Last updated at 12:23, Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Europe’s youngest black belt sisters Esther and Anna Beales are teaching the art of shukokai karate at the tender ages of 11 and nine.

Anna Beales, left and sister Esther

A year ago the girls managed to get one of the Seiken Ryu Karate Association instructors to start a karate club at their school, Brampton primary, on a Friday night.

It has gone from strength to strength and now has 30 students with a mix of grades. Having practiced every day for 2-3 hours Esther achieved an adult 1st dan black belt called a shodan just after she turned eight-years-old and gained her 2nd dan, a nidan, a year later.

On that very day, Anna gained her 1st dan black belt and by doing this she took Esther’s title of becoming the youngest 1st dan in Britain.

A year on Anna graded again, taking another title from Esther as the youngest 2nd dan in Europe as well.

Both girls have competed in competitions with both club associations and the national one with over 50 awards for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.

They have trained with many high ranking martial artists including Wayne Otto OBE, multiple world karate champion.

They are assistant instructors to chief instructor Chris Yates 6th dan, and senior instructors Peter Atkinson 3rd dan at Henshaw Karate

Club, Steve Reed 3rd dan at Stamfordham Karate Club and Jake Turner 3rd dan at Karate Brampton.

The girls also train in ju jitsu.

Esther and Anna love their style of karate and have gained so much that since they got their black belts they have helped to teach others go on to achieve their black belts.

Both girls are full instructors with the association, but due to their young age they need an adult for the club insurance.

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk