POPPY NICHOLLS and Ellie Knight, two members of the Grey Wolf Karate Club (www.greywolfkarate.org), both excelled at a recent grading session for Wadokai Kyu.

Poppy and Ellie are both aged 11 and attend Farmor’s School in Fairford.

Along with their instructors – Sensei Mick Adams (5th Dan) and Piers MacLean (2nd Dan) – they traveled to a British Wadokai Kyu grading, held by Sensei Gary Swift (8th Dan, Kyoshi) in Plymouth.

Swift is the head of the governing organisation and is the chief instructor to British Wadokai Karate.

He is extremely well respected for his knowledge and ability as a teacher.

Despite the unfamiliar environment, the two girls conducted themselves with dignity, confidence, discipline and focus to become the only students to be awarded a 7th Kyu 1st Class Pass.

Fellow club member Garry Nicholls achieved an 8th Kyu (1st Class Pass), a deserved reward for several months of hard training.

Swift was particularly impressed. "Their impeccable etiquette, respect and manners were a credit to their club and instructors,” he said.

“They certainly knew, and lived by, the correct concepts and principles of the Wado Dojo Kun."

Off the back of this success, the two girls are to visit Meysey Hampton Primary School (Poppy’s former primary school) today (January 30) to give a one-hour karate demonstration to pupils.

Grey Wolf Karate train under Sensei Mick Adams (5th Dan) at the Down Ampney Village Hall on Wednesday evenings (6.15-8.15pm) and the Meysey Hampton Memorial Hall on Saturday mornings (9am-10am).

All the black belt instructors are certified by and registered with British Wadokai.

Full details are available on the website www.greywolfkarate.org.