Dereham Martial Arts Academy held its latest grading at the weekend, with 28 students attempting new belts in karate and kickboxing.

Standards were very high, with all but three students passing their exams. Chief instructor Neil Cook said that it was “particularly challenging conditions,” as the students sweated it out in temperatures of 24 Centigrade.

Catching the eye was nine-year-old Karate candidate Cooper Hopcroft. Senior examiner Adrian Gardiner said that Cooper was one of the “highest standards for his age and grade” that he had seen in over 10 years of examining.

Karate results. Ninth Kyu Red Belt: Tyler Cutbush, Marcus Meredith, Amanda Hannant, Tyron Moran.

Seventh Kyu Yellow Belt: Joshua Wyatt, Nicholas Green, Jamie Hinde, Tiffany Peel, Callum Peel, Scott Bear.

Sixth Kyu Green Belt: Cooper Hopcroft.

Fifth Kyu Purple Belt: Scott Gibbons.

First Kyu Double Brown Stripe: Jenny Cook.

Kickboxing results. Ninth Kyu Red Stripe: Joshua Whyatt, Lucy Younge, Steven Parkinson, Kay Younge.

Eighth Kyu Orange Stripe: Callum Peel, Scott Gibbons, Jared Milligan, Tiffany Peel.

Seventh Kyu Yellow Stripe: Thomas Meridith.

Sixth Kyu Green Stripe: Liam Bradley, Charlene Chappell, John Charley.

A team from the academy will be in Dereham precinct on Saturday afternoon offering VIP passes for people to try their introductory programme at 50 per cent off the normal price. They also have a course planned for November which will be open to students from other clubs, details to follow.

Contact their office on 01362 652828 or on the web at www.derehamma.com