Marrable (52), a Dunedin information consultant, became a paraplegic after a cliff he was climbing at Dunbar, Scotland, at the age of 10, collapsed.
He wanted to start karate when he lived in England but no teacher would take anyone in a wheelchair into their group.
Life changed for Marrable when he emigrated to New Zealand in 1974 and started formal karate lessons two years later.
He was the first wheelchair-bound person in New Zealand to compete in karate.
Marrable uses the Okinawan Gaju Ryu karate technique and is one of only two fighters in New Zealand to have a fifth dan black belt.
He said there were about 20 people in New Zealand who had gained their fifth dan black belt in other karate disciplines.
To get the award, Marrable had to fight against able-bodied fighters, and not just against fellow disabled competitors.
He gained the award at a training camp at Naha, on the island of Okinawa, late last month.
There were 700 competitors from 27 countries at the camp, including 13 from New Zealand.
Marrable has adopted a positive approach to life and has not been put off by his handicaps.
"Everyone has some disability, either physical or mental," Marrable said.
"I like to give everything a go and live life to the fullest."
He has demonstrated this tenacity since starting paralympic sport.
Marrable won four gold medals and one silver in swimming at the Fespic Games in 1977, and also represented New Zealand in Australia in 1979.
He enjoyed swimming and athletics in paralympic sport until he retired in 1984.
He was a regular skier at Cardrona until he crashed and injured his shoulder two years ago and has given up the sport on the advice of his surgeon.
