'Extraordinary' British teen wins karate medal at world championships despite serious health issues as child

Ed Griffiths
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:53:14 +0000

A Glasgow teenager who faced life-threatening health challenges as an infant has achieved remarkable success on the international martial arts stage.

Ben Cotter, 15, secured a bronze medal for Scotland in his age category at the JSKA World Karate Championships held in Matsuyama, Japan, this past November.

The competition also marked another significant milestone for the young athlete, who received his Shodan gradin, a first-degree black belt, before SKA world chief instructor Nagaki Mitsuru Shihan.

His journey has been described as "extraordinary."

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Cotter's path to this achievement began under the most challenging circumstances as immediately following his birth, he was transferred to neonatal intensive care.

At just four weeks of age, his condition deteriorated critically, requiring life support.

Doctors identified bronchomalacia, a condition causing abnormally soft airways that are susceptible to collapse.

Throughout his early years, his breathing would halt unexpectedly, necessitating resuscitation by medical professionals and, on occasion, his own parents.

The youngster experienced multiple lung collapses, resulting in permanent damage to his lungs and frequent reliance on supplemental oxygen.

Despite these serious health obstacles, Cotter refused to let his medical difficulties prevent him from pursuing athletics and began training in karate at just four years old.

Now a black belt holder, the teenager has expressed that competing at international level and travelling globally feels "amazing," particularly given the difficult start to his life.

Ben said: "There was a point where doctors were worried about whether I would survive and whether it would affect things like learning and walking. I felt like I was always wearing a hospital wrist band."

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He added: "Even when I started karate I remember being really tired because my left lung had to do most of the work, but it’s just something that’s always been part of my life.

"Competing now and travelling around the world for karate - a sport that’s given me so much - is amazing, especially when I think about where I started.

"Competing in Japan was incredible, the Ehime Prefectural Budokan is completely different to what we’re used to here.

"In the UK, I compete in leisure centres but there you feel like a gladiator competing in these incredible structures of wood and metal with statues everywhere. There’s a real sense of history there. Walking in to compete was an amazing experience."

The 15-year-old, who wants to go on to study medicine, also earned the title of British Kumite champion in karate in London in January and is looking forward to taking part in future karate events.

He said: "Karate has given me so many experiences and taken me around the world, so it’s something I’ll keep doing for the rest of my life.

"The next big championships are in Italy next year, and I’m already focused on getting better and pushing further. Winning in London was another proud moment."

Since the achievement, Kelvinside Academy rector Daniel Wyatt and Ben’s coach at Hokushin Karate Academy, Mike McCusker, praised the young British athlete.

Wyatt said: "Ben’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a life-threatening collapsed lung to a determined young athlete, he has defied the odds at every turn.

"At just 15, winning a bronze medal at the Karate World Championships in Japan is a testament not only to his skill but to his resilience, discipline and unwavering spirit."

Mike added: "Watching him grow from that determined young boy into the martial artist he is today has been an honour.He first came to train with me as a small boy who was often frail and unwell, but despite those early challenges, he never asked for special treatment and was expected to train and push himself just like every other student.

"Earning a black belt is a milestone few reach, but to do so in Japan - the birthplace of Shotokan karate - makes the achievement even more remarkable. Ben’s success is a testament to his perseverance, courage and spirit."