Sensei's karate history is long and varied, spanning some 36 years.  He started training with ASKA in 1977.  Whilst there, he achieved 2nd Kyu under the tuition of Sensei Malcolm Phipps and graded by Sensei Blante 4th Dan.  Sensei Leigh joined Jin Sei Kai in 1981 under the tuition of Sensei Paul Perry 8th Dan.  He graded to 1st Dan in 1982 under Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa.  Jin Sei Kai left SKIF in 1982 and Sensei Leigh continued training under the direction of Sensei Paul Perry 8th dan.  He achieved 2nd Dan in 1985, 3rd Dan in 1991 and 4th Dan in 1997.  Sensei enjoys swimming, skiing, guitar, photography and squash. Kancho Kanazawa awarded sensei Leigh his 5th dan at the National sports centre in Lillishall on 6th November 2005. In 2009 sensei Leigh captained the SKKIF UK squad at the SKIF World championships in Athens, gaining 4th place in senior individual kata and second place in team senior kata. Sensei received his 6th dan from Kancho Kanazawa at the Watford dojo in November 2011. Sensei Leigh was elected vice Chairman of SKKIF in December 2012.

Steve joined the KUGB under Sensei Gordon at Birmingham University in 1979 reaching 3rd Kyu. In 1982  he joined  SKKIF under Sensei Hpa at Northwick Park and graded Shodan with Sensei Kanazawa in 1984. Steve joined  Trained with sensei Asano whilst in Nottingham and graded Nidan in 1993. After moving to London he joined Fudokai with Sensei Wise at Greenford and in 2009 moved to Kodokai under Sensei Leigh where he achieved 3d dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2009. His other interests include small-boat angling, beekeeping, hiking, camping and caravanning.

Ben trained briefly in ESKA in 1997 but left through injury. He then joined Sensei Leigh's Dojo in 1999, achieving Shodan with Kancho Kanazawa in March 2003 and 2nd dan  in March 2006.  Ben also enjoys cycling, drawing and Music, he has played Bass guitar in several bands. Ben received his 3rd dan from Kancho Kanazawa in November 2011.

Phil began his Karate with sensei John Wise at Fudokai and achieved 2nd Dan in 2007 with Kancho Kanazawa in Windsor and then joined Kodokai in 2008. Phil enjoys walking, wind surfing and ski-ing. Phil received his 3rd dan from Kancho Kanazawa in November 2011.

Michael began training in 1987 at the YMCA in Watford but after reaching 3rd kyu took a long break. Resuming his karate career with sensei Colin Martin in 2000 as a white belt he then re-graded back to brown in 2004 with Jin Sei Kai. In 2004 he joined Kodokai and passed his black belt in Nov 2005 with Kancho  Kanazawa and 2nd dan in May 2008, in May 2013 he received his 3rd dan with newly appointed Kancho of SKIF Nobuaki Kanazawza 6th dan. Michael  enjoys swimming, golf and squash.

Vit began his training in 1988 in Czech with sensei Sochatzi 2nd Dan CSKe/WKF. He was a member of the Czech national team in kumite in 1994/95. Vit achieved 1st Dan in 2000 and then joined Kodokai in 2005 when he came to England, achieving 2nd Dan with Kancho Kanazawa in November 05.  His hobby is traveling especially mountain-tours.

First dabbled with Karate in 1988 with a local club before joining Jin Sei kai at Newcastle University and achieving 1st Dan under Sensei Perry in 1997. After travelling for 3 years and experiencing a variety of different Dojos and styles she joined the IASK and gained 2nd Dan under Sensei Nick Adamou in 2003. Sharon joined Kodokai in 2009 but has been an active participant in Kodokai events for many years since meeting sensei Leigh through Jin Sei Kai. Sharon also enjoys generally keeping fit and travelling and in 2011 she was awarded 3rd dan by Kancho Kanazawa in Watford.
 

Reza joined Kodokai in 2008 after moving to the UK from Afghanistan. When in Afghanistan he was junior freestyle champion and won many tournaments that were mainly held in Iran, he achieved 2nd dan in May 2009 with Kancho Kanazawa. Reza's hobbies include playing guitar and football. in 2009 Reza won the 16-17 year olds World kumite title at the SKIF world championships in Athens.

Danny first started training under sensei Colin Martin 4th dan (Jin Sei Kai)  in 1998 and joined SKKIF in 2002  and graded to 1st Dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2005. His hobbies are playing guitar in his band, ski-ing and swimming. Danny is a qualified Life Guard and personal trainer, he received his 2nd dan with Kancho Kanazawa in 2010.

