KARATE kings at the Shogun Academy have chopped and kicked their way to new heights in a recent exam.

The academy, which was the first of its kind to open in Crewe, gained a new black belt and a second dan black belt as 12 from 14 students passed with flying colours.

Leading the way were keep fit fanatic Joe Doran and 14-year-old Adam Walsh, who after studying the traditional Shotokan karate for over six years made the grade to second dan.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.