MARTIAL arts expert Scott Langley is just one of three people outside of Japan to have completed a rigorous training course in karate.

The 29-year-old, from Malton, has successfully completed a Japanese Karate Shotokai.

He is just one of around 100 people in the world to have completed the intensive training regime in Japan.

Langley has been learning karate for 15 years and is an ex-British, European and world champion.

Mike Gude, from the Haxby Shotokan Karate Club, where Langley used to train, said everyone at the club was proud.

"He has been over in Japan for three years teaching English," he said. "The course involved turning his life over completely to his instructors.

"The idea is that they break you mentally and physically and when you have reached your lowest ebb, they rebuild your life.

"His spirit was broken around Christmas. He requested to return home and visit his family but was refused. The Japanese aren't keen on non-Japanese people doing the course so they made is especially hard for him."

Langley recently visited North Yorkshire with karate coach Yasuhisa Inada but has now returned to Japan.

He intends to use his qualification to teach karate in Europe.

York Kenshinkan Karate Club have returned from the 17th British National Kyu in Prestatyn, North Wales, with a clutch of medals.

Captain Adam Simpson, a brown belt first kyu, who is due to grade for his black belt later this year, won the senior men's kumite, or fighting, section. He then joined green belt Les Wade and red belt Alex Brittain to win silver in the kumite team event.

Others York Kenshinkan members who took part in the kumite and kata (form) events included Claire Graham, April Graham, Laura Graham, Kimberly Walker, Nicola Halawell, Tracey Santana and Jordan Santana.

The squad was coached by Liam O'Grady, a member of the junior national squad.

The club is starting onna fresh intake of people who wish to take up karate at Canon Lee School each Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9pm. For further information ring Gordon Thompson on 415535 or Rob McCartney on 345989.

Updated: 10:53 Saturday, May 04, 2002