2021 INTA Black Belt Grading

On Saturday 7th of August ,the INTA hosted its national blackbelt grading in the Glenroyal hotel,Maynooth Co. Kildare. This was the first time since the covid 19 pandemic that a black belt grading has taken place. 38 candidates presented themselves for the grading with 21 candidates testing for 1st degree , 8 for 2nd degree ,5 for 3rd degree, 2 for 4th degree and 2 for 6th degree.
Those testing for 1st degree were testing in one room under a grading panel of

    Master Donnelly 7th degree( Panel chair)
    Master Franks 8th degree
    Master Fagan 7th degree
    Master Troy 7th degree
    Mr Ng 6th degree


Those testing for higher dan grades were tested simultaneously in another room under a grading panel of

    GM Douglas 9th degree (president of the INTA)
    GM O Toole 9th degree
    Master Martin 8th degree


Due to the current covid 19 restrictions the grading had to be adapted  to suit the current guidelines. Candidates were tested in fundamental movements ,patterns ,socially distanced 3,2 and 1 step sparring and free sparring. After this candidates were quizzed on theory and then had to perform the power test. After each group had finished their test they were given their results and exited through the back door of the room.