Ben started Karate at seven years old and attended his local KUGB club in Exeter.  He trained under Sensei Collacott 3rd Dan and obtained his 1st Dan with Sensei Enoeda. After moving to the Watford area Ben joined Kodokai at the end 2007 and passed his 2nd Dan in Watford in May 2009.  His hobbies include tennis, playing guitar and running.

Cary began training with his dad sensei Leigh when he was 5 years old and received his 1st dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2008. Cary is a qualified Life Guard and his hobbies include playing guitar & the piano, swimming, ski-ing and trampolining. Cary received his 2nd dan from Kancho Kanazawa in November 2011.

Anna started training in 2000 with the KUGB under  Sensei Willis 5^th dan. In 2001 joined ESKA under the tuition of Sensei Hitchings 4^th dan. Anna joined Kodokai in 2002 and achieved 1^st dan in March 2006 with Kancho Kanazawa and 2nd dan with Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013. Anna owns a smallholding so when not working  spends her spare time riding her horse and looking after her animals, she lists her hobbies as ski-ing, cycling and swimming.

Jackie began training with Jin Sei Kai in 1981.  Due to family commitments, Mrs Nutkins took a hiatus, then resumed training in 1997 under Sensei Leigh.  She achieved 1st Dan in 2001 grading under Sensei Perry 8th dan.  Her hobbies include gardening, shiatsu massage and needlecraft. 

William started Shotokan with Sensei Mola 4th Dan in 1985. He commenced Shotokan again with SKKIF under Sensei Steve Hpa in 1995.  He joined Kodokai in 2000 and went on to attain his 1st Dan in 2005 with Kancho Kanazawa. Hobbies include music, dancing,  painting and Tennis. William is also a second kyu in Wing Chung.

Joshua began training aged 10 at Kodokai Watford under Sensei Leigh and received his 1st Dan from Kancho Kanazawa in May 2009. In his free time Joshua enjoys playing and performing Piano and often helps out accompanying pupils in their music exams and competitions, he  also enjoys tennis and swimming.

Paul started training in Goju ryu karate in 1977. He later joined a Shotokan club in 1990 and progressed to green belt before leaving Kenya for USA. In 1994 he trained in Shito ryu and attained green belt. In 1997 he rejoined a Shotokan club under sensei Rick Hotton (5^th Dan) in Florida and attained brown belt. From 1998 to 2000 he trained with JKA Shotokan karate under sensei Chris Dolbeare (3^rd Dan) and sensei Gary Dabney (6thDan) in Missouri and graded for 1^st Dan in 2000. While in U.S.A. Paul participated in several all-style tournaments in both Kata and Kumite. In 2001 he  joined English Karate Organization and then SKIF Kenya under sensei Kisofero until early 2002. From 2003 he took a long break and joined Kodokai SKKIF at Watford in 2010.

Glenn played and coached ice hockey, baseball, football, and soccer in his youth, and spent 12 years in weight training before immigrating from Canada to the UK. He joined Kodokai in 2005 and obtained 1st Dan under Kanazawa in 2010. Glenn also pursues an active outdoor life including hiking, skiing and worldwide travel.
 

Yotko Kirov 1st dan

Yotko trained in  Judo from 1977 to 1981 in high school in Bulgaria, achieving 1^st Kyu. From 1983 to 1987 he studied Kyokushinkai Karate, achieving 1^st kyu. From 1987 to 1993 he studied and worked in Germany, where he trained in various styles of Karate. He moved to UK in 1993 and continued Kyokushinkai under Hanshi Steve Arneil 9^th Dan. In 1999 Yotko started Shotokan Karate in the famous Marshall Street dojo under Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda 8^th Dan JKA, achieving 3^rd kyu in 2003. In 2005 Yotko joined SKKIF, under Sensei Furlong-Walker in Fulham and moved to Kodokai in November 2008, achieving 1^st Dan in November 2010 under Kancho Kanazawa. Yotko’s other interests include CrossFit and weight lifting.

Russell has been training with Kodokai under sensei Leigh since April 2008. When not training his hobbies include running and cycling. Russell has two daughters who also train with Kodokai. He obtained his 1st Dan under Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013.
 

Olga obtained 1st Dan under Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013.

Simon Middleton 1st dan

Simon obtained 1st Dan under Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013.

Danayan obtained 1st Dan under Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013.
 

Thomas Durn 1st dan

Thomas started Karate at Kodokai in 2004 at the age of 9, he is a qualified cricket coach and hobbies include playing rugby, football and running. Thomas was awarded his 1st Dan under Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa in May 2013.

MASTER FUNOKOSHI GICHIN, FOUNDER OF MODERN DAY KARATE

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