“I WOULD’NT mind some of that!”

One lunch hour in the summer of 1974, an apprentice joiner’s interest was pricked as he watched a workmate practice karate moves.

Immediately, Paul Graham knew that was what he needed in his own life.

Now, 50 years dedication to martial arts have passed by and the Appleton resident – a ninth dan black belt - is widely regarded as one of the top UK karate coaches.

The 68-year-old chief instructor of Cheshire Martial Arts Centre, where he is a director, is also president of the Shukokai-Shitoryu Karate Alliance (SSKA) as well as being their England head coach.

His commitment and loyalty to karate have been recognised within the sport throughout 2024.

While attending the European Championships in Poland – where eight of his competing students brought home five medals - the senior members of the world governing body, WUKF, presented Paul with a special certificate of acknowledgement.

His Cheshire Martial Arts instructors and students presented him with a celebration certificate to appreciate his efforts, as did the committee members of the SSKA.

He is proud of his achievements, but he is happiest when seeing the joy on the faces of those who he coaches to be the best they can be.

Hanshi, his karate title which translates into ‘master of masters, teacher of teacher’, remembers how the scene he witnessed in August 1974 led to a life devoted to the values that the ancient art empowers – such as discipline, respect and self defence.

“I started when I was 18 in the summer of 1974 at Orford Boys Club, with a friend of mine called Phil Donoghue,” recalls Paul.

“We used to work together. He was a painter and I was an apprentice joiner. One lunchtime he was practicing his karate, and I thought ‘I wouldn’t mind some of that’ and that’s how it all started.

“He was teaching me and then later on he introduced me to the club he was going to, Newton-le-Willows Karate Club, and the instructor was called Brian Helsby.”

Paul achieved his first-dan black belt four years after starting out.

“I’ve always been ambitious to go as far as I could. I wanted the black belt, and I just kept going,” he said.

“That led to competing at England, European and world level as well.”

Senior members of the world governing body, WUKF, presenting Paul with a special certificate of acknowledgement (Image: Contributed)

Highlights of his days on the mat were competing in team kata (synchronised patterned moves)  for Great Britain in the 1994 World Championships in Malaysia, and then for England in the 1998 European Championships in Belgrade, which was in Yugoslavia at the time.

“I stopped competing in my 40s, and I was coaching as well as competing,” said Paul.

“Then I realised I should be concentrating more on my students and I more or less retired from competitions.”

The ability to pass on his knowledge to his students has been shown in steering a good number to national, European and world titles.

“Without a doubt I’ve had more joy out of coaching than competing,” said Paul.

“It’s the joy of seeing people achieve titles.

“Some of the world champions have been with me since they were five or six years of age and now they’re in the 20s, 30s and 40s some of them.

“I’m now teaching grandchildren of people who used to train with me. I get a lot of different generations of the same family coming on board.

“One of my instructors is a hospital doctor. She started with me when she was about eight or nine, and now she’s come back in her 30s and brought both of her boys. There’s quite a few instances like that.”

He said he cannot imagine life without martial arts and added: “I don’t do anything else. You can’t, with the level I got to and the coaching levels. I’ve no regrets.”

It is a family affair too, as Paul explained.

“My wife Anthea’s a fourth dan in karate. And our son Ben is a fourth dan, and he’s An English, British, European and world champion,” he said.

“They’re with me at Cheshire Martial Arts as well.”

Paul is presented with a celebration certificate on behalf of the Cheshire Martial Arts Centre instructors and students (Image: Contributed)

Paul has no plans to call time on his devotion to karate at the Norman Street venue and beyond.

“I’m still active, doing the squads,” he said while confirming he would like to go as high as he can by becoming a 10th dan in eight years’ time.

“I still want to coach the kids through the levels.

“I just love doing what I’ve been doing. It has had its ups and downs, but the majority of the time it’s paid off – it makes you feel good, it makes you humble.

“It’s great to see some of the young kids coming through, achieving with big smiles on their faces.”

The respect for Paul was never better illustrated than when he won the Warrington Sports Personality Special Award for 1999.

In the nomination, one of his successful students summed up his influence and achievement saying: "He is a very special person and inspires us all."