Sempai Ann Holmes

"In 1996 a young, unfit mum heard that Sandokai Karate was coming to town. I was on a budget and wanted to get fit. Karate was cheap and in the village. During my life I was on the receiving end of some fists and now had a chance to, perhaps, learn how to stand up for myself.

"Several years later I am not so young, slightly fitter, but am part of a very happy band of people. An association that are happy to pass on their experience and delight in seeing others succeed, watch the confidence gained by all those who join knowing that once they have experienced being part of this family they will find it hard to leave.

"I did give up training for a couple of years but missed this happy bunch of "pacifists" and decided to return.

"I will not forget they day I was handed my black belt. Not only had I achieved something special, and still 3 days off my 40th birthday, I also felt the support of every single person in the room from beginners to Sensei. This meant more to me than anything I have experienced before - including my successes on the athletics field as a child.

"I can now walk up to anyone who has given me grief in the past with the knowledge that if they decide to strike again I will be able to stop them for a little while - before I muster the strength to run away."