King's High School student Te Atarau Cassidy attended the training held last weekend, starting Friday night with grading hopefuls from across the South Island being put through their paces to see if they were ready to grade. With many drills, the pre-grading check finished at midnight.

The grading itself started on Saturday morning at 6am. With many drills and only the occasional water break. The students lined up for their final sparring fights just after mid-day. Te Atarau had the privilege of facing some of the best fighters in the country for his three fights and held his own.

A tipare ceremony and feast followed, the reward for many hours of training and grading and Te Atarau joined the club as a tauira (student) of Te Whare Tū Taua.

Ka mihi e te toa, kia kaha , kia maia, kia akitu.

Picture: Te Atarau (green sleeves) and akona demonstrating their skills in front of the wharenui.