Chief Instructor, Yoshinobu Ohta, 7th Dan, is a graduate of Takushoku University and also attended the famous Instructors Classes at JKA Headquarters in Japan. Takushoku University in Japan has a tremendous reputation as one of Japan’s strongest Karate clubs and the club coach Ishikawa Sensei encouraged Sensei Ohta to continue studying karate. Many of the JKA’s top sensei’s including Masters Nakayama and Enoeda had previously graduated from Takushoku.
After leaving university he decided to continue karate at JKA. Sensei Tsuyama chief instructor of the Takushoku University Karate Club encouraged Sensei Ohta to train at the highly prestigious JKA instructors classes where Sensei Ohta soon found himself training alongside such respected names as Sensei’s Shoji, Asai, Abe, Tanaka, Osaka, Kagawa and Yahara. It was also common practice at this time for Sensei Nakayama to teach and assist during classes.
In 1982, Sensei Ohta was selected by Sensei Enoeda to come to England and become his assistant. From 1982-2003 Ohta Sensei was the assistant to Keinosuke Enoeda, 9th Dan. In the following twenty years Sensei Ohta built up a reputation as a very popular and technically brilliant senior instructor in his own right. It was during this time he gained an international reputation for being one of the most technically skilled JKA instructors. In 2003, following the death of his mentor, Sensei Enoeda, Sensei Ohta was appointed as the chief instructor of JKA England and has built the association from strength to strength.
In April 2010 Sensei Ohta passed the examination for 7th Dan in front of the JKA’s most senior technical committee at the JKA HQ Honbu Dojo in Tokyo.
Sensei Ohta teaches at all national courses and abroad, as well as at his own clubs in Covent Garden and Chelsea.
Sensei Gary was born in Kensington London in 1957. He started training at the age of twelve at the local boxing club in Pimlico. In 1973 Gary had his first karate lesson at a Dojo in Swiss Cottage. This came about after seeing a girl perform Kihon Kata at a youth club.
Swiss cottage was a little too far to travel so Gary went back to boxing and football.
In 1977 a Karate club opened up practically on his doorstep and so he joined. But it wasn’t that good. Finally 1n 1982, quite by accident, Gary found Marshall St SKC. He joined that day and remained until its closure over twenty years later. In that time, under the watchful eyes of Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta, Gary went on to be an important part in the success of the famous Marshall St Squad. He was captain of the Marshall St. Kumite Team on the first two occasions they won the Nationals, whilst still with the KUGB. Gary also won, at the age of 40 the KUGB Individual Southern Area Kumite title. Gary was the last person to win the Individual Kumite title at Sensei Enoeda’s Marshall Street yearly club competition. He was selected by Sensei Enoeda to compete for the JKA England National team in the European championships.
Gary’s own Club, Westminster, has produced many National Champions. Some have gone onto become European medallist and Champions.
Former coach of the JKA England National squad, he continues to teach and train as enthusiastically as his first day.
Sensei Ismail started learning karate in Montreal, Canada in 1975, with Sensei Francois Gelina.
From 1980 to 1986 Sensei Ismail continued training with Sakurai Sensei at the Shidokan Academy, and later managed the club with Melarie Taylor until 1990. Moving to New York, Sensei Ismail continued his training with Mori Sensei and then came to England in 1999. Since that time, Sensei Ismail trained regularly with (the late) Enoeda Sensei and now trains with Ohta Sensei.
Achievements:
1988 Training at Komazwa University for three month, with Oishi Sensei.
1995 Completing two year B level instructor course, with Mori Sensei.
1998 Completing two year A level instructor course with Mori Sensei.
1998 Competing Shoto Cup Paris USA.
2003 Technical Director JKA England
2011 Head Coach JKA England squad, Shoto cup Thailand.
Giuseppe D'Onofrio Sensei was born in Bonefro, Italy in 1959. His karate journey began in 1980 at Reading Apollo Karate Club under the guidance of Chief Instructor Sensei Casey. He achieved his 1st Dan in 1982 at Crystal Palace, under Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Tomita.
After a break from regular training due to work and family commitments, Giuseppe resumed his karate practice in 2001 with the support of Sensei Wilson Ifill, Chief Instructor of Tilehurