Sarah Arratoon is the first woman to achieve the rank of master at Kung Fu Academy Castle Hill

Fourteen years of dedication to her craft has seen Sarah Arratoon become the first woman to be awarded the rank of master at Kung Fu Academy Castle Hill

Sarah Arratoon is the first female to be awarded the rank of Shifu (master) at Kung Fu Academy in Castle Hill. Pictures: Troy Snook

After 14 years of intense training, sacrifice and dedication, Sarah Arratoon has made history.

The 39 year old from Northmead is the first female to be awarded a red sash for reaching the rank of master at Kung Fu Academy Castle Hill.

“It is overwhelming and humbling to receive a red sash,” Arratoon said. “To be the first female master of our academy is monumental and a title I hope I am worthy of.”

Arratoon’s journey was a long and gruelling one.

“Training for red sash is a 10-year commitment that begins after we reach black sash,” she said.

Sarah has been training for 14 years to be awarded the red sash.

“The black sash grading is very physically challenging, starting with a 10km run and continuing for around another six hours of intense physical requirements, sparring with peers and demonstrating all of the kung fu techniques, self defence techniques and open hand and weapons forms the student has learned during their training. I have had the opportunity on a few occasions to train in China and brought home … new forms and techniques from each school we visited.

“The red sash journey is an accumulation of years of practise, learning and teaching and an acknowledgment of one’s dedication to the academy and its students.”

While she’s proud of her achievement, Arratoon said her journey in kung fu had only just begun.

She says she’s looking forward to mentoring the next generation of instructors.

“I love kung fu and still enjoy learning new techniques and finding ways to improve,” she said.

“We have a number of instructors who are also progressing toward their red sash achievement and I am looking forward to continuing to support them.

“I will continue to look after the Kung Fu Academy, the students and the instructors together with (head instructor) Shifu Teja Jaensch and make sure they all feel as welcome as I first did all those years ago.”