The club is now into its 51st year and the addition of junior black belts is something not seen across the first 50 years of its existence.

Club member Daniel West said the reason was largely based around keeping the black belt rank as rare as possibly, but after much consolation the rank will now enter the junior section.

“Wearing a black belt in the Ballarat Karate Club is extremely rare. Only 39 people from an estimated 6000 members in 51 years have been awarded the rank,” West said.

“Training for a black belt with the Ballarat Karate Club is extremely challenging, yet highly rewarding, and although a Shodan-Ho rank is designed for young people transitioning from junior to adult ranks the challenge, commitment and desire need to remain the same."

Long-time junior club members April Gray, Maddi Vawdrey, Ben O’Meara and Matt Anderson were the first to be invited to grade for the new rank. The quartet of young members were put through a range of tests, overseen by some of the club’s experienced judges.

Each candidate completed challenging rounds of kumite including bouts with Sempai Paul Schaper - a first Dan Black Belt. The group trains 3-5 times a week and the honour is reward for many years of hard work.