Position Chief Instructor

About I began training in Shotokan karate in 1977 aged 8, under Sensei Shiro Asano (now 9th Dan). Training in those days was extremely strict, even children were made to do press ups on their knuckles, 100 each training session followed by 100 sit-ups. I managed to endure and graded to 9th Kyu (white belt, as they were then) in November 1978. Continuing my training I progressing to 4th Kyu (purple and white belt) in May 1980. Due to progressing other sporting interests a few years before I graded again. Eventually grading to 1st Dan (black belt) in October 1989 under Sensei Mike Baxendale 5th Dan and Sensei Paul Groves 2nd Dan. My training with Paul and Mike focused on using Karate in 'real life' situations. I got plenty of real life experience working on the doors at the local night club. This helped me understand how to apply Traditional Karate in highly pressured situations against real opponents. Progressing my training in various other martial arts including Ninjitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Ju jitsu, Muey Thai, Kick boxing, Judo, all whilst still training in Shotokan. I was training 6 days a week and competing every 2 to 3 weeks in semi contact point sparring. It was only when I started to train in full contact - Muey Thai and kick boxing, which later lead to me competing in Full Contact that I stopped competing in Points sparring. Still training in Shotokan Karate I gained my 2nd Dan in September 1999, under Sensei Peter Jones (4th Dan) 3rd Dan in June 2005 under Sensei Mike Burnand 8th Dan 4th Dan in September 2009 under Sensei Mike Burnand 8th Dan 5th Dan JKF on the 7th May 2011 under Sensei Mike Burnand 8th Dan JKF. 6th Dan JKF on the 13th May 2015 under Sensei Mike Burnand 8th Dan JKF. I started Kyo -Shin Martial Arts in November 1998. Kyo-Shin is Japanese for "Opened mindedness" and underpins the philosophy of our training. I still train hard even now I’m in my late 50’s and recently competed on the Body building stage. Overall training for fitness, core strength are key to martial arts training. Thanks for taking the time to read this short biography.