Hedland women earn black belts

A pair of martial artists from ATA Hedland Taekwondo Club have had their hard work and dedication rewarded after training for more than three years.

Relma Bule-Turner and Tamara Batalin-Lovell are getting a kick out of life following their graduation as black belts in the ancient Korean martial art of Taekwondo.

Batalin-Lovell said she was still pinching herself and could not believe she was now a black belt in Taekwondo.

Bule-Turner likened the experience to earning a degree from university.

"I am so excited and proud of myself," she said.

Both women recently paired at the WA State Championships winning gold medals in the team Poomsae competition or technical patterns.

Both women said they wanted to see more mothers demonstrate age was no barrier and start the sport as mature students.

Club head instructor Tim Turner said both women were worthy recipients and exceptional instructors who inspired other women and gave confidence to young girls in Hedland and across the Pilbara.

"To get to this point it's three or four years of training at least twice a week," Turner said.

"You have to be able to break boards, not that I want to scare women off, but it is really challenging and there is a level of fitness required and some technical skills.

"They had to spar against multiple opponents, and they were assessed by a grand master."

Turner said both Bule-Turner and Batalin-Lovell were awarded their black belts after their first attempt at assessment, which was extremely commendable.

"Sometimes it can take two or three goes," he said.

"Black belts aren't awarded just for rocking up, you've actually got to earn them."

New students are welcome at ATA Hedland Taekwondo Club and for inquiries, contact instructor Relma Bule-Turner on 0408 903 733.