Stevie Mason claims karate 6th Dan

DID you hear the one about the Clydesdale karate instructor who wowed Japanese legends in London to become a 6th Dan?
Karate 6th Dan Stevie Mason, achieved accolade during grading with Japanese masters in London (Pic by Jim Clare)Karate 6th Dan Stevie Mason, achieved accolade during grading with Japanese masters in London (Pic by Jim Clare)
Karate 6th Dan Stevie Mason, achieved accolade during grading with Japanese masters in London (Pic by Jim Clare)

Step forward Stevie Mason, long-time head coach of Clydesdale’s Kihonkai Karate Academy, who shone at the recent three-hour grading in Streatham Leisure Centre.

“Doing the grading was incredibly stressful,” said Stevie (46), who has done karate for 35 years.

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“I was sitting in front of a panel of martial arts masters including Mikio Yahara, the biggest name in karate. He is the outstanding Karate World Federation guy in the world and a karate legend.

“I’m thrilled to have passed and progressed so far up the karate rankings, because – although I knew I’d done well overall – I thought I’d made a mess of the refereeing section and I found some of the questions tough.

“Karate has been a life study for me and I’m delighted to now be a 6th Dan.”

Stevie (46) received his invitation to the London grading due to his high profile role as Scotland’s chief instructor with the Karate World Federation.

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.