A PORT Glasgow martial arts man is getting to grips with glory after gaining a top karate qualification in Japan.

Tom Jacob, who works in Newark Care Home as a support worker, has become a UK ambassador for the International Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Association after taking part in the Okinawa Karate International Seminar in Japan.

The 45-year-old, who lives in Lithgow Way with his wife Gisha and their son Leon, 10, is over-the-moon to gain such an esteemed qualification.

He said: "It's brilliant.

"To get this is very rare.

"My hard work over the past 35 years has paid off.

"The chairman of the association Naonobu Ahagon is a living legend.

"He has a 10th dan red belt in karate and kubodo.

"It was amazing to be taught by him."

Tom, who was born in South India and has been a British citizen for the past 13 years, started martial arts at the age of 10.

After leaving school he gained a degree in economics at Kerala University and then moved to the UK where he achieved an MBA in marketing.

As well as gaining academic qualifications, Tom quickly rose through the karate ranks to achieve his fifth dan black belt in 2018.

Now he teaches karate and also trains in mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, Muay Thai, yoga and Kalaripayattu - an Indian martial art form.

He also practices boxing at Victoria Boxing Club in Port Glasgow.

Tom added: "I enjoy enlightening students with the merits and benefits of karate.

"I want to inspire them to use karate as a way of life and train them to attain the principles of karate in a disciplined and structured way."