Karate is way of life, a way to stay healthy in mind and body. I truly believe that the only way to become good at karate is through hard work, repetitive training and the continuous endeavor for perfection that we can never reach.

I have been practicing karate for over 25 years, and 7 years training in Japan. I have studied several styles of karate over the years but my main influences are from Goju karate and Kyokushinkai. I started my karate training in 1994 when I joined a local Kyokushin club in Japan. Since then I have moved around, and have train in several styles.

I discovered Goju karate when the lads from Broseley did a demonstration at a Wado-ryu club I was training at in Shropshire. Since then I haven’t looked back and have now practiced Goju karate for over 10 years. One of the reason I prefer Goju-ryu over other styles is because of its rich cultural history. Goju-ryu comes from Okinawa where karate is a way of life. It’s one of my life ambitions to visit Okinawa and train in one of the famous historical dojos.

Experience and inspirations

2014 – Present established Goju-Ryu Karate Milton Keynes under the EGKA and in 2021 achieved sandan (third degree black belt)​

From 2002 I trained at Broseley Goju Kan under Sensei Max Beddow and achieved nidan (second degree black belt)​

From 2011 to 2013 I trained at Doushikan Nagoya and took my shodan (first degree black belt) under the Japan Karate Federation (JFK). I had already obtained my black belt under sensei Max but the JFK required new member to retake the grading.

From 2001 I moved to Shropshire and trained at Shrewsbury Wadoryu under Sensei Frank Johnson (achieving Wadoryu 4th kyu)​

From 1994, my first adult experience of karate was at Hitachinaka Kyokushinkai where we regularly attended seminars with Sensei Matsui (I achieved Kyokushinkai shodan)​ and fought in many regional tournaments. Kyokushinkai is very focused on kumite and competition. At this time in Japan K1 was hugely popular and and some of the top fighters came from a Kyokushinkai background. Kyokushinkai became a household brand and many clubs experienced a boom in the number of students.

Credentials

2019 NSPCC Child Protection in sport

2019 Basic First Aid

2019 CRB Checked

Others

MSc Technology Management​

Contact​: gojumk@gmail.com