A pupil from St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm has successfully passed the 1st Dan Black Belt Grading, making him the youngest Tei Karate student in Scotland to achieve a black belt.
Senior pupil Matthew Downie started with the Tei Karate Association just before his sixth birthday and has since received an award for ‘Most Improved Student’ for the association overall, in recognition of his commitment and achievements at his age.
Peter Galbraith of the Tei Karate Association, said: “Mathew has shown incredible commitment and dedication to achieve this award at such an early age. It’s been fantastic to watch his development from white belt and how he has matured and acquired the discipline to focus on his karate, to a point where he now helps instruct at the club he started at.”
Mrs Andrea Angus, Rector of St Columba’s School, said: “What a wonderful accomplishment for Matthew.
Photo: Matthew Downie
“As a School we put a very high value on involvement and commitment and Matthew has obviously worked exceptionally hard to achieve this level at such a young age. We look forward to hearing of his continued Karate success.”