A MARTIAL arts teacher is celebrating after landing a top award.
Physiotherapist Mark Draper, of Culcheth, has been awarded a Master Coach diploma in Autodefence-Wing Tchun, a modern day version of Kung Fu.
He was one of five selected from a team of international teachers for the 7th teacher level. 
Mark’s interest in martial arts was sparked as a teenager by a knife attack. Training intensely in martial arts, he opened his first club in Liverpool in 1991 and then set up several more until in 2003 he moved his new family to Culcheth.
He said: “After 18 years of coaching men, women and children of all abilities, I feel I have had the great fortune to help people from all background to increase their self-confidence, physical agility and self-control in precarious situations”.
Mark has appeared on Chinese TV news to millions of viewers, as part of a promotional tour.
He said: “It was quite a novelty and ironic for us Brits to be reviving and promoting an otherwise dying art in it’s country of origin. Even in the 90’s Chinese teenagers were abandoning their cultural heritage and adopting western styles of combat.
“I am very proud to have been presented this award by the head of our organisation, Nick Smart, at an international meeting last month. I would like to congratulate my four colleagues who also received this award in recognition of services to developing and promoting this art. We believe we have helped develop a user-friendly version of traditional Kung Fu for all to enjoy”.
Mark now teaches beginners in Culcheth.
Picture: Mark demonstrates his art
Martial arts teacher lands top award
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
