HONOURED: Dr. Albert Best (right) poses with an award next to grandmaster Jack Stern.

On the anniversary of his first Martial Arts Hall of Fame induction, local martial arts instructor Dr Albert Best has been honoured with his seventh award.

On September 2, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, Best was inducted into the oldest and most prestigious international martial arts Hall of Fame, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He was honoured as the most outstanding martial arts instructor for 2006.

His award was presented to him by martial arts legend Dr Enrique Moore, president of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Two of his students, Corey Weithers and David McDonald, were in attendance to witness the ceremony. These students were also honoured at the event after winning first and second place ,respectively, at the world tournament finals earlier that day.

They dominated the black belt division of the Kumite (point sparring) which was the main event.

Since his first induction into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame on September 2, Best attained several honours that were not shared with the Barbadian public.

November 19 last year, he attained a tenth degree black belt from the International Head of Family Association. The system that he developed, Chameleon Combat Karate, was given international accreditation and Best was certified as the legitimate founder (Soke) and grandmaster. This is a first for Barbados.

Since then he was evaluated and tested by other world councils and has attained the titles of grandmaster, soke, professor and tenth degree black belt rank from the World Organisation of Mixed Martial Arts, United States Combat Martial Arts Association International, Circle of Masters (School of the Mystery Order), International Martial Arts Lineage Association, International Kempo Federation and the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Sokeship Council.

He has been awarded a PhD in Martial Arts and Science from the International University of Martial Arts, a PhD in Asian Martial Arts from the International Council of Masters and Grandmasters, and a Doctor of Martial Arts from the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Sokeship Council. He is also a certified tenth degree Open Eye Grandmaster with the school of pyramids.

The Barbadian was also awarded the world organiser of Martial Arts Sport Award (2006), the WOMA Appreciation Certificates for Dedication in the Martial Arts and the WUMA Gold Medal for Most Outstanding Coach at the Battle of Columbus World Games. He was promoted to seventh degree black belt in special operations combat karate in January, making him one of only five people to achieve this distinction.

Best holds advanced black belts in five other martial arts, is a certified master in G-Jo Acupressure, a certified specialist in martial arts conditioning and is one of the 11 people worldwide who are certified to teach the American Pressure Point Self Defence System. (PR)