ONE OF the region's most respected karate man is retiring.
Kendal's Stephen Chaplow, 50, is a fifth Dan black belt with more than 30 years of training and teaching experience throughout Cumbria.
Under his leadership, the Kendal Club has produced around a dozen black belts, no mean feat considering each black belt can take up to four years to complete.
Stephen was awarded with an honourary award at the 40th Chojinkai Karate Clubs Anniversary Dinner & Awards Evening at the Hallmark Hotel in Carlisle on November 15 to mark his "outstanding contribution to Chojinkai Karate".
As well as refereeing, he competed nationally and internationally in karate competitions.
He will be replaced in January by Matthew Miller, fourth Dan, who has been training at the club for 14 years.
Doug James, chief instructor, said: "Stephen has got a lot of respect around Kendal and within our association. He has made a huge contribution to producing black belts and that is quite an achievement."
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