Local man wins prestigious martial arts award

A LOCAL karate teacher has won a national award celebrating the achievements of people with disabilities in martial arts.

Andy Wright, of Westbury, won an award celebrating diversity at the 1st Annual Warriors Assemble in Newport.

Andy was born with cerebral palsy, but has never let it stand in the way and is ranked as 6th Dan in karate after training since the mid-80’s.  The nominations and awards were for people who have overcome ill health or disablement.

Up to the age of 8/9 he was reliant on a wheelchair. Following a daylight mugging in 1985 he took up karate.  After regular training and grading, Mr Enoeda, 8th Dan, awarded Andy his 1st dan black belt in 1989.

He started teaching able bodied students in 1990 and soon had a group of classes, where he was teaching 250+ people per week as well as a day job in computers. Karate has taken him all over the world teaching and training, sometimes to places where disabled people are seen but not heard.

Following a lot of training courses and changes of direction, in 2009 Andy went professional as a qigong instructor teaching all over Wiltshire privately and for groups and organisations such as The NHS.  In the same year he won the Wiltshire Council award (Healthy Wiltshire) for the individual who has improved the health of the public.

His classes are very popular but there is always space for new people and he even offers a free first session. Visit www.chikung4health.com for details.

After failed major back surgery in 2014, Andy used qigong daily to rehabilitate himself. For some time there was doubt whether he would be able to walk again, but now does so for short distances with the aid of walking stick.  He is now trying to build up his business again and has diversified into teaching and training online as well as in person  (www.trainingthewrightway.co.uk )

Anthony Pillage from Coventry, a martial artist himself, organised the award ceremony following his own traumatic illness, lung cancer, which he has survived so far.  He saw there was nothing to recognise the achievements of people with disabilities, despite there being many talented instructors and students.  The evening was attended by several hundred supporters with all profits going to cancer charities.

Andy and Anthony met online via facebook, finally meeting in person at the awards ceremony, which was compered by Alex Reid.