Black belt boost for Perse martial artists
Three Perse students have displayed their mastery of martial arts by gaining black belts in taekwondo.
Edward Shelley (Upper Sixth), Alysha Djamarani and Alexandra Mackie (both Year 9) were presented with their first-degree black belts after successfully completing a rigorous four-hour exam in which they had to demonstrate every kick, pattern and technique from the lowest white belt level upwards.
The assessment also tested their sparring, self-defence and leadership skills as well as their knowledge of the theory and terminology of the Korean martial art.
The Perse Taekwondo Club members have all been training for the last six years to reach black belt standard with the help of Cambridge Taekwondo instructor Mirfet Hassan-Spiller.
Mrs Hassan-Spiller described the grading exam as “an enormous learning and growing experience” for Edward, Alysha and Alexandra.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud and delighted for them as it’s an enormous achievement. They are an inspiration to us all to persevere, be proud of being good at something, working towards goals, believing in yourself and learning to dig deep.”
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