BROTHERS Mohammad Wahed and Zamoord Sabar were celebrating after being awarded with the Stewart Howarth Community Award by the United Martial Arts Academy.

The award was given to the pair in recognition of 30 years’ Service to Martial Arts and Taekwondo in the community of Bradford.

The brothers have both been advocates for the sport after becoming national taekwondo champions.

Speaking to the T&A about his journey into the sport, Wahed said: “Time has flown by. I started Taekwondo with my elder sister at Bradford University and I must have been 18 at the time. I was amazed at the high kicking style of Taekwondo. I took part in tournaments and performed extremely well to win British, English, Welsh, Scottish championships while travelling the country; it was exciting and fun. This encouraged me to study sports at Leeds Beckets University where I achieved my PGSE and became a PE teacher.”

Wahed added: “Being a teacher, I think there is no better feeling than giving back to the community and I think that’s the part where you get most satisfaction.”

Sabar said: “I have always been competitive, and I think it was embedded in my dad’s family genetics. I remember winning my first race at nursery; my mum still reminds me of when I came home with a 1st place flower badge on my uniform. I loved playing sports throughout my younger years and I captained the school cricket team, and also played every game for the school football team. I discovered martial arts in my teens after watching a Bruce Lee movie, Enter the Dragon, and I still have to admit that’s the secret to my longevity in the martial arts.

“The community award is named after the late Stewart Howarth who ran the Phoenix Trophies Shop serving the customers of Bradford for over 30 years. “

Zaheer Akhtar Nazir, founder of the community award, said: “Stewart Howarth was a true gentleman at heart, very charismatic with a solid work ethic. I spent a lot of time at the Phoenix Trophy shop which used to be situated on Barry Street in the city centre and we always had a good laugh.

“Who better to commemorate this award named after a person who had put a smile on the millions of customers he served for over 30 years - providing them with memorabilia to be treasured by everyone who received them.”

Phoenix Trophies are still trading having moved premises to St Paul’s Road in Keighley and are still supplying trophies run by Stewart’s long term colleague Mary Illingworth and her son Craig. If anyone is interested in acquiring any memorabilia, you can contact both Mary and Craig on 01274 370894.

Furthermore, if anyone would like more information about how to get involved in the sport of martial arts, you can ring Mohammad Wahed on 07969190949.