Obtaining a blackbelt in karate is an achievement at any age – but for Phyllis, passing her 1st Dan at the age of 78 brought about some national TV interest. 

Whilst living in her home in the West Midlands, Phyllis received a knock at the door inviting her to join a new self-defence class. Unaware of the details, Phyllis signed up and discovered she had unknowingly joined a Go-Kan-Ryu karate club. 

“I didn’t know what to expect when I first got there; I was quite shocked!” said Phyllis. 

“But I loved it. Karate teaches discipline and humility. I was the oldest one there, but we all trained together, from children up to my age. It was lovely.” 

Despite being in her early 70s, Phyllis began training between three and four times a week. After passing her two-and-a-half hour grading, she became the oldest female in the UK to pass her blackbelt. 

“I was invited onto TV, which surprised me,” said Phyllis. 

“I went onto GMTV when Ben Shephard was in charge and I had to punch him, which I did. And then I was invited afterwards to go onto TFI Friday and I punched a piece of wood with my fist.” 

“It was all lovely,” she said. 

Phyllis was also given a cameo in a Halifax advert, putting her martial arts skills to the test. 

Shortly after passing her black belt, Phyllis decided to move out of her two-bedroom property and into a nearby Extra Care scheme to free up the property for a family. 

“It was the best day’s work I ever did when I moved in here,” she said. 

“You’ve got everything you need; there’s so many facilities which you wouldn’t get just living in a council house. If I’ve got a problem I can go and ask the Local Housing Manager or any of the Care Workers or employees, they’re so friendly and helpful.” 

Having retired from karate Phyllis now fills her time with puzzle books, bingo, dominoes and working on the scheme’s reception desk. 

“Going on the desk keeps me active, keeps the brain active and I’m meeting people,” she said. 

“I wouldn’t be able knock the skin off a rice pudding these days, I’m not strong enough. But the instincts are still there,” she said