This week at Ely & Witchford Tang Soo Do we presented many of our students with their new Gup grades earned at the recent GBTSDA South Cambs grading. 

Held at One Leisure St Ives sports centre on Sunday 22^nd March, the grading brought together students from across South Cambridgeshire to be tested in front of a panel of WTSDA masters over seen by the ever watchful eyes of KCN Khan, assistant Grandmaster of the WTSDA, founder and chief instructor of GBTSDA.  

A total of 15 students from the club took part in the grading at all levels from beginner white belt through to senior red belt. Our students range in age from young primary school age through college age to adults and parents. 

Our students always give their best, often recognised by the judging panel for their level of performance. This time one of our youngest students, Alicja, was awarded the most improved award for the Brown belt category, condidered the half way point on a students journey to black belt. 

Also noted was the contribution, by the club, to the grading itself, with our senior instructors serving on the judging panels as well as our Dan grades conducting the Green and Red categories, leading breaking teams, supporting and guiding the junior grades being tested and also taking part in partner and group testing. 

These photos are after the students have received their new belts in class, no photos are taken during the grading because of child protection and safeguarding rules observed by GBTSDA. 

December 13 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

September 13 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

June 14 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

March 22 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

On Sunday 16th March, Cooper, Alicja, Rich & Kate, representing Ely & Witchford Tang Soo Do, successfully graded to their next belts. Cooper, Alicja & Rich attained the rank of 5th Gup (Green Tag) while Kate attained her 2nd Gup (Red) belt as well as being presented with the most improved award within her grade. Kate is now two grades away from being Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidate).

The grading took place Huntingdon sports centre in front of a grading panel of senior GBTSDA (Great Britain Tang Soo Do Assoc) masters under the watchful eyes of BKCN Khan, assistant Grandmaster and European regional director of the WTSDA (World Tang Soo Do Assoc), head of GBTSDA.

During the grading each student must demonstrate their level of fitness and mastery of their techniques consisting of combinations of strikes, blocks and kicks, as well as sparring and self-defence techniques. Kate also had to show proficiency with a bo-staff weapon. Prior to the physical test they also all took written tests in Korean terminology.

Focus for Rich and Kate now shifts to preparing for next month’s National Championships in Nottingham.

Their achievements were also covered in the Ely Standard local paper:

December 14, 2025 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

September 14, 2025 @ 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

June 22, 2025 @ 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.

White and orange belts to arrive 12.50pm for 1 pm start.

Green, brown and red belts to arrive 1.45pm for the written test.

March 16, 2025 @ 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Grading for all gup grades.