A NEWLANDS Primary pupil has been awarded a black belt in Karate – at the age of 11.

Peter Martin, of Romanno Bridge, took up the combat sport just five years ago and after enjoying national success, has secured one of the highest accolades.

He was presented with his new belt on Saturday at his Meadowbank club.
Pound dad Peter Martin senior, told the Peeblesshire News: “It is a great achievement and I am really proud of him.

“He has worked very hard over the last five years.

“It all started when Peter attended a feeder class at Newlands on September 28, 2012 and he won the British Open three years later. If we hadn’t seen that the class was on, it could have been totally different.

“He has done really well, because it is a tough grading system. It isn’t a kids black belt, you are graded with adults.

“It is a long journey to get that black belt, and he has achieved an awful lot to get there.

“I want to thank Pam Robb, Steven Adam and Hamish Adam MBE, the father, son and daughter who have coached and guided Peter on his karate journey to date. He is very privileged to have them all sign his grade book through the years.

“It was Pam who first recognised his potential. She said he is going to be good and told me to try and keep him interested.

“Peter also thanks the Scottish Karate Federation, Meadowbank Karate Group and all his fellow Karateka who train with him each week.”

Peter, who will be a Peebles High pupil from August, will have to wait five years to progress to the next level.

Peter Snr added: “Peter progressed through the belt system as a junior – white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown and then did all the tags which represent adult belts.

“This is not the end. This is just the first part. The next grading will take place when he is 16. That will be to progress as a Second Dan.

“His main focus over the past year and a half has just been training to get the black belt. But these next few years will allow him to go back to fighting in competitions.”