PUMA Taekwon-do in Tavistock has been running for 12 years and after a gruelling recent grading in Swindon, the club now has three new black belts.
A black belt grading consists of two parts; a pre-grading and the main grading. These usually have a gap of three months between them.
The pre-grading is just 20 minutes long and a brief test of what the students can do and see if they are ready to progress to the main grading.
The main grading takes a hour to cover all the techniques they have learnt since white belt and then finishes with a 30 minutes spirit test, which tests their fitness and commitment.
The journey from white belt to black belt should take a minimum of three and a half years, but everybody's journey is different.
A black belt is a massive achievement and requires commitment, perseverance and discipline.
It is a personal challenge but a very rewarding one. Tavistock currently has six black belts, all of whom teach in the school and are fantastic role models to their junior grades.
Instructor Merwyn Davis, third degree, said: 'It's fantastic to have more black belts, they have worked really hard over the years and I couldn't be happier.
If you would like to join the family friendly club, please call Merwyn on 07974 797114.