The Gracie Barra club is based at the Granite Fit Gym in St Sampson’s and now boasts over 200 members.
Coach Chris Goldsborough was there to hand over the coveted belts to club members Alex Upton and Andy Le Page.
‘It’s a big achievement,’ he said.
‘It takes between eight to 12 years to get all the way to being a black belt.
‘And then there are 10 degrees of black belt, each one taking up to three years to achieve.’
Mr Goldsborough is himself a third degree black belt and hopes to achieve fourth level in 2027.
Gracie Barra is a form of the sport often referred to as Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The grappling-based martial art teaches participants how to control a resisting opponent in ways that force submission, through holds, chokes and joint manipulation.
‘Although we fight as individuals, we work as a team,’ said Mr Goldsborough.
‘We encourage all students to work together to improve and that’s what creates the incredible community spirit we have. It’s a sport, but it’s also a lifestyle that brings real focus to your everyday life.’
The group has classes seven days a week, with 15 part-time coaches delivering training in kimuras, heel hooks and sweeps.
‘We are now running men's, ladies’ and kids’ classes,’ he said.
‘We even have couples coming along. It’s a sport for everyone.
‘We have one family with the son, dad and grandad who train, so it shows there are no limits.’
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