Want the top news headlines sent to your inbox daily? Sign up to our FREE newsletter below Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Karate kid Grace Townsley might be just 6-years-old, but she’s a force to be reckoned with after becoming a 1st dan black belt.

At just 122cm tall, amazing Grace flings adults around a mat and has earned herself the prestigious title of being the youngest schoolgirl in Britain - and possible Europe - to have such status.

She was just four-years-old when she took up the sport and now you can’t keep her away from the Dw Ryu MMA Karate Club in Hebburn, South Tyneside.

Grace arrived into the world a little fighter after being an IVF baby, being born a healthy 9lb 1oz while her twin died early in the pregnancy.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Now Grace, of Hebburn, is over the moon with her achievement and has got her sights on becoming a Grand Master.

The Toner Avenue School pupil said: “I feel really happy that I am now a black belt. I now want to help the younger children to get their belts as well. I want to keep doing karate so I can become a Grand Master.”

Proud parents, Corrinna and Paul, are ecstatic and can’t praise Grace enough.

Dental hygienist and therapist Corrinna, 38, said: “Grace was awarded her black belt 1st dan in karate and she is the youngest girl in the UK and possibly Europe to have achieved this.

“She was a second attempt IVF baby, my husband and I waited 14 years before she came along and she has brought us so much happiness. A true gift from God. She has been so dedicated to karate from the age of four and we are proud as punch at what she has achieved.

“Grace started karate back in September 2016 and passed her first belt (orange) on 24 October 2016 and two-and-a-half-years later passed her black belt 1st dan on April 25 this year. She fights alongside other children as well as adults, in fact the eldest adult is 60. Both adults and children have to perform a kata which consists of 40 moves memorised in order to pass their black belt grading and she did it.

"She's the youngest girl in Britain to have this and we believe she is currently the youngest in Europe."

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Dad Paul, 39, a shotblaster, said: “If she can achieve this at this age, what will she go on to achieve as she gets older? It’s outstanding.

"We really couldn’t be prouder right now. When we think back to all of that emotional pain of trying for a child for 14 years and here she is filling our lives with so much joy and happiness. We feel so blessed.”

Corrinna added: “Grace was born through IVF. Her embryo was frozen after we had a failed attempt back in 2009. After this failed attempt, doctors froze five embryos and when we went to try again in 2012 only two embryos survived the thawing process. Both embryos were placed and I found out I was pregnant with twins in August 2011.

“Unfortunately, after seven weeks I started bleeding and immediately thought that we were going to lose them. I went for a scan and unfortunately I lost one but there was still one tiny dot visible on the scan and that was Grace!

“Out of eight fertilised embryos she was the only one to survive. She’s been a little fighter since being in the womb.

(Image: Corrinna Towsley)

“To see her grow and achieve what she has at such a young age makes my heart burst with pride. Who’d have thought after trying for so long to have a child I would have one that has gone on to become, we believe, the current youngest black belt in Europe. It’s just absolutely amazing. Our amazing Grace.”

Grace’s karate teacher David Wilson from Dw Ryu MMA Karate Club, based at St Aloysius Church Hall, Argyle Street, Hebburn, said: “Grace has achieved her black belt at the remarkable age of six through her dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.

“She started classes when she was just four-years-old and has attended twice weekly throughout that time.

“Grace did not only pass the practical side of her grading which included a 40 move kata, she also achieved 100% in the short theory test of muscles and bones. It has been an honour and a pleasure to have Grace as a student, hopefully she will carry on to achieve her 2nd dan in two-years-time.

“We have a great family oriented club and we are all so proud of what Grace has accomplished. I would also like to thank her family as it is a big commitment from them to bring Grace along to classes.”