A Japanese martial art has given a Warwick man the strength to battle his way through years of treatment and therapy after he received a diagnosis of a brain tumour.

Now, Shaun Tuzo is on the verge of earning a coveted black belt in aikido and said he hoped to one day open his own school, called a dojo.

Mr Tuzo, now 38, has also written a pamphlet on his struggle, called The Cards I was Dealt to thank everyone who has helped him on his fight against illness. Mr Tuzo said his illness had left him with vision and balance problems.

He added he “begged” his family to let him take part in sports and martial arts. Mr Tuzo said: “My doctor wasn’t too happy, but after a while they came around and let me go.”

Mr Tuzo was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour as a child after he started to suffer severe headaches.

He was rushed to Toronto, where doctors operated on him and he has since endured more operations and gruelling physiotherapy.

Mr Tuzo played tennis and swam to help him get back on his feet but kung fu, followed by karate, made him “fall in love the first time” with martial arts.

He discovered aikido 15 years ago and persevered, even though, three years in, he needed more treatment abroad and “a lot of therapy”.

Mr Tuzo said: “After I passed my first test I was so proud of myself.”

Mt Tuzo needed more treatment after passing his second test in the sport.

He said: “At least I knew how hard the road to recovery was”.

He returned to aikido and took his third test, but failed on his first attempt. Mr Tuzo, however, stuck at it and gained the qualification at the second go.

The assistant at Aberfeldy Nursery in Paget said he lived in his own apartment and “loves” his independence.

He added: “I’ve done a lot of things people didn’t think I would be able to do.”

He wrote in his pamphlet: “I am doing so well, but I don’t want anyone to think it is easy. You don’t know how hard it is just to open my eyes and get out of bed.”

Collins Smith, Mr Tuzo’s aikido instructor at Warwick’s Bermuda Aikikai, said it had been “a really great feeling” to watch him climb the ranks of the martial art.

He added: “I’m grateful that I’ve been able to help somebody and assist a student like Shaun.

Mr Smith said the school was “like family” and the complex moves of the sport had helped build Mr Tuzo’s confidence.

He added: “I watch his movements, and he really thinks. It’s him processing and then putting it into body motions. Once he gets it, he’s got it.”

Mr Smith said Mr Tuzo had achieved the senior level of second kyu, and was “probably due for another test, and then will test for his black belt”.

He added: “I think it keeps him going,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Tuzo said he loved Bermuda Aikikai for “the people that come here”.

He added his medical history prevented him from taking part in tournaments, but he does classes twice a week. Mr Tuzo said: “It helps with everything — balance, strength, stamina and co-ordination. But if you don’t love it, you won’t stick with it.”