David Wylie was awarded full shodan 1st dan black belt, whilst Abbie Blackburn has achieved shodan ho level 1 black belt in Kuroyaki Ryu Ju Jitsu, the first female to do so.
Their exam covered four hours of Ju Jitsu, Kobudo, Kata and Japanese ground work.
Abbie (14) started training aged five with her dad – the group's chief instructor Phil Blackburn. Over the years she has travelled to Gothenburg and England to train.
David has been training in Kuroyaki Ryu for around eight years but has been very active in martial arts for some 20 years.
For more information see the Journal and Gazette out on February 5, 2010.editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk