Clifton honoured at the Illustrated Hall Of Fame awards

A fine year for Peterborough Freestyle martial arts club ended on a high with a host of new black belts.

Paul Ritchie ( 1 7) , Nick Comben ( 17), Waqas Shezad ( 14), Israr Iltaf ( 12), Alana Meadows ( 11) and Jake Meadows ( 9) - who are all students at the club run by legendary city warrior Clifton Findley- passed a recent grading with flying colours.

That capped a cracking 2012 in which the club had sampled national and international medal glory.

Kevin Buckley and Findley’s son, Kyle, both landed ISKA British Championship gold medals before going on to sample further honours at the ISKA World Championships in Holland.

Buckley claimed silver after an unfortunate cut to the eye scuppered his hopes of gold as he had to retire from the final, while Findley collected anindividual bronze and a team silver.

And Findley senior’s outstanding service to martial arts was recognised when he received his 5th Dan before winning the Outstanding Achievement accolade at the Martial Arts Illustrated Hall of Fame Awards.

“I was completely shocked and flattered,” said Findley. “It is humbling to think that people from all over the country voted for me to win the award.”

Findley is pictured with his award and some of his students.