BOLTON Thai Boxing legend Sandy Holt is on a high after being made a Master of the sport.

Mr Holt, who owns Bolton Thai Boxing Club, received the rare honour in a special ceremony in Thailand – the home of the martial art.

“I must admit, I shed a few man tears,” he said. “It was a hugely moving experience and I was overcome with emotion.”

He began his martial arts training in 1974, learning styles such as karate and ju-jitsu. But it was the art of Muay Thai, which he discovered three years later, that really inspired him.

Since then he has pioneered the sport in Britain, winning numerous titles and training many winners along the way.

Of the 1,500 people from 64 countries who took part in the ceremony, Mr Holt was the only one from the UK to be made a Master.

“I’m a humble man and up until now I never felt worthy of putting myself forward but friends and my trainer, Master Sken, encouraged me to go for it,” he said.

The ceremony saw him being presented with a silver Master Grade armband, headband and sash before a panel of Muay Thai Grand and Great Grand Masters, some of who have been practising the sport for 60 years.

Mr Holt also had to say a Buddhist prayer pledging to respect his new honour and participated in a two-hour blessing ceremony.

“To achieve this after more than 40 years is a big milestone. It was the icing on the cake,” he said.

During the event he was awestruck when Muay Thai fighters recreated a famous battle.

Mr Holt said: “They entered on elephants. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!”

Mr Holt, who is responsible for such projects as the Northwest England U.K. Kick Drugs and is a member of the U.K. "Bully Free Zone" Anti Bullying Scheme, said he now hopes to write a book about his experiences and do more international commentating on Muay Thai.