Hartlepool karate instructor wins gold after aged 83 after entering world championship in Sri Lanka
A karate instructor traveled thousands of miles to compete in a world championships aged 83 in honour of his friend from Hartlepool – and returned home with a gold medal.
Mike Ilderton, a traditional Wado Ryu Karate instructor of Hartlepool Wado Club, decided on the spur of the moment to enter the Shu Ha Ri World Karate Championships in Sri Lanka.
He was a long-time friend of former Hartlepool councillor Victor Tumilty, who established the club and practiced karate for more than 60 years right up until his death aged 80 last August.
Despite his great age and being the oldest competitor in his category by some distance, Mike won gold in the world championships’ veterans section.
He said: “It was all done for Victor. Prior to him being diagnosed with cancer he always supported me in Newcastle.
"I started to travel down to Hartlepool to look after the club when he wasn’t well enough. Two instructors have taken it over now.”
Mike, who still regularly teaches in town, added: “A mutual friend invited me to participate in the veterans’ section after Victor’s death and sort of represent the UK.
"l knew Victor would have egged me on .So l decided to give it a go.
“I turned it into a bit of a holiday and representing Great Britain was quite an honour.”
Mike faced competitors from a host of countries including India, Sri Lanka, Russia, and Malaysia.
He explained: “I had to demonstrate Kata, a self defence move, against competition from all different countries.
"I came out as the best out of about 20 and was the oldest by at least ten years.
"It was a standing joke with Victor and myself that whenever I traveled to Hartlepool he would buy me a pork pie.
"I think if I came back with gold and he was still here he would have got me two!”
Mike, who has practiced karate for an incredible 67 years, continues to train almost every day.
He is currently in talks with a number of leading national martial arts instructors to hold a Victor Tumilty Memorial Seminar in Hartlepool with all proceeds going to Prostrate Cancer UK, nominated by the Victor’s family.