Jay Hearn has become the first man living with a disability to take part in a specialist martial arts competition.

Jay, 30, is a student at the Nam Yang Pugilistic Association, in Melbourne Street, Brighton.

The school teaches traditional Chinese martial arts and Savate, also known as French kickboxing.

Savate traces its history back to the 19th century in northern France where it was commonly used in street fights. The word comes from an old French word, which means “old shoe”. Savate was also used by sailors in southern French ports, particularly in Marseille.

Despite living with cystic fibrosis, Jay, from Brighton, is passionate about martial arts and trains diligently to improve his skills.

He participated in a Savate competition on Sunday at the Manor Sports and Activities Centre, competing against more experienced professionals from places including France, Birmingham, Guildford and London.

The event was also Brighton’s first Savate competition. It served as a warm-up match before the National Savate Championships next month.

Jay said: “I was the first-ever Savate competitor living with this condition.

“Although I didn’t win, I was just trying to prove to everyone that even if you live with a disability, you can still do what you’re passionate about.

“I fought against a British world Savate champion, Charles Howes from Guildford. He was 62 and he’s done Savate for 40 years. He was really tough.

“This competition gave me lots of experience. I am looking to take part in the national championships at some point.”

Jay became interested in martial arts a few years ago, and after experimenting with different forms of practice, he found his true calling when he discovered Savate.

He said: “I have done Savate for nine months. I have tried other martial arts like Muay Thai and kickboxing, which I got a yellow belt.

“But it frustrated me because there are patterns I needed to follow in kickboxing and sometimes it’s overwhelming for me.

“Muay Thai is very intensive, whereas Savate is more relaxed. It’s more about skill, I feel more in control in what I do.

“I chose to do martial arts because I got bullied when I was a kid. So to learn self- defence is like having a shield, I feel safer and I feel more confident.”

His trainer, Sam Byford, who manages Nam Yang Pugilistic Association, said: “We hope the Savate competition is the start of many in Brighton.

“The tournament was also for my students to prepare for the competition.

“There will be four juniors and one adult from our school who will be taking part. I took part in the championships last year and came third, I hope we will have higher results this year.

“I am really proud of Jay, and he is also contemplating to participate in the nationals in the near future.

“Jay is a great student, he works hard and trains diligently. At our school, we tailor our training to suit students.

“While Jay is living with cystic fibrosis, and sometimes information on fighting technique can overload him, that hasn’t stopped him from coming to train with us.

“We had a massive turnout and we had competitors coming from different parts of the country.

“I have learnt martial for 18 years, and Savate for three years. After learning martial arts, I feel more confident and I am able to express myself. It has helped me overcome the phobia of being physically attacked. Even if you’re a fit athlete, it doesn’t mean you know how to respond to a threat.”