A BRIDGWATER kickboxing instructor has been inducted into the World United Martial Arts Federation Hall of Fame, along with two of his students.

Mark Drewitt-Nation, who runs Somerset Kickboxing Academy, said he was “gobsmacked” when he found out he had been chosen.

“I had known about the Hall of Fame for a number of years when one day out of the blue I received an email saying I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame and would I nominate two students who have proven their dedication to martial arts,” Mr Drewitt-Nation said.

Mark travelled with his students Archie Stannett and Ryan Prescott to Villa Park in Birmingham for the award ceremony.

“It still hasn’t really hit me to be honest, but it was an amazing evening,” he said. “We got to meet many people who are legends in the UK martial arts world.”

Mark taught kick-boxing for a number of years before setting up his own academy in 2011.

“I chose Archie Stannett as my first choice, because he was my first student after I set up on my own, and has been with me ever since,” Mark said.

“He attained black-belt status two years ago and is going for his next qualification in April.

“He has been fantastic helping me out with younger learners and shows superb enthusiasm for the sport.He has shown tremendous progress as a person and I wanted to pick him to show that hard works pays off.”

Mark’s second choice was his assistant Ryan Prescott, who helped step in and run classes when Mark had suffered injuries including a broken ankle and dislocated kneecap.

“I think kickboxing has a lot to offer, including discipline, good exercise, it gives you confidence and is good to make friends too.”

For more information about Somerset Kickboxing Academy visit somersetkickboxingacademy.com or you can contact Mark on 07864 987924.