A karate expert who transformed the martial art in Cumbria has another accolade to add to his belt.

Doug James, 69, who set up the first karate club in Carlisle in 1974, has been inducted into the Martial Arts Illustrated Black Belt Hall of Fame.

He was both delighted and shocked to be given the honour by the magazine at an awards dinner in Burton-on-Trent.

He said: “I was honoured to receive this award in front of many distinguished martial arts practitioners and champions and proud that my wife Rita could be there as well to share this moment.

“She has supported me in my passion for karate for 50 years.”

Mr James, of High Hesket, first became interested in karate when he was living in Middlesbrough in 1967.

When he moved to Carlisle in 1974 to work at Pirelli tyres, there were no local clubs so he decided to set one up himself.

A network quickly grew as Mr James expanded over the next few years across Cumbria to Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Brampton, Penrith, Kendal and further afield in Newcastle.

At its peak there were about 1,500 people in the clubs.


Doug James “It was a matter of trying to get to as many areas as I could to make sure I could make a living from it,” said Mr James.

He has not only made a living from it but by doing so he has been able to live his dream.

He has taught as a professional instructor for more than 40 years and his Chojinkai Clubs have produced well over 200 black belts.

Many of his instructors and students have achieved both national and international acclaim.

Mr James is particularly proud that senior instructors who have been training for 20, 25 and 30 years with him are now moving on to running their own clubs.

The Cumbria Open Karate Championships which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary was also founded by Mr James.

When asked what it was about karate that had sustained his passion for so long, Mr James said: The variety and coaching, seeing students get better.

“Refereeing top international competitions all over the world, that was something as well that made it a lot more interesting.”

As well as sharing his talent across Cumbria, Mr James has refereed across the world in Madrid in Spain, South Africa, Rio de Janerio in Brazil, Mexico and Borneo. In total he has been a referee at 27 European events and 11 world events.