A KENDRAY man has become a black belt at karate - aged 66.
Pete Cassy, 66, of Yews Lane, has been a member of Barnsley Shotokan Karate Club for almost ten years and passed his black belt this month in a grading session run by two of the most senior instructors in Europe.
These were senseis Andy Sherry, who was the first to be awarded a black belt in the UK, and Frank Brennan, who captained the team that beat Japan in the 1990 world championships.
Pete is now the proud owner of a silk black belt and says he is thinking of learning how to teach the self-defence sport now he has met the minimum requirement.
He said: "I'm still in a bit of a daze, really, I didn't think I would get there. But I just kept going and thought 'why not?'
"I'm hoping I can be an inspiration to some of the younger members coming through because, if I can do it, anyone can."
More in this week's Chronicle.
