A five-year-old is thought to have become one of the world’s youngest Karate black belts – despite battling juvenile arthritis.
Jake Frood took up the martial art aged just three after watching the classic film, The Karate Kid.
The youngster, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, enrolled at the city’s National Martial Arts College and now hopes to become a fully trained instructor by his tenth birthday.
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Jake Frood, five, has become one of the world’s youngest Karate black belts despite having arthritis and an immune disorder. He suffers from stiffness in his limbs and falls ill frequently
He has achieved one of the sport’s top accolades despite suffering joint stiffness due to his condition.
His mother, Kerry Frood, 31, said: ‘He watched the Karate Kid and absolutely loved it and has just gone from strength to strength.
‘There is no-one else at his age that we can find who has been given a black belt.
‘It’s just unbelievable and without martial arts he wouldn’t be the person he is today.
‘People just can’t believe how young he is and he is so small for his age too.’
Jake, who is just 3ft tall, was recently awarded his black belt after completing a gruelling challenge which included a two-mile run and four-hour martial arts test.
Jake took up martial arts after watching The Karate Kid when he was three-years-old. His mother, Kerry, believes the sport has helped him to overcome his health problems
Ms Frood, who works as a nurse, said: ‘When Jake was first diagnosed with arthritis at three years old his legs were so weak.
‘He tried physiotherapy, but found it far too difficult.
‘He had started martial arts by this point and, even though he was finding that hard too, the doctors told him to keep on with it as it would make his legs stronger.
‘So he kept up with it and has flourished as a true champion. His legs are much stronger now too.’
Brave black-belt Jake fights through arthritis to show off moves
Jake, who is just 3ft tall, was recently awarded his black belt after completing a gruelling challenge which included a two-mile run and four-hour martial arts test
She added: ‘I don’t think there are many children his age that could do what Jake does. He might be small but he is hard as nails, I’m so proud of what he has achieved.’
Jake also suffers from an immune disorder, which doctors are currently trying to get to the bottom of.
His mother said: ‘Jake will always catch every single illness that is going round. His immune system is very, very weak.
‘But because of his love for martial arts he battles everything that comes his way.’
Ms Frood said: ‘Jake will always catch every single illness that is going round. His immune system is very, very weak. But because of his love for martial arts he battles everything that comes his way’
The youngster has had through several illnesses and operations and was even back training weeks after surgery on his hand.
Ms Frood said: ‘He was back on the mat at martial arts within weeks of his op as he didn’t want to fall behind.
