HARD-HITTING martial arts youngsters have been impressing with their skills.

Members of the Takama Hara Aikido Club, based at North Scale Community Centre, passed their annual summer gradings with flying colours.

Five junior members and one teenage senior member aced their tests as they progressed up the sport’s rankings.

Jacob Smith (4th Mon), Reuben Rawlinson (9th Mon), Connor McLoughlin (12th Mon), his brother Adam McLoughlin (12th Mon) and Lucah Harvey (12th Mon) were the juniors who displayed some fine techniques, with 15-year-old Savanah Kay (2nd Kyu) passing a senior exam.

Verity Henderson, also 15, is set to be graded in the senior rankings, having missed the original date due to illness.

They are all coached by Sensei David O’Brien and, having spent the required practice time on the mat, were able to achieve successful gradings from him.

O’Brien – who admits to being a stickler during gradings – is a 4th Dan and is affiliated to the British Aikido Federation, with the club associated with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, the world headquarters of the martial art.

He said: “It’s fantastic to see all the progress, from someone like Jacob, who I have coached since the start of the year, to Savanah and Verity, who I have had for more than five years now.

“You can see how far the girls have come and everyone in between as well. The variation between the levels of skill is just fantastic.”

The Takama Hara Aikido Club hold weekly junior training sessions at North Scale Community Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6pm until 7pm.

They are open to boys and girls aged seven and above. For more information, contact David O’Brien, on 07969 875099 or 01229 476465 or email davidobrien64@yahoo.co.uk