SILSDEN teenager Charlotte Banks is among the latest five Horizon Taekwondo Academy members to be promoted to a black belt.

The 16-year-old achieved the feat at the 101st Dan Promotion test with British Taekwondo, the national governing body for Olympic (WTF) taekwondo in the United Kingdom.

Cullingworth's Jethro Cooke, 24, was promoted to a 3rd Dan black belt

Horizon's chief instructor, 5th Dan black belt Master Rick Simpson, said: ""These candidates have worked really hard towards this milestone in their taekwondo career.

"Charlotte started taekwondo when she was 12, and hasn't looked back.

"It's great to see teenagers in our club getting black belts and she's a pleasure to teach.

"She's in our competition team as well, and it's great to see more girls showing success in taekwondo than ever before."

He added: "Jethro Cooke has been training for ten years, he's a top referee in this country and needs to move through the Dan grades to be considered as an international referee with the WTF, so this is a great step in the right direction for him.

"I'm confident that Jethro will be one of the leading referees in the country in the next few years, and hopefully will set up a club one day – if that is what he wants to do."

Other clubmates to achieve a Ist Dan black belt were 12-year-old Gary Watt from Greengates, Bradford, and Jon Cassere from Baildon, Bradford, while fellow 38-year-old Rachel Salt, from Manchester, became a 3rd Dan black belt.

The candidates were tested by a Dan grading panel led by experienced British Taekwondo Masters, and the tests included free sparring (full contact), patterns (pre-defined movements), self defence against an unarmed opponent, knife defence (3rd Dan candidates only) and destruction (breaking boards).

Horizon Taekwondo Academy are offering free lessons to beginners for a limited period.

Anyone who would like to join a club or have any general queries can contact Rick on 07977-065357 or info@horizontaekwondo.co.uk.