MORE than 100 martial artists from Inverell, Glen Innes, Emmaville, Delungra, Warialda and Bingara were recently promoted to their next rank at a regional grading held in Inverell.

Shihan Nick King, chief instructor of the Inverell based Jim Ryu Kan Martial Arts Organisation also promoted three students to black belt. They were Joshua Butler from Inverell and Glen Innes duo Jasmine Watson and Lachlan Davy, who took centre stage throughout the day after three years of training to achieve their black belts.

Mark Crisp and Noah Every, both from Glen Innes, took out the two major awards for the year. Both men have had outstanding seasons.

The Gary Longhurst Perpetual Trophy for the most spirited martial artist went to Mark Crisp. Crisp, to his credit, has represented Australia on three occasions. His latest achievement was a fourth placing in the open weight division at the 2009 World Cup held in Tokyo, Japan. It further underlines not only his burgeoning reputation but also that of the Nick King run organisation.

Noah Every earlier this year won a dual NSW title at the Australian Koshiki Karate Federation State Championship held in Inverell in another display of his outstanding talent. Noah also travels to Inverell weekly to train and the sky certainly appears to be the limit.

For Nick King though it caps the end of a truly remarkable year, a year that saw him win in Tokyo and now he has successfully trained and socialised another band of talented youngsters.

© 2009 Inverell Times

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