Shropshire karate instructor achieves seventh Dan at European event
Sensei Max Beddow was promoted to seventh Dan during a week of intensive international training in the Netherlands
A Shropshire karate instructor has achieved a major milestone after being awarded his seventh Dan at an international training event in the Netherlands.
Members of Shropshire Goju Ryu Karate Academy, based in Broseley, travelled to Wageningen for the IOGKF European Gasshuku, which brought together around 400 karate practitioners from across the world for five days of intensive training.
Each day included five hours of training led by some of the world's highest-ranking instructors.
Sensei Max Beddow, from the Shropshire dojo, successfully graded to seventh Dan during the event.
His grading was assessed by the IOGKF grading panel, including world chief instructor Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura of Canada, Sensei Ernie Molyneux, ninth Dan, of England, Sensei Henrik Larsen, ninth Dan, of Denmark, and Sensei Jorge Monteiro, ninth Dan, of Portugal.
Also attending from the Shropshire academy were Max's granddaughters, 10-year-old Norah Dobson and 14-year-old Honor Dobson.
Honor recently achieved her junior black belt at a grading on the Wirral under Sensei Ernie Molyneux, following nine years of regular training.
Both girls attended the week-long event in the Netherlands and took part in training sessions with instructors from around the world.
The academy said the event provided an opportunity for karate practitioners from different countries to train together, develop their skills and share their passion for the martial art.
More information is available via the Shropshire Goju Ryu Karate Academy Facebook page.