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YORKTON – Michael Forster, Master instructor of the Yorkton Martial Arts Training Center, is set to be inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame in the Athlete/Builder category.

"I was surprised. Felt very humbled of course," said Forster of his reaction to hearing the news of his induction, during an interview with SASKTODAY.ca.

Forster said it was one of his students who nominated him for the award.

"The student that nominated me figured that I was already in there but realized I wasn't so she nominated me," said Forster.

Forster's journey into the world of martial arts started in 1992 when he was just 15 years old.

Now, having trained for 32 years, Forster is a decorated martial artist, possessing black belts in several martial arts, including a 7th degree black belt in TaeKwon-Do, a third degree black belt in Haidong Gumdo and in 2022 became Yorkton's first Brazilian Jui-jitsu black belt.

In 2013 he was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Taekwon-Do instructor of the year. His accolades in the sport include gold medals at the International Taekwon-Do championships that took place in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Korea in 2015, for board breaking and ITF (Internatioanl Taekown-Do Federation) Forms.

Forster said he credits past instructors for his school's success.

"All of my instructors and masters and grand masters that have come before me have definitely shaped me into the instructor that I am," said Forster.

"I owe them a debt for imparting their knowledge to me," said Forster, adding, "a lot of them are still training and teaching across the country."

And as for what keeps Forster going?

"My students are the number one priority — they inspire me to keep going — without them there is no purpose in teaching."