Karate kid wants to rule world . . . again

HE’S Glasgow’s very own Karate Kid – and he is also our secret World Champion.
Meet 17-year-old Alan Pollock from Govan, a truly remarkable fighter in every sense of the word.
The youngster has had to battle all the way for recognition and support despite coming home from Manchester last year with his sport’s most prestigious title tucked into his luggage.
And now he is facing a struggle to raise enough cash to get out to Tokyo, Japan, this August to try to retain his crown against some of the planet’s top karate exponents.
It’s a tough ask. But one look at the steely glint in this teenager’s eyes is all you need to persuade you he’ll meet that challenge.
“I’ll make it, I know I will,” Alan assured me. “I have a few fundraising things planned and I could do with some help.
“But I can’t miss the chance to retain my title. And I won’t.”
It’s fair to say that you wouldn’t guess Alan was a world-beating martial arts expert just by looking at him in a sweatshirt and jeans.
To be honest, he looks a bit on the wee and scrawny side.
But he is well used to bigger boys – and men – writing him off as easy pickings.
“I’ve always fought people who tower over me,” Alan told me with a laugh. “But that’s where training and technique and speed comes in.”
His dad, Alan Snr, remembers his son’s first karate lesson at the Pearce Institute. His instructor was Mike McCusker – who is still his teacher 10 years on.
“He was only seven, and tiny. Alan wanted to try it because his favourite TV programme was the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles.
“But it was clear right away he had a knack for it.”
A black belt at just 12, Alan now helps out at karate classes and takes great delight helping pupils with special needs.
“They really love it,” he said. “Karate is all about respect.”
One man who has pledged to help Alan get to Japan is local councillor Stephen Dornan.
Himself a karate black belt, he said: “Alan is a real inspiration to all local youngsters.”