A spokesperson for his martial arts club said: “Jeffrey is regarded as one of the world’s top instructors in Military Combat and a continuing student of Otake Sensei regarded as the keeper on the only complete Martial Art in existence in Japan the ancient art of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu Bujutsu the only fighting system of the Samurai still to be practised in Japan.

“With Otake Sensei being the first Military Arts instructor to be designated a National Treasure now this title has also been conferred to his two sons, Nobutoshi Sensei and Kyoso Sensei.

“Jeffrey is a staunch supporter of the Japanese Cultural Centre in Ballymoney which provides a broad spectrum of Japanese Culture and the only place where the Ancient Art of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu is taught in Ireland by approval of Otake Sensei.

“Steven McCurdy is the current senior in the centre and who has visited Japan on a number of occasions to train under Otake Sensei and Mr Mitchell who is the senior student in the historical Okinawa art of Goju Ryu Karate and Kobujutsu (ancient Okinawa weapons) and again can trace a linage from Miagi Sensei the best known teacher of Goju Ryu through the Karate Kid films direct to Ballymoney. “One must point out that many arts trace this linage but through very obscure and indirect family trees making their claims tenuous to say the least. “

Further information about any of the centres activities can be got at japanesecentreni@yahoo.co.uk or speak to Steven on 07817482139 concerning any activities at the centre.