Five students from Tigers Shotokan Karate earned their black belts after a gruelling grading process.

The students, from the St Albans based karate club, had to be assessed on their basic techniques, kata, which is an assessment of a student's form and kumite, which is sparring.

Nick Surridge, Dominique Imber, Arjan Barard, Emily Roe and Ben Praag achieved their black belts at a grading ceremony at Nicholas Breakspear School, Colney Heath Lane on Sunday, June 9.

This followed years of training and supporting the club by helping with teaching and mentoring younger students.

The grading panel consisted of three sensei’s (teachers and instructors) who have more than 130 years of Shotokan karate between them.

Emily Roe regularly trains at the St Albans clubs in Camp School in Camp Road, SS Alban and Stephen Catholic Church in Beaconsfield Road and How Wood Primary School in Park Street Lane.