In 1989 my family used to live near the old Hart leisure centre at Fleet and from the age of 12, I would walk over on a Thursday and Saturday for training with Sensei Wicks.  As a school boarder I used to focus my efforts on the longer school holidays for grading, kata and fighting in the inter-club competitions.  As my working career has progressed on assignments abroad I have returned repeatedly to training Karate with Sensei Wicks when I am in the UK – joining in at Alton, Farnham and Fleet as well as attending courses in Croydon and Stratford-on-Avon way back when. 

I have had the privilege of attending international courses taught by Sensei Suzuki and Sensei Fukuzawa, as well as instruction in Norway, Ireland and from Belgium. While working abroad I would practice in the hotel rooms and gyms and sometimes tag along to local martial arts clubs – but have always returned to Wado-Ryu as taught by Sensei Wicks, as a lifelong student.

I attained my black belt in 2008 under the watchful eyes of Sensei Suzuki, Sensei Wicks and Sensei Allsop.  I have seen friends that I have introduced to their first karate lesson progress right through to black belt and kids move on to high levels of competition success and onwards to become accomplished young professional adults.

There is always more to learn, and a black belt is both a psychological barrier and just a belt, a goal and a responsibility.  The Karate training has been a key on my personal journey, opening doors to self-control, awareness and a greater way of peace.  I look forward to helping others start or continue their Karate and am excited by the opportunity to teach in my local community.