Karate brothers Connor and Owen Dunckley have pulled off a remarkable family double, writes Oscar Pearson.

Connor, aged 11, and eight-year-old Owen are both members of York Elite Karate, based in Osbaldwick, and passed their latest black belt grading at the first time of asking.

Under the examination of Senseis Andy Sherry (8th Dan) and Frank Brennan (7th Dan), Connor achieved his 2nd Dan and Owen his 1st Dan.

The boys, both pupils at Copmanthorpe Primary School, have been training with York Elite Karate club since they were six years old.

The siblings are among the youngest ever to achieve their 1st and 2nd Dan black belts in the 47-year history of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), the UK’s largest karate association.

Club senior instructor Rob McCartney said: “We are immensely proud of Connor and Owen’s achievements, which they deserve after their hard work and commitment to training and competition.

“We have a very strong junior section at the club, with 25 of our black belts currently aged 14 and under.”

Spokesperson Niall McCreanor praised York Elite’s junior set-up and hopes the boys’ success will encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

“We generally get kids started at the age of six, and it takes about three years to reach the black belt stage,” he said. “We have a couple of eight-year-olds who have achieved 1st Dan but, as far as we know, Owen is the youngest person in KUGB’s history to achieve his 1st Dan black belt.”

He added: “We have many junior members and we grade locally, so absolutely anyone can get involved from ages six to 66.

“We have sessions every week for under-14s, general classes and advanced lessons too.”

For more information about the club visit www.yorkelite.com