A karate instructor from Canterbury has been awarded his 5th Dan.

Mick Elcombe was given the award last month after members of the NAKMAS National Governing Body committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of his promotion.

The 55-year-old trains twice a week at Kent Karate Schools in Hersden.

He said: “At first I was shocked. It’s an honour and is something which I never thought I’d get.”

Elcombe also teaches at the club and this grade makes him one of only three shihans (master) in the world that practises the style of Tsuyoi-Ryu.

Chief instructor, Joe Ellis, who is also a master of Tsuyoi karate, said: “Mick sincerely deserves this grade. He trains every week and has extremely high standards of ethics and etiquette.

“He is a credit not only to karate locally, but also nationally. Mick is a good example of a shihan within karate. This was well noted at the national committee meeting where voting was unanimous.”

Elcombe added: “I’m going to carry on until I can’t get out of bed. I like the focus of doing a martial art and what it stands for.”

nFOR further information on adult and children’s lessons at the Kent Karate School call 01227 370055 or log onto www.kentkarateschools.co.uk