The 14-year-old had been in training six nights a week for more than a year in preparation for the grading, which lasted several hours.
The grading - at the dojo on High St - involved an array of mental and physical challenges, including more than an hour's worth of sparring which saw Cheyanne take part in 40 continuous fights.
"‘It was really challenging, especially the mental challenge which people don't see. It was good to get through it, and it was great to get the chance to do it.'"
It was an especially proud moment for Cheyanne's father, Senpai (master) David Martin, who first introduced the Mountainview High School pupil to the martial art more than 10 years ago, and who has trained with her ever since.
"It was a proud moment for us. I would like to thank Jun Shihan [new master] Michael [Higgs] for giving her the opportunity. It was good seeing her do it, but hard at the same time seeing your daughter sparring against bigger, more experienced opponents."
Cheyanne, who admitted feeling ‘‘sore'' on Sunday but still took part in the Timaru Seido Karate Club's annual beach training activities, already has her sights set on her next belt.
Aaron Greaves and Paula Thompson, of Temuka, and Lorna Brosnahan, of Dunedin, also received black belts at Saturday's grading.
