VIDEO: Leeds boy Alfie, seven, is a real life karate kid

The Leeds youngster is one of the youngest black belts in the region after achieving the grade in Wadu-Ryu at the West Yorkshire Schools of Karate and Oriental Arts.

Alfie, from Morley, started learning the style of karate when he was four years old and has moved up the ranks quickly, despite only being in Year Two at school.

As well as being the youngest black belt in the history of his club, Alfie has been added to the national register for Wadu-Ryu.

His mum Rebecca Oliver, of Glen Road, said: “We were looking for an activity for him to do. When we took him for the first few times he was nervous, but all of a sudden he was being graded every three months.

“He has had to learn some Japanese, so he knows the names of the moves and how to count.”

Alfie, who trains for five hours a week, has been competing in tournaments twice a year and has received nine trophies.

Rebecca said: “Because he was of a high grade at a young age he hasn’t had to go into age categories. One of his first place medals was from competing in the under 11s.”

Now a qualified instructor, he has been teaching people of all ages, with students ranging from a 52-year-old man to a nine-year-old girl.

Tanya Pollard, chief instructor at Iruka Karate Club, said: “I don’t have many children as eager to learn as Alfie.

“If you tell him something that he needs to change, he will listen to what you say and change it.”

The club’s sensei - or teacher - is hoping that Alfie will reach his fourth dan, which is the ranking system, by the age of 18.

Rebecca said: “This is a massive achievement, especially at such a young 
age.

“I feel it needs to be recognised not just for his achievement but to show other children you can do anything if you work hard.”