Bristol Karate Academy

Congratulations to Bristol Karate Academy member Steven Connell, who passed his Sandan (3rd Dan) grading in Chesterfield on Sunday.

Steven was assessed by the KUGB's chief instructor, Sensei Andy Sherry, as well as Sensei Bob Poynton and Sensei Frank Brennan. As the minimum age requirement for third dan is 21, this was the culmination of many years over dedicated training since passing second dan in March 2012.
Steven joined the Backwell Karate dojo in 2004 at the age of 7. Focused from the very start he passed his black belt less than four years later under Sensei’s Sherry and Brennan.
Steven is the youngest person to ever achieve the grade at the Academy and only the fifth person in the Academy’s 40 year history to reach such a level.
This grading result is the latest in a long line of successes for Steven, who is the current HDKI Irish Open Kata Champion and has also taken a variety of other Championship golds in both regional and national competition.

We're very proud of Steven, who thoroughly deserves his promotion to third dan. He is an inspiration to so many of the Academy’s members and leads by example. He trains hard and is an excellent Karate role model. We look forward to seeing Steven continuing to thrive at Bristol Karate Academy in the coming years.

LATEST NEWS