THE latest dan gradings at a martial arts club was something of a family affair.

Different generations from three families at the Koshido-Ryu Karate Club successfully passed and improved their level of achievement in the sport, as did Sofia Evans.

Mum and son Elizabeth and Jacob Beswick ticked the boxes they needed to, as did father and daughter Keith and Katie Pollitt along with Mike King and Harry King, who are husband and son of the club’s co-owner Kathryn King.

Kathryn and fellow club chief Emily Pollitt, who is Keith’s wife, sat on the dan-grade panel with Kenshin Karate Organisation head coach Brian Hall, who travelled from South Shields to be on duty.

Elizabeth and Jacob are now first-dan black belts, while Sofia, Keith and Katie stepped up to the second level, Mike became a third dan and Harry a fourth dan.

Katie achieved the highest score of the day, scoring 74 out of 100.

“Everyone smashed their grading and they all scored over 60 out of 100, the pass mark being 55,” said Emily.

“Harry's grading was slightly different to the others as he had to perform three katas (patterned moves) and show what the moves mean against attackers.

“His grading was a straight pass or fail and what he showed the grading panel was amazing. He was faultless in his performance and was great to watch.

“Kathryn and I are very proud of everyone who achieved their new dan grades.”

This follows up the news of Emily, Katie and Matthew Jackson getting onto the podium at the 13th World Union of Karate-Do Federations European Championships staged in Antibes, France, last month.

And the trio’s achievements there added to their successes at the world championships held in Dundee, Scotland, in July.

Keith also competed in both of those events, narrowly missing out on a medal.

Competitions have now finished for 2023, but club members will look forward to contesting the European Championships in Warsaw, Poland, towards the end of next year.