A 10-year-old Seaham boy is one of the Port ’s youngest to be promoted to a junior black belt in Taekwondo. At Port Stephens Toogee Taekwondo ’s recent grading examinations Joshua Russell defended himself against one or two people for 15 rounds, broke wooden boards and did 100 push-ups and situps, amongst other things, to achieve his black belt.
"I was really excited when I made it," Joshua said.
Joshua has been training at Toogee ’s Raymond Terrace centre for about three and a half years and Master Robert Frost, who does the examining, said 10 was a young age to achieve a junior black belt.
"A lot of people don ’t make it that far but Josh has really put the work in," Frost said.
Joshua was introduced to the sport by his father Gary, who is a first degree black belt.
Joshua ’s eight-year-old sister, Ellie, also trains and is a third grade junior.
Gary Russell said he enrolled his children because the sport taught realistic self defence as well as fitness, discipline~ flexibility, confidence and self respect.
"It teaches them to respect themselves, each other and their elders" Mr Russell said.
More than 100 students from the Port Stephens and Newcastle regions met to be tested by Master Robert Frost.
By Sarah Price Port
Stephen Examiner,New South Wales
Joshua picks up his junior belt
