Traditional Shotokan Karate in Sunderland, UK

3 new black belts

The Dokan Karate Club is proud to present its three new Black Belt students Eleisha Jane Mitchinson aged 10, Brad Million aged 15 and Aidan Alsaadoun aged 10. All passed their 1st Dan grade on Sunday 24.06.2012.

The standard of their all round karate was a credit to themselves as they looked fantastic in all aspects of karate. All three train a minimum of four times a week and compete in every competition the club enters; and the club enters loads of competitions.

Head coach and Sensei Kevan Mitchinson said " I am really pleased with the three of them. They have put in a lot of hours and trained extremely hard. We have three more high-quality black belts to add to our roster."

All Dokan black belts have to know not only one or two of the brown-to-black katas but every one of them and they have to change their chosen kata every grading.

New Black Belts
L to R: Eleisha Mitchinson, Brad Million and Aidan Alsaadoun


The summer grading was a larger than planned affair with a good standard throughout. As there were so many gradees the grading was split into two halves with special awards for best performances in both halves.

Awards (Lower Grades):
  • 1st: Lola Cassidy
  • 2nd: Tammy Proctor
  • 3rd: Alex Steadman

Awards (Higher Grades):
  • 1st: Aidan Alsaadoun
  • 2nd: Sadie Stoner
  • 3rd: Hannah Nicholson

Best Grading of the day:
  • Eleisha Mitchinson


To see some videos taken at the grading click here.