Two women from Somerset, Susie McPherson of Merriott and Beryl Bellamy of South Petherton, have defied age expectations by earning their black belts in karate after beginning the sport following lockdown.
The pair, both 79 years old, recently made headlines on national and local television for their accomplishment. They started karate classes at Nishikan Martial Arts in Merriott as a way to combat boredom during lockdown and to learn useful self-defense skills.
Susie shared, “Beryl and I wanted to try something new after lockdown. We were tired of being inactive and thought karate would be a great challenge. The instructor didn’t expect us to return after the first session since we were training alongside younger students, but we persevered and fell in love with it. It’s great for both our mental and physical health.”
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Achieving their black belts involved demonstrating key skills such as defending against an attacker and breaking wooden boards. Their success was a proud moment for both women and their families.
Nishikan Martial Arts, which offers inclusive classes for all ages—from toddlers to octogenarians—in Merriott and Wincanton, emphasizes a personalized approach to karate. This style adapts martial arts techniques to suit individual abilities, moving away from a one-size-fits-all model. This approach enabled Susie and Beryl to effectively learn and excel in karate well into their seventies.
Sensei Brett Jacobs, their instructor, said, “The Nishikan philosophy is that martial arts must be tailored to each individual. Students learn a wide range of techniques and must meet minimum competency standards. Susie and Beryl are in better shape than many younger students, thanks to this adaptive training method, allowing them to achieve first dan black belt as they near 80.”
Despite the media attention, Susie remains humble. “I’m not sure why there’s so much fuss—we just wanted to try it out. Brett and Kevin have been amazing throughout, making us feel part of the community. I hope our journey inspires others, young or old, to take up martial arts. It’s a valuable life skill and great exercise.”
Nishikan Martial Arts continues to welcome students of all ages at its classes in Merriott and Wincanton, encouraging anyone interested in fitness and self-defense to join.