Several students and instructors across Ely, Wisbech and Peterborough from the Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do are celebrating passing their impressive black belt grading.

Eight students and two instructors gained black belts at a grading weekend in Daventry on April 21, which takes the school's black belt passes to an "incredible" 591 passes over the last 35 years.

There are 16 Mark Farnham schools across East Anglia, and each year, around 600 to 700 students can attend two grading weekends to translate their training into a black belt.

Wisbech Standard: Natalia Teli from Ely received her black belt and certificate.Natalia Teli from Ely received her black belt and certificate. (Image: Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do)

Mark Farnham said: "A very well done to all of those students taking part in the latest black belt grading, and congratulations also to the instructors for all their hard work."

Different rankings of black belts can be achieved, and Mark says it takes three and a half years of "hard work and dedication" to reach the 1st Dan-level black belt and that the higher 'Dans' take considerably longer.

Wisbech Standard: Students from 16 of the Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do all train towards a black belt grade.Students from 16 of the Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do all train towards a black belt grade. (Image: Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do)

All students performed in front of five 9th Dan Grand Masters on the black belt panel, with each of these Grand Masters boasting more than 50 years of Taekwondo experience.

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Once a student has achieved a 5th Dan Black Belt, all grades above are honorary and can be awarded for higher achievements.

Wisbech Standard: Chris Benstead from receiving his 4th Dan black belt from World Master Mark Farnham.Chris Benstead from receiving his 4th Dan black belt from World Master Mark Farnham. (Image: Mark Farnham Schools of Tae Kwon-Do)

Mark added: "Our Schools gained two 6th Dan Master Grades on this occasion, and this is an exceptionally high grade and shows a very high level of dedication."

Results

Ely:

Black Belt 4th Dan (4th Degree) - Christopher Benstead.

Black Belt 1st Dan (1st Degree) - Jack Steventon and Natalia Teli.

Wisbech: 

Black Belt 1st Dan (1st Degree) - Charlotte Beck.

Peterborough School:

Black Belt 4th Dan (4th Degree) - Christopher Benstead (Peterborough Instructor).