JUDO: SAMURAI Judo Club senior coach Keith Merrick has hit the highest judo grade in Worcestershire after his promotion to sixth dan.

The grade is above black belt and many judo players have never seen the belt which is made up of red and white blocks.

It is given for exceptional services to the sport and is awarded by the British Judo Association.

Merrick, 41, has worked hard for the sport in many capacities over the years.

In addition to his contest skills and record, he is a senior coach and takes the Wednesday night senior session.

Merrick took over from retired World Veterans champion Dave Walker but has quickly established himself.

He is also a national referee and a senior examiner, one of two at Samurai.

The club have seen players promoted to every dan up to sixth during the last year, a possibly record-breaking result.

Meanwhile, seven juniors recorded impressive results at a grading.

Tom Walker threw his opponents in every direction to move from top yellow to top orange belt as did the impressive Ellen Ingram.

Ben Newbury, already an orange belt, won his matches to go to top orange, whilst Lee Davenport and Joe Bennett did even better to gain green belts.

Amy Darch, 12, continues to carve a name for herself, including a win against a green belt two stones heavier.

Darch's display lifted her past her father's ranking and straight to green belt.

National junior bronze medal winner Kate Walker, 11, beat all her opponents coolly to move from orange to middle green.