ANTHONY Bailey, a Basingstoke Martial Arts teacher, is set to pick up a national honour and be inducted into the Martial Arts Illustrated Magazine Hall of Fame.

This will all happen at a glittering ceremony to be held in Burton-upon-Trent in November.

The 43-year-old admitted the nomination came as a bolt out of the blue and he said: “I knew nothing about it and this is a very prestigious award. I just received a letter inviting me to the evening, which I am really looking forward to.”

It is fitting accolade for someone who has been involved in martial arts for 36 years and in 2000 he was awarded for his dedicated to the sport by the World United Martial Arts Association at Cheltenham.

His journey into martial arts started out with judo at the Summit Judo club, now based in Sherborne St John, and from there his interest grew.

Bailey, who now lives in Farnborough, has taught all over Britain and even in Japan. He has black belts in eight martial arts.

Ju Jitsu is the main art that he teaches regularly, currently three times a week in Basingstoke at Shin Gi Tai in Viables and Bailey’s Gym on West Ham Industrial Estate.

He said: “I really enjoy teaching as for children and adults alike it gives them a self defence, gives them self confidence and well being and is a very good work out, not only for the body but for the mind.”