What makes this even more exceptional is five of the six participants are from the same family.

The McLeans - David, Janine and their three children Sharnah, Mitchell and Tenika - along with Srijan Sinha have been training consistently for the past six years - starting in 1999.

They each passed their black belt grading exam with outstanding performances.

Sinha began martial arts training when he was eight years old after joining the club's introductory sessions and progressing through to the advanced classes he currently attends.

As well as his main sport of taekwondo he enjoys basketball and is studying in Year 9 at the Macquarie Anglican Grammar School.

The McLeans chose taekwondo because it was a sport they could do as a family (the sparring gets very interesting).

They attend all sessions together and have supported each other the entire way through their training - with a policy of they all grade together or not at all, waiting to the next exam when necessary.

During their martial arts careers Srijan and the McLeans have participated and been placed in several competitions as well as assisting with the instruction of classes.

For the past 12 months they have focused all their energy into the goal of black belt, attending training sessions from three to six nights per week in preparation.

On grading day the six students had overwhelming support from fellow club members, who were there encouraging them through the three-hour ordeal.

Exam components included self defence against consecutive attackers, five board breaks each, sparring (traditionally done against black belts) and patterns.

Spectators were left in awe of the spirit and technique demonstrated throughout the entire grading, leaving with only praise for the worthy black belt recipients.

Kaishin Taekwondo is operated from the Buninyong School hall in East Dubbo and anyone who is interested in doing an introductory course may contact Kym Porrelli on 6884 5201.