Meet the pair of pensioners who have become two of the oldest people in Britain to achieve black belts in karate.
Sprightly Sheila Stewart, 72, and Isabel Murray, 77, took up the sport in 2015 when Sheila began taking her grandchildren to classes.
The fighting-fit duo, both from Dalgety Bay, went through 12 grades from white belt before being awarded their coveted black belts.
Under the guidance of fifth dan instructor Sarah Queen, who created a class for the pair to develop their skills, they have now achieved one of the highest ranks in the martial art.
The pensioners reached the rank on November 16 after four years of honing their fighting techniques at the Japan Karate Shoto Federation (JKS) Scotland headquarters in Dunfermline.
Marking the milestone, the delighted women were both given special black belts from Japan, complete with their names embroidered on them.
Sheila, a grandmother of three and former hairdresser, said: “My grandchildren do karate and they had a fun day in Burntisland.
“I went along and Sarah was willing to do a class for seniors, so I thought I’d give it a go. Me and Isabel went along and the rest is history.
“We were a bit hesitant about our first grading but Sarah thought we could do it and we passed, so we did the next one.
“It’s just gone on from there – it’s been amazing. We never ever thought we’d get to the stage we’re at now.
“Words really fail me, it was just wonderful. We were ecstatic when given the belts. We couldn’t believe we’d got this far. If we could’ve done somersaults we would’ve done.”
Isabel, a former delivery driver, said: “It was exciting, something I never thought I’d achieve, but by perseverance and hard work I got there.
“Our first grading was in March 2016 and we just went on from there, but it’s been hard work. At our age the brain sometimes likes to go to sleep.
“It started off as fun and just a hobby, but we didn’t realise Sarah would take us further. It’s an achievement for her as well.”
Despite being hesitant at first about doing karate because of the combat element, mum-of-two Isabel is glad she decided to do it.
She said: “Sheila came to my door and asked if I wanted to go. I’ve never been into fitness like the gym but I’m into walking.
“She persuaded me and I’m glad she did. I enjoy it. It’s fun, exercise and a bit of self- defence. People say ‘I don’t want to get on the wrong side of you now’.”
Despite achieving black-belt status the pair show no sign of stopping.
Isabel said: “We’re still going to go.
“What we’d like to do is go over the katas again to refresh.
“It’d be nice to go through them and see how much we’ve remembered.”
Sarah, who coached Sheila and Isabel for four years, said: “They’ve been fun to teach.
“You need to encourage them to do some things but it’s been good for them and for me.
“I’m glad to see them achieving black belt.”
Sixth dan Paul Giannandrea, lead instructor at JKS Scotland, said: “To see two elderly people start karate at that stage in their lives and follow through so consistently is a miracle.”
