A 10-TIME British Taekwondo champion who has led Team GB for an impressive 16 years has been awarded an MBE for services to the sport.
Gary Hall, who is from Stoke-on-Trent but lives in Bowdon, became the Performance Director of Taekwondo GB back in 2006.
At the time, and over the course of Gary's career as a competitor beforehand, the sport was not seen as a priority in this country.
The team used a warehouse in Beswick to train with no staff to support them.
But now fast forward to 2022 and there is a dedicated Taekwondo Centre in Newton Heath, which is also open to the community.
This development has had its impact on the team, which boasts a one-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion in Jade Jones, plus other world champions and Olympic medallists in Bianca Walkden and Bradly Sinden.
Walkden won all the Grand Prix events in a season around five years ago, becoming the first competitor, male or female, to achieve this.
Accessibility is also important to Gary, who is a believer in the idea ability should be allowed to shine through regardless of background.
He set up a team for the Paralympics, which won two medals at Tokyo 2020.
It is for all these achievements and a lot more he has been awarded an MBE.
READ MORE: Sale mum awarded British Empire Medal in Queen's Birthday Honours.
Speaking in Rome ahead of a Grand Prix event with implications for Paris 2024, Gary said: "I'm proud to receive this award. It comes as a surprise, but a pleasant one.
"It's not something you start out to do, to be awarded. My wife, Tracey, and my two sons have made some significant sacrifices. I couldn't have done it without them."
Gary also dedicated the award to John Blairs, who coached him in Taekwondo from the age of 10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here