Last updated at 11:48, Friday, 17 December 2010

A FEMALE karate instructor at Workington’s Hokushinko Martial Arts Centre has earned a rare accolade.

ONLY ONE: Lisa Hodgson, probably the only female karate 4th Dan in Cumbria

Lisa Hodgson, 40, is probably the only woman in Cumbria to be awarded fourth Dan status.

Black belt Lisa has suffered a broken limbs, bumps, cuts and bruises but none of that has put her off the sport she loves.

She said: “A lot of people who do karate just go through the motions and don’t embrace the physical side of it.

“But at the end of the day it is a martial art.”

Husband Mark, who runs Hokushinko, said: “I can’t think of another woman who is a practising fourth Dan in Cumbria.”

Fifth Dan Mark added that his wife is certainly the only woman in the area to be awarded it by karate’s governing body FEKO (Federation of English Karate Organisations).

A fighter must train for a minimum of four consecutive years after becoming a third Dan status to become a fourth Dan and must also demonstrate that he or she put something back into the sport.

Lisa became interested in karate from a young age but was told it was not for girls.

She took up dancing instead but the lure of the dojo proved greater than that of the dance floor.

Lisa said: “I was always a bit of a tomboy, more into BMX than Barbie.

“When I started out, girls were definitely a minority.”

Since Lisa became a Hokushinko instructor 10 years ago, she has helped several female students earn their black belt and has seen them grow in confidence through karate.

She also works as a secretary for the Academy and runs a Tai-kick fitness class.

Adults and children’s classes are taught at Hokushinko Martial Arts Centre on St John’s Court.

For more information call Mark on 07971737234.

First published at 19:33, Thursday, 16 December 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk