A Scottish OAP has turned into one of only 7 living folks to hold judo’s highest rank. Karate skills expert George Kerr, 72, was named a “10th Dan” black belt at a rite held by the Global Judo Federation in Paris. He’s one of only 5 non-Japanese receivers of the award, which honours his contribution to the game. Mr Kerr, who runs a judo club for 2 hundred children in Edinburgh, said that he was “humbled” by the award. Less than twenty folk have ever received the honour, which recognizes Mr Kerr’s contribution to the game as a rival, coach, referee and director. Less than twenty people have ever received the honour, which recognizes Mr Kerr’s contribution to the game as a rival, coach, referee and director.

Speaking from the French capital, Mr Kerr told BBC Scotland : “I feel humbled and happy to be the 1st Scotsman to get this award. “I was a touch embarrassed because almost all of the people that get this award are in their 80s while I’m only 72 – and simply a young 72 at that. “I felt there were plenty of folks who merited it more than I do, but I suspect when you get this kind of award it is like getting made a lordship of your sport. It sort of takes the breath away from you.” Mr Kerr, who was an opening member of the Scottish Sports Hall-Of-Fame in 2002 and has written a couple of books on judo and its methodologies, maintained he had no intention to slow down as he grew older. He added : “Don’t be daft. If you give up, if you retire, you die.

I will be able to never retire. I don’t work as tough as I used to work but retiring is not on my horizon. “I assume the sport gives you many things in your life. It teaches you discipline and truth, many things that can make a contribution to young kids’ lives. “It keeps them off the PC, and the largest killer in our country currently isn’t cancer it is obesity and obesity in kids sadly, so I suspect judo can make a contribution to health and fitness and it might be a great thing for children to take up.”.