i heard that story - it was in my "Karate Kid" annual when i was younger! it's probably true though.
i used to do shotokan karate back in the late 80s / early 90s. got my 1st dan when i was 10 i stopped a few months later though cos i didn't have the time to train 3 times a week and do my homework!
i wish i never stopped doing it now tho