5th Dan
I started in Martial Arts in Wu Shu Kung Fu learning the boxing style known as Fung-Sau under a Chinese instructor Chee Soo in London during the early 70’s reaching the grade of 3rd Pan. Travelling from Essex to London to train 2/3 times a week took its toll, so I looked for a local club, but at that time Martial Arts clubs were very scarce. However, with the popularity of the Kung Fu films, the few clubs that there were saw a boom in the number of students all wanting to be the next Bruce Lee. Basildon had its very own British Karate champion and so I moved over to Karate under the guidance of Sensei Peter Dennis 3rd Dan Ishinryu style.
It was not long before I realised that Karate was to become a way of life to me and I’m pleased to say that this led to a not only a personal friendship with Peter that has lasted over 30 years but also a loyal student/instructor relationship that is rare in Karate.
I trained at the Basildon Ishinryu club for some 10 years and made regular visits to Ticky Donovan’s Dagenham dojo and was a regular student at Ticky’s yearly week-long summer courses in Clacton, where I had the opportunity to train under many of the great names in English Karate.
