Karate expert warned MBE could be stripped if qualifications don't add up
Alan Thornton, who says he has achieved the highest honour in karate, says he has been told he has been 'red flagged' over his MBE after experts in the sport raised concerns about his qualifications.
A karate expert controversially awarded an MBE despite being little known within the sport has exposed an honours system “filled with loop holes”, experts have said.
Questions were raised over the decision to hand Alan Thornton the honour after it emerged he had been nominated by a friend and was unknown to many leading practitioners in the UK.
Karate experts have called for an investigation into Mr Thornton’s professional background as they say his claims to be a 10th Dan – the rarest and highest possible honour in karate – are physically impossible.
Mr Thornton now fears fears he could have his MBE could be taken away after he was asked by organisers of the Queen’s honours to prove his credentials and warned he had been “red flagged.”
Mr Thornton, 53, of Brentford in west London, said: “I was awarded the MBE and someone got in touch with me from the Cabinet Office to say they had had a ‘red flag’ saying that nobody here had heard of me in the martial arts world.
"They made me feel as if I had put myself forward.
“I'm not a fly by night fraudster. It was so upsetting, I was in tears at one stage.”
Mr Thornton, who described himself as a 10th Dan Red belt in a form of karate called Senai Seisshinry Shihandokai, says he was also asked to provide documents about his qualifications including his BsC in naturopathic studies.
He said he had problems remembering where he had qualified, which led to further doubt being cast on him.
He added: "The gentleman on the phone noticed I was forgetting. I later sent him all the certificates and transcripts.
"All my grades can be traced. It's so embarrassing for me because it's damaging my reputation.
"They said they could take back the award. We, my family, feel as if we've been stigmatised. I'm not a rogue."
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10921184/Karate-expert-warned-MBE-could-be-stripped-if-qualifications-dont-add-up.html
Surly you remember which University you graduated from? Certificates can be forced or simply downloaded from the internet, can this gent prove his Karate skills in a dojo? Senai Seisshinry Shihandokai Karate is another made up name for a made up karate style
ReplyDeleteHe seems legit. Too many haters out there
ReplyDeleteLegit!!!! Do you understand karate!!!! 10th Dan and he is in his 50's!!!! Ive been doing karate for 20+ years. Ive been WKF world Champion!! IM only a 3rd Dan!!
DeleteWhy do you think he seems legit when the rest of the world does not? There are many self promoted high ranking people out there....why is it hard to think that he might be one of those ?
DeleteSo who gives him the grade of 10th Dan if it's the highest honour ? Another 10th Dan in his organisation or his students ?
ReplyDeleteThis really depends on the organization. In my group a 10th Dan is only rarely awarded to the patriarch by a committee of the highest senseis after he has died. The idea being that you can not attain perfection in this life. Other organizations give out Dan ranks like candy. I've trained since 1983 and am only considered a Sandan in my organization. I have peers that have moved to other organizations and instantly gained 1-2 Dan ranks.
DeleteGood, this man is disgusting and one of the main reasons this great Art is failing in the country. He creates his own 'matrix' which people buy into and believe, which he then hides them from the larger world of karate
ReplyDeleteSo someone answer who awards the 10th Dan? Mmm interesting that you all have an opinion but no answer
ReplyDeleteGiven the rarity of the award a 10th dan would be awarded by the board members of an association.
DeletePeople that are awarded the rank are well known and respected within the martial arts community, as is their lineage.
We have dozens if not hundreds of 10th Dans in the US, most of whom were promoted by their own organizations.
ReplyDelete"So someone answer who awards the 10th Dan? Mmm interesting that you all have an opinion but no answer" - Anyone who has a rank of 10th dan gives to himself.
ReplyDeletewell that's what happens when you make up your own style and organization? so if he passed his first dan at 18, then to obtain a 10th dan, he would be at least 72 years old?? well that's the Japanese way. seems strange as no one has heard of this guy in the Karate world? you would think someone out there would have??
ReplyDeleteI have Black Belts in Three different arts (Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do and Tai Chi Chuan) two of which I hold 3rd Dan and a 1st Dan in the other. This means that I have taken at least 7 Blackbelt tests. I can remember EVERY test that I've taken. Where, What family was there, Who my Master was, etc... to the detail. Thorton can't remember where he studied , who his instructor was, after taking "10" tests, bullshit.
ReplyDeleteA black belt in Tai Chi? As far as I know, Chinese arts do not give "black" belts.
DeleteFor someone to get a 10th degree in the system I train in the receiver most have trained for at least 40 years. After 40th years the person receiving the rank the person will be extremely well known. The rank is awarded by a panel of black belts who themselves hold a high rank, usually 7th 8th or 9th degree black belts. As you can see this rank is rearly giving and would be well earned when giving. Hope this helps
ReplyDeleteIf I create a style I can make myself 15th Dan, however if the style is not recognised in the country of origin it is worthless to the outside community, this guy has duped people who know nothing about Martial arts and interest has been gained of his credentials without the background checks being made, I could be 10th Dan in Chocolate Fu, to the martial arts world this is rubbish, but to the cabinet office they would not know any different unless they research
ReplyDeleteleave him alone.... he must be 10th dan , look he has a karate suit on..
ReplyDeleteChinese tai chi black belt ,, hmmm your the faker
i have a 9th Dan and i am 37, so yes it is possible....