They are also recent newcomers to the style of Uechi Ryu and went for first grading.

Instructor Geoff Peady said Leonie and Tim had to demonstrate they had knowledge of the basic skills and could carry them out.

"They had to do basic blocks, punches and stances and needed to show a combination of attacking and defending punches with a partner as a two-person routine," Mr Peady said.

He said the juniors also had to show they understood the basic knowledge of the first kata (form).

Meanwhile, Mr Peady said 11 year-old Peter Anderson, who has been training at his school for three years, is the highest achiever and went for his brown belt grading, which involved him needing to demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of all the basic skills.

"These included kicking, punching and blocking techniques and the various combinations using those skills in the sport.

"Peter also had to show he knew the more advanced katas," he said.

Mr Peady said on the practical side of things, Peter had to apply a series of self-defence moves from the Kanshiwa Kata (second form).

"He not only had to perform Kanshiwa but also had to do it with an opponent, had to do a two-person sparring routine, and do free sparring," Mr Peady said.

He added some juniors had stage fright on the grading night, because there was a panel of black belt judges watching them.

But he said some were still confident in their techniques and shone, while others only just scraped through their grading test.

Fifteen juniors currently train at the Uechi Ryu karate school, with students ranging across all different levels.

Mr Peady said both Peter and his sister Lana Anderson were building up to be promising black belts.

He said expectations were high for their future achievements in karate.