A KENDAL schoolboy has become the youngest junior in Cumbria to obtain his 2nd Dan Black Belt in the discipline of Shotokan Karate.

Ethan King, who is in Year 9 at Kirkbie Kendal School, successfully attained his 1st Dan Black belt at the age of only 11 and after diligently training for the past two years, was given consent by Sensei Keith Robson (5th Dan) of Windermere Shotokan Karate Club to attempt his 2nd Dan Black Belt.

The youngster travelled to Lichfield in Staffordshire to complete a two hour training session under the watchful eye of Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan) and Sensei Billy Higgins (8th Dan) of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB).

During this training King also had to compete against a number of older students with one glancing blow cutting his upper lip.

And after a short break he returned for another gruelling four hour examination.

With over 30 people trying for 1st Dan and only 10 people attempting the 2nd Dan, King was the youngest member for his 2nd Dan so when the time came to perform Kumite (free fighting) he was pitted against a 16-year-old.

However this didn’t phase him as back in the dojo he regularly has to fight against older youths and adults.

After the session the results were announced and King was one of only half of the students whom attended the grading to be successful.

King now has to wait until he is 21 to continue with the grading syllabus as this is a restriction placed by the KUGB for the safety of its younger members, due to the physicality of the grading, in particular Kumite.

Until the time comes he plans to concentrate on studies, while also attending and helping out at the Kirkbie Kendal School Karate Club where twice a week he trains and passes on his experiences towards helping train new students whom attend the club.