Much-loved Leigh Park karate instructor is presented with a special gift to recognise his hard work for the community

Students of PSKO Havant, Park Shotokan Karate Organisation, wanted to give thanks to Sensei Michael Fletcher for years of dedication to passing on his skills and knowledge.

Fellow instructor Samantha Lewington arranged to present him with a Japanese Katana sword, handcrafted and engraved especially for him using Japanese techniques, with a certificate and poem featuring the names of all current students.

Despite tier four rules meaning the students could not watch the presentation, Samantha recorded herself delivering the special gift.

On behalf of the club, Samantha presented the gift in front of the dojo at St Michael and All Angels Church in Leigh Park to a shocked Michael.

The 63-year-old, who has been doing karate since 1984, said: ‘This means more to me than I can say. I didn’t think we would return to training earlier in the year especially as I could no longer teach in the traditional way due to social distancing.’

Students were so keen to return that the club adapted teaching methods and trained outside during the summer months to keep their education going.

Michael added: ‘Now I have been presented by my students with this truly beautiful gift, I am literally speechless! Their passion to learn and commitment to traditional Shotokan Karate always astonishes me.

‘This is the reason I teach and it will be the reason I continue to teach for the rest of my life.

‘I am so proud of them all, they are the future generation of martial arts and it’s an honour to be part of their life’s journey.’

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Michael helps in many areas of the community, and before Christmas assisted Waterlooville Food Bank to prepare more than 200 family Christmas parcels.

Samantha said: ‘This is why this special surprise gift is so important to us, for all the things he does not just for the Leigh park club and its students but for so many people.

‘The presenting of the 2020 Katana of Hope is thanks from us all, all the years of passionately and selflessly put into passing our traditional art down to the next generation.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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