Snug local Rachael Taylor has been rewarded for outstanding effort by achieving her junior Shodan (black belt) at just 11 years of age.
Rachael trains with the teenage, Ninja Warriors class to learn traditional battlefield techniques of the ninja and samurai at the Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo under Sensei Duncan Stewart.
Having trained with the dojo for six years, Rachael’s Sensei has been impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm and offered his congratulations.
“Rachael was tested on a variety of skills such as kamae, sanshin no kata, kihon happou, taihen-jutsu, ken-jutsu, bo-jutsu, naginata-jutsu, shuriken-jutsu, hanbo-jutsu, ha-jutsu, muto dori and randori,” said Mr Stewart.
“She has proven to understand and demonstrate a solid base in this art with great heart and feeling.
“She is a wonderful student of this dojo and an inspiration to members young and old.
“My congratulations once again to Rachael and her family on this wonderful achievement,” Mr Stewart concluded.
Rachael’s father Anthony reported how proud he was of his daughter’s achievement after she successfully completed the intense, hour long grading assessment.
“She demonstrated proficiency in a range of weapons, falls and rolls and hand combat techniques for an hour,” said Mr Taylor.
“Duncan has not previously awarded a junior Shodan to anyone under the age of 16, but on the strength of Rachael’s commitment, enthusiasm and temperament, after six years she has earned her black belt at the age of 11,” Mr Taylor concluded.

Pictured above: Rachael Taylor (11) has been awarded her junior Shodan (black belt) after successfully completing an hour-long grading assessment and is the first person under 16 years of age to be awarded this level of competence under her instructor, Sensei Duncan Stewart. (PS)