MALDON Higashi Club are celebrating grading success.

Russ Leach has been promoted to Sandan (third Dan Black Belt) and Jessica Leach and Heather Pearce to second Kyu Brown Belts.

The gradings took place at the main Higashi Dojo, in Woodford Green, in front of Higashi Chief Instructor ninth Dan Peter Spanton and the HKK senior grading panel which consisted of three sixth Dans and one fifth Dan.

The grading was held after tough training course attended by students from numerous clubs from the Higashi Association and the three were put through their paces prior to them then taking on the grading.

Leach, along with his daughter Jessica and Heather Pearce, had to show a full knowledge and ability to demonstrate the basics and combinations commanded by the Sensei as well as the full range of Kata’s the panel required them to successfully complete.

With energy levels and concentration as well as their skills and spirit being tested the three gave it their all throughout and completed the grading in style, the decisions were then announced and the panel were unanimous and awarded passes to all three.