King, still competing at the age of 46, had 665 points when he was upgraded.
“I received my belt and certificate after presenting a kata, which is a formation of techniques performed by two judoka.
“My partner was my nephew Dariel Marino which made it special.”
What made the presentation even more special was that Kiki Velloza-Reedy — who King has known for 38 years and has been coaching with for the past 12 years — arranged with New Zealand judo legend and 8th Dan Rick Littlewood to have a red and white belt, with King’s name on it, made in Japan.
Gisborne-born Littlewood, who competed at the 1972 Munich Olympics and has a house in Japan, is one of only two New Zealanders to attain 8th Dan status.
“Kiki was at the presentation and the belt is something I will treasure for the rest of my life, and something I think Dad would have been proud of me achieving.
“After he died (in 2002) I wanted to carry on the work he did with Gisborne Judo Club — keep the club name up there.
“Judo has been my passion ever since he chucked me on the mat when I was four.”
That passion has equated to King coaching juniors to seniors for the past 30 years.
“I’m at the dojo at least four times a week and just before nationals up the club runs seven days a week,” said King, who has sign-writing business King Creations. ‘It’s been like my second home.
“I’m also really lucky that Mellissa (2002 Commonwealth Games judoka) has been unbelievably supportive.
“It helps that she was into the sport in our early days together. Now Mellissa’s focus is on her work as a nurse at Gisborne Hospital.”
Now King has the prestigious red and white belt, what is next?
“The two highest Dan in New Zealand are Rick, from Auckland, and Brian Cloynes (Dunedin). Maybe I will try to join them.
“When I was just starting in the sport they were players who inspired me and to join them as 6th Dans, while I’m still competing, is something special to me.
“To put it in perspective, Rick and Brian are both in their 70s.”
King said one of the biggest motivating factors in him continuing to coach and fight was the joy he got from seeing club members win medals at various championships.
“It’s not just the winning part. Obviously that’s good but it’s the buzz we (King and fellow coaches Kiki Velloza-Reedy and Clayton Kingston) get from coaching good technique, respect and discipline.
“It’s good to see and hear others comment on the technique of our players.
“We’ve had parents, who have brought their kids down for coaching and after a couple of months they want to know what we are doing. They say their kids are more respectful at home and more helpful.”
King and Velloza-Reedy are running a training camp in Nelson in January to help prepare the New Zealand squad for the Oceania champs in New Caledonia in April.
“Kiki will be going with the team but I won’t,” said King. “We’re going as a family to support Tayler (Reid, Gisborne triathlete) at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“Tayler, a two-time national junior judoka champion, is Mellissa’s sister’s (Bronwyn) stepson.
“Hes like a nephew to me and he’s worked incredibly hard to get to the Commonwealth Games. It will be a fantastic occasion watching him represent New Zealand at the Games.”
