Dunmow TKD's growth as a club continues with two more earning a black belt - including their youngest so far.

The club, which is based in both Helena Romanes School and Barnston Village Hall, only began life in January 2020 and as the path to a tae-kwon-do black belt takes between three and four years, they don't have have numbers having claimed one.

However, 10-year-old Shriya Patel is one of them, with Bryony Arnold became the first adult black belt.

Both were among 400 students from around the UK who attended the bi-annual black belt grading at Hellidon Lakes Spa, Northamptonshire, where they demonstrated their proficiency at line work, set sparring, free sparring and patterns in front of the TAGB committee, all 9th dan grand masters.

Both students performed excellently and were awarded their 1st dan certification and black belts by Dunmow instructors Cheryl and Matt Howard in front of their club mates.

Matt said: "On average, only one in 20 who start the journey get to this stage. Black belt gradings are very intense.

"When I first met Shriya she was incredibly timid but in the past years has absolutely flourished and is an inspiration to all her junior club mates.

"I am also delighted for Bryony who is now a 1st dan alongside her son Aaron.

"We potentially could have another 14 students go for their black belt in April 2025.

"We expect to maintain our 100 per cent pass rate for this level by instilling the highest degree of competency and offering all our students the opportunity to train up to three times a week.

"Having black belts allows us to expand our syllabus, represent at all levels in competitions and gives the students a chance to pass on their knowledge to others in the club."

He finished by saying the club are still actively looking for new students to begin their own journey to black belt status.

More information on Dunmow TKD can be found at www.dunmowtkd.co.uk