Master Al Conaway, left, 9th degree Karate grand master, presenting Doug Yates, middle, his 8th degree rank promotion certificate recently, as Rick Crawford of Hillsboro, right, instructor of Bushi-Do-Karate school, witnesses the promotion.

 

SOUTH SALEM — A local resident who has devoted almost a half-century to the art of karate was honored earlier this month with induction into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Indianapolis.

 

Al Conaway, a ninth-degree Soke Grand Master and longtime competitor and instructor through his Bushi-Do Karate School, received the national honor during a three-day event with more than 100 black belts, masters and grand masters in attendance.

 

Conaway’s induction came in the Ultimate Life Achievement Award category.

 

“This tops it all off for my 47 years of dedication to the art of karate and efforts I put into trying to make the art a very honored sport and self-defense discipline anyone can be involved in,” Conaway said.

 

Among Conaway’s students was Tokey Hill, a world champion and national coach who recently was named the 2011 Coach of the Year in karate by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

 

The USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, which originally was created in the mid-1970s, is unlike some halls of fame in it also pays tribute to the sacrifices and dedication of those that serve as instructors in the sport.

 

The induction is a highlight of Conaway’s career that has seen several awards and honors come before it.