A DEVON martial artist says the coaching award he’s been nominated for would be more satisfying than any of his five World Champion Titles.

Ed Colman-Roberts, who founded NAMA – or Newton Abbot Martial Arts – is on the shortlist for the title of UK Coaching Young Person and Children Coach of the Year.

“My coaches changed my life”, Colman-Roberts says “and to think I may be able to do that for the young people who come to train with me at NAMA is the greatest privilege.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see people grow in confidence, skill and character through martial arts.

“It’s a huge honour already just to represent Devon and the martial arts and combat sports community on the national stage.”

Colman-Roberts, who won his first World Tae Kwon Do world title as the Under 18 Champion, went on to become the National Tae Kwon Do Team Captain and now takes his students on to World Title level. He is also a Boxing and Kickboxing Champion.

His classes include beginners, including preschoolers, experienced black belts and international competitors.

Ed was born in Torquay and studied Sport and Social Sciences at Bath University.

A number of students at NAMA, under the tutelage of Ed, recently earned new belts and stripes in Kickboxing and Taekwon-Do, further evidence of the great work he and the rest of the club are putting in with people of all ages.