BROADWELL Karate Club's Rhys Hopkins, 16, became a First Dan black belt in Bristol after impressing a panel of seven judges, including Seventh Dans Alan Flook and Dave Wheatley.

Rhys (pictured) took up the sport as a six-year-old at Ruspidge Karate Club, under the tuition of Kevin Harris. He instilled in him a passion for karate. Rhys continued training with Chris Rudge at the Cinderford Karate Club before switching to Broadwell to work with Fourth Dan Paul James.

Paul put Rhys forward for his recent grading session.

It was a gruelling test, with six hours of action on Saturday followed by two more hours of testing on the Sunday.