A CELEBRATED martial arts expert has paid tribute to a coach who is marking the 20th anniversary of his karate school with an open day.

World Federation of Karate and England Squad coach Ady Gray said he would herald the milestone with a range of fun activities and lessons at his shotokan dojo in Copt Hewick, near Ripon, tomorrow (July 11), from 3pm to 5pm.

Mr Gray, a 5th Dan Black Belt and former Royal Engineers sportsman, said he wanted to show potential students and parents that while his pupils regularly competed at regional and national level, nobody would get injured by accident in his school.

Dave Hazard, a world renowned 7th Dan Black Belt who gives regular masterclass weekends at the school, said Mr Gray's efforts to teach self-defence techniques alongside developing pupil's moral integrity had proved a great boost for the area.

Mr Hazard said: “He is producing students of a very high level for national and international competitions but, more importantly, he is producing people that are a credit to Ripon and society as a whole."

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