Taekwon-do black belt for boy, 10

Callum and Lara are Taekwon-do black belts

A boy has become one of the youngest in the UK to gain a black belt in the Korean martial art taekwon-do.

Callum Stephen, from Llandinam, near Newtown, was aged 10 when he was examined for the belt earlier this month. He turned 11 on Thursday.

His 12-year-old sister Lara was awarded her black belt at the same time.

Callum, a former junior British champion, had to master some phrases of Korean in order to gain his belt.

Both his instructor and the chairman of Global Taekwon-do International (GTI) - an umbrella organisation - said it was unusual for a boy so young to be awarded the prestigious black belt.

Callum, who attends Caersws Primary School, said: "It's a good sport and helps you defend yourself. It teaches you dedication and discipline, gives you more confidence and keeps you fit."

It (Taekwon-do) teaches you dedication and discipline Callum Stephen

"I took up the sport four-and-a-half years ago and I've really enjoyed it. It's great to get my black belt and I want to carry on."

Callum and Lara, whose brother Dylan, eight, is also an enthusiast, were examined together by five experienced black belts in Derby earlier this month, one of whom was a taekwon-do world champion.

Lara said: "We were tested for about an hour. The sport has inspired me and has given me more confidence and teaches discipline and dedication."

Parents Paul and Gwyneth are proud of their children. Paul, who is also a taekwon-do black belt, took up the sport 25 years ago but no longer practices.

James Kessler, Callum and Lara's instructor, said: "I have known 11-year-olds get their black belts but it's unusual for a 10-year-old to get it.

The brother and sister study the sport in Welshpool

"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I'm sure there have been younger people who have gained a black belt, but it's quite an achievement to get it at 10."

Mr Kessler said Callum and Lara had mastered punches, strikes, kicks and jumping kicks.

They make up what are known as patterns which aspiring black belts have to memorise.

Paresh Bhadeshia, GTI chairman, said: "As far as I'm aware, Callum is certainly one of the youngest in the UK to gain a black belt.

"To achieve this at the standards we set is very, very good and a major achievement."

In 2003, eight-year-old Zach Galliford, from Borth, near Aberystwyth, was awarded a black belt in karate. He became the youngest black belt member of the Karate Union of Great Britain.