Josh Collins has made Kevin McMahon one proud teacher.Josh Collins completing part of a successful grading to gain his black belt in Sankukai. Photos Jamie Adair

Collins has recently graduated to his black belt in Sankukai under the tutelage of McMahon.

Having trained at the club for eight years, it has taken a lot of commitment and hard work, McMahon said.

“Josh has had to learn a lot of special skills and techniques to get to this point.”

McMahon said it was great to see a young person commit to such a huge task as they often have the skills to do it, but in the final analysis lack the commitment.

Held early in December, the grading was a special night, with Collins’ parents and other members in the club present to see his grading for the black belt.

McMahon believes that Collins’ parents played an important role in helping him get the belt.

They allowed him to be committed to achieving the task and were very supportive, said McMahon.

Collins is not the only person from his family with a taste for karate, with his brother training alongside him.

Before gaining the black belt, Collins has had to work his way through large number of other colours of belts.

White, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple and three levels of brown belt all stood in the way before he could gain his black belt.

McMahon is the only person to teach Sankukai in New Zealand.

The style originated from Okinawa, Japan like many other styles but focuses more on combat than the competition side like many other styles practised in New Zealand.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 13 January 2017