IT WAS a big weekend at the Hawkesbury Martial Arts Centre last Saturday and Sunday when the club held a two-day grading session, which saw four young karate exponents receive their black belts in the discipline.

The group, which trains under the expert tutelage of 2007 Hawkesbury Coach of the Year Daniel Spice, won their black belts by showing great dedication and spirit over several years to work their way up through the coloured belts to the top level.

They were tested on their intensity, attitude and passion, with all the students passing.

Unfortunately, Melanie McLa-ughlin broke her ankle in the last hour of grading on the Sunday, but battled on to finish the task and end the day with a black belt. Three of the four girls, McLaughlin, Rebecca Garay and Mikaela joined Hawkesbury Martial Arts in 2004, while Ashleigh Adams started in 2003, proving the dedication that it took to reach the highest colour.

They will now continue on with their karate, with higher grades of black belt awaiting them in the future.