Sensei's karate history is long and varied, spanning some 30 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.

Mr McCartan began training in karate in 1984 with Jin Sei Kai.  He achieved his 1st Dan under the tuition of Sensei Leigh in 1988 with Paul Perry and was awarded 3rd Dan in 1995.  He was also the Jin Sei Kai kumite champion twice.  In his spare time, Mr McCartan enjoys running, cycling and drawing.

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.

Julie has trained since 1995 where she obtained 1st dan within the Jin Sei Kai organisation under Sensei Perry in 2000 and 2nd dan with sensei Kanazawa in Nov 2004. Julie joined Kodokai in 2001 and enjoys cycling, skiing, going to the Gym and swimming. 

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.
 

Brynn started karate with Jin Sei Kai under the tuition of Sensei Leigh in 1998.  In 2002, he was awarded with his 1st Dan and his 2nd dan with Kancho Kanazawa in Nov 2004.  For leisure activities Mr Green enjoys kart racing, mountain biking and fishing. 

Remus began training in Karate in 1990 with sensei Mihai Bernescu 5th dan. In 1992 he also started training in Kendo with sensei Tsushima 5th dan. Achieved his 1st dan karate in 1994, under sensei Iorga and 1st dan kendo, with sensei Kobo and 2nd dan Shotokan with Kancho Kanazawa in March 2006. He likes fishing, swimming, reading and music.

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. An integral part of the under 16's  regime at the Berkhamsted club Ben also enjoys cycling, drawing and Music, he has played Bass guitar in several bands.

Renauldo joined SKIFTT  at 12 with sensei Neville Mason 5th dan, obtaining Shodan in 1997. Representing Trinidad & Tobago at many International tournaments winning gold in the SKIF pan American Champions in Venezuela 1996, then awarded Karateka of the year SKIFTT 1997. Joined Kodokai in 2007 & achieved Nidan in 2007 with Kancho Kanazawa.  Renauldo enjoys  reading, football and music.

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 Sai Kai. In 2004 he joined Kodokai and passed his black belt in Nov 2005 with Kancho  Kanazawa and 2nd dan in May 2008. Michael  enjoys swimming, golf and squash.

Shamek as he is known comes from Poland and first began training in 1989 with sensei J. Skurska 4th dan (AKK/ PZKT). After a few years then he started training with sensei S. Gubiec 3rd dan (AKK). After joining Kodokai he achieved 1st dan in 2005 and 2nd dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2008. Przemys³aw includes in his hobbies: cycling, mountain - tours, reading and music.

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.

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.

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.

Christina joined Kodokai in February 2000 and achieved 1st Dan in October 2003 under Sensei Kanazawa. Christina lists as her hobbies as skiing,  keeping fit, running and she works out regularly in her local Gym.

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. 

Danny first started training under sensei Colin Martin 4th dan in 1998 and graded to 1st Dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2005. His hobbies are playing guitar & the piano, skiing, running and cricket.  Danny is also a member of Watford swimming club, plays for a local football team and is a member of the Watford water polo team

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.

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. Anna now owns a smallholding so when not working  spends her spare time riding her horse and looking after the animals and  family.

Alex began training in September 2002 with Kodokai and gained 1st Dan under Kancho Kanazawa in November 2007. Alex enjoys travelling, spending time with friends, cooking and gardening.

Kristan joined Jin Sei Kai in 1997 at the age of 5 years old under sensei's Ann & Alan Ware.  In 2003 he joined Kodokai SKKIF under sensei Leigh and in November 2007 achieved his 1st dan under sensei Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa. His hobbies are playing electric guitar, listening to music and spending time with friends. Kristan is currently training to be a mechanic.
 

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. His hobbies are playing guitar & the piano, running, skiing and cricket.  Cary is also a member of Watford swimming club,  he plays for a local football team and is a member of the Watford water polo team

Lawrence started training in 2002, under Sensei Wise of Fudokai SKKIF. He joined Kodokai in 2008 and received his 1st dan with Kancho Kanazawa in May 2008. Lawrence enjoys playing tennis, hockey, piano and clarinet.
 

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.

Darryn began training Shotokan Karate in South Africa in 1996 with the South African Shotokan Karate Academy (SASKA).  He achieved his 1st Dan, under Sensei Kenny Tawse, in 1999 with Shihan Koos Burger. Circumstance forced Darryn to leave Shotokan and begin training in Seiwa Kai. He achieved his 2^nd Dan under the tuition of Sensei Leon Buter in 2002 with Shihan Ben Mare. Darryn was the over 80kg Provincial All Style Champion for three consecutive years and was also a member of the SASKA National Karate team.  Darryn joined Kodokai in 2010. In his spare time, Darryn is passionate about rugby and generally keeping fit.

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.

MASTER FUNOKOSHI GICHIN, FOUNDER OF MODERN DAY KARATE

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