Wellness lecturer and martial arts professional Charles aims for world championship

University of Derby Senior Wellness Lecturer Charles Spring is aiming for his first martial arts World Championship – at the age of 54.

Charles, who took the title for traditional weapons “forms” at the 2016 Revolution British Championships in Sheffield, is living proof that practising what he teaches on the Wellness course keeps you fighting fit.

Forms are highly disciplined karate movements which train mind and muscle no matter what your age.

"'Forms', in particular, are excellent training for the mind, body and spirit,” said Charles, who also came second in the empty hands forms.

“You have to have an enormous amount of focus in the competitive situation. When performing in front of several hundred people you really feel the pressure and you need to control the nerves as well. 

“Even though I have been training for 44 years, I still get those nerves; it makes you feel really alive.”

Charles’s next focus is to try and get to the next World Championships: "It would be a dream come true. I really did not realise it may still be an opportunity.”

The first course of its kind in the UK, the University’s BSc (Hons) Wellness Management equips students for a career in the rapidly growing global wellness industry which is worth £3.4 trillion.

It develops specialist skills and knowledge combining business, management, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, physical activity, coaching and mentoring.