TWINS Connor and Ryan Saunders successfully graded for black belts.

The 14-year-old brothers, from Maylandsea, are members of Keiryu Practical Karate which runs clubs in Maldon, Silver End and Witham.

Fourteen-year-old Connor Keating, from Mundon, also graded to black belt.

The Teens and Adults grading lasted for two hours and included power generation and impact testing, locks, throws, chokes and strangles, escape and evasion, fighting scenarios, kata, and the application of their techniques (bunkai).

They were prepared for, and tested, under what would approximate real life situations.

Ryan Saunders said: “We are really proud that we have obtained our black belts in practical karate, pushing ourselves to the limits while learning new things, such as how to defend ourselves in real life situations.”

Connor Keating said: “I have been practicing karate since I was seven years olds, but changed to Keiryu Practical Karate a year ago to learn to apply my skills with self protection in mind.

“This change has been a real move forward for me, and I’m very happy that I’ve now gained my Shodan (first degree Black Belt) with Keiryu.”