What is it about Canvey Island that the place keeps on producing world-class karate aces?

Is it something to do with the prevailing wind, arriving as it does nonstop from the Far East?

Or does it have something to do with the time-honoured need on Canvey to take high-kicking leaps over the ditches and creeks?

Wayne Barsby has no answer, deeply psychological or otherwise, to this question. He simply accepts as a fact that something about the island produces thoroughbreds, himself included.

"In the school I run, I think we could have several (more) potential world champions in the making," he says, matter-of-factly.

"The majority of champions come from the north of England, but those from down south all seem to come from Canvey -- it's odd."

Less than a year ago This Is Essex feeder paper The Echo featured Niki Berwick, another Canvey high-flier -- in more ways than one -- and now a film stunt girl.

Now we find ourselves shaking the hand, very, very, carefully, of the steel-eyed, steel-toed Wayne who, at just 22, is world champion, European champion, youngest 4th Dan in the country, Essex Sports Personality of the Year and the holder of 30 British titles.

Even more significant than that is his enrolment in December into the Karate Hall of Fame.

This is awarded by one's karate world peers and is "only", in the words of the citation, "for the elite".

As one who spends much time hiding behind the sofa while my children watch kung fu films, I approached him with trepidation.

However, he was not what I'd expected.

By any standards of young manhood, Wayne is meek and seemingly unassertive. By Essex lad standards he is positively docile.

The eyes may be strong, but the handshake from that lethal limb is almost, dare one say it, slack .

Wayne confirms that "most people who do martial arts are not aggressive types. We tend to be quite placid, really".

Like so many genuine physical tough guys, he sees no need to act the lad.

He has suffered unprovoked attacks a couple of times in pubs by guys anxious to show off by taking on the champ.

"I simply defended myself and walked away," says Wayne. "They came to no harm, and neither did I."

Wayne took up karate originally because "I was very shy and looking for something that would bring me out". He grins. "It worked. I'm not shy any more."

He was 10 years old and "nuts about football" when his father brought home a karate club leaflet, and "I thought: 'Yeah, I'll give that a go.' "

As always with the Canvey karate kids, there was no reason before that time to predict a world-class talent.

"Suddenly I found myself picking it all up. A couple of people said I could be really good. Then one said: 'You know, you could be a world champion.' "

Wayne spent most of his teens hurtling around the country. "I reckon I was away from home seven weeks out of eight," he says.

"My academic work (at Castle View School) suffered, but I knew I'd arrived when other martial arts people started copying the things I do."

Entry into the Karate Hall of Fame is a landmark in Wayne's career. Alas, at just 22, it may also be the final peak.

An accident while helping to move his girlfriend's shed left him with slashed tendons needing four hours' surgery.

The reason for that light handshake becomes all too evident. "I have no proper feeling in my hand," he says. "I was told if I continued with the world championship I could be crippled."

Wayne now works as a postman, and has compensated by founding his own club, the Tang Dragons, which meets regularly at Felmores and the Paddocks.

"I didn't really start it for the money. I just wanted to help other people get on in martial arts.

"All I'm really interested in is that my students do well. I've had my time. Now I want to be behind somebody else having theirs."

Wayne says the only time he needs to flex his muscles is when teaching.

"If somebody turns up to my class who is basically a bully they either calm down and come round to my way of thinking or they go. They have to learn that in my game I'm boss."

Kick -- karate world champion Wayne Barsby, the most successful of Canvey's karate experts, goes through his paces

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.