ESCONDIDO — A prominent figure in the local martial arts community will receive the rare honor today of becoming a 10th-degree black belt in karate.

Charles Hawkins, who founded one of San Diego County’s first martial arts schools in Escondido 42 years ago, said the award is less about his skill as a fighter and more about his many contributions to martial arts over the years.

Hawkins has taught thousands of young people and has used the sport to improve the lives of the disabled and others facing challenges.

“He pioneered a lot of things,” said Steve Truscott, a longtime student who now runs the Family Karate chain of martial arts schools that Hawkins started. “He would adjust our martial arts techniques to the person’s ability. He’s really an amazing man.”

Hawkins, 72, hasn’t competed since the 1980s and says he was never a standout fighter, although he did win the Baja California middleweight championship in 1974.

“I’ve always thought I was a better instructor than competitor,” said Hawkins, adding that more than 1,000 of his students have received black belts. “We helped a lot of people overcome some difficulties in their lives.”

Martial arts can create self-confidence in those who lack it, especially youngsters, Hawkins said. Based on that concept, he launched one the nation’s first karate programs for the disabled in 1976.

Hawkins downplayed the significance of becoming a 10th-degree black belt, but only a few hundred people in the world have reached that level.

“With that certificate and a dollar, I can get a senior citizen coffee at McDonald’s,” he joked. “It’s really only important in the realm of my organization and the martial arts world”

There is no national or international organization that awards belts by level. Hawkins was given the honor by his longtime instructor, Pat Burleson. In martial arts, students get moved up in rank by their instructor.

Hawkins said his jump in rank, from 8th degree to 10th degree, will allow his students to advance because students can’t match the rank of their teacher.

“Martial arts is one of the few sports where the coach is supposed to be better than the players,” he said.

Hawkins is legendary in the local martial arts community for his work with the disabled, his chain of schools and for the many martial arts events he organized over the years to raise money for juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases affecting children.

“He’s being recognized for so many decades of work in our community,” Truscott said.

Hawkins also helped train Chula Vista police in the 1990s and worked with martial arts film star Chuck Norris in the 1970s.

Since leaving San Diego about 10 years ago with Fran, his wife of 52 years, Hawkins said he’s been focused on his six grandchildren and other hobbies.

He lives in North Carolina, but he’s still an instructor emeritus at Family Karate in Escondido, the school he founded in 1971 as Escondido Academy of Karate. And he flies to San Diego every time a student takes a black belt exam.

Truscott said Hawkins is beloved and respected.

“He and his wife started all of this for us,” Truscott said. “He’s been a great mentor.”

Hawkins will receive his 10th-degree black belt under the Escondido City Hall dome during a ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today.