Seven children aged between four to five years have earned a promotion in the Kenya Taekwondo Federation training programme held at Nova Pioneer Tatu Primary and International School in Nairobi yesterday.

The seven included Devan Mwenda, Ajania Mumu, Teresa Mwangi, Reece Jamie, Ethan Nyongesa, Waweru Njiriri and Leiyan Njau.

They excelled in defensive skills and the quickness to learn the rules of the game besides other techniques of training in the race for top honours.

As a result, seven graduated from white belt to eight yellow. A total of 38 martial arts professionals graduated from one rank to the other in the five-pecking-orders of the federation that distinguished the right students from beginners, intermediate and to advanced level.

“This was meant to increase capacities of these and other players as they rise up the ranks to have their different capacities boosted in preparedness for local and international championships,” the event director Michael Wanjau told Standard Sports. Ajania Mumu and Teresa Mwangi impressed the examiners and came out tops. “Ajania was potential, aggressive and accurate with his kicks and attacks while Teresa (Mwangi) is naturally flexible, which is a crucial component in the game,” Wanjau said.

The event was conducted by federation officials led by grandmaster Patrick Ngana, Joseph Sagimu, Sheikh Balala, Kelly Bosa, H.H. Michael and Wanjau.