Seven veteran martial artists were the first inductees to the Bermuda Martial Arts Hall of Fame during a banquet on Tuesday night at the Henry VIII Restaurant, hosted by the Bermuda Fitness Academy executive and students.

Recognised for their long service to martial arts were the late Dr. Barbara Ball (judo), former Government statistician Calvin Smith (judo), ‘Skipper’ Ingham (karate), Burnell Williams (Sanuces Ryu ju-jitsu), Peter Larder (Shotokan karate), Calvin Shabazz (ju-jitsu) and Al Wharton (kung fu).

The inductees spoke on their early years of training in the martial arts.

Tributes were also paid to Master Wharton on what was his 65th birthday for his “dedication, commitment and knowledge of martial arts” that he has passed on to past and current students. Attendance were many of the former students, Bermuda Technical Institute classmates, personal friends and family.