ALEX Grange, the assistant instructor at Dragon Taekwondo Academy in Halwill Junction, has become a master fifth Dan black belt in Taekwondo.

The Dan grading was held under Kukkiwon/World Chung Do Kwan international rules at the academy.

The club was honoured on Sunday, to play host to the country's senior UK Chung do Kwan examiner and instructor, grandmaster Andrew Davies, eighth Dan.

Alex had to display all of the physical elements of Taekwondo. This included patterns, Olympic style sparring — with up to three other black belts at the same time — self defence, defence against multiple attackers, perform a special multiple destruction technique and submit a 5,000 word theses.

Alex, aged 35, began training aged seven years old, in London alongside his sister and father, then at his father's own club in Sussex. Alex spent six years living and working in Korea, the home of Taekwondo before returning to the UK in August.

Alex is an international double medal winner in the martial art of Hapkido in Korea 2010. He also won many other national titles for Taekwondo. He was also made a black belt in Hapkido while in Korea.

At present, Alex teaches Taekwondo alongside his dad, Niall Grange, senior instructor of Dragon Taekwondo Academy.

For information about training in Korean martial arts at Dragon Academy, contact Niall or Alex on 01409 221458 or visit the website http://www.devontaekwondo.com">www.devontaekwondo.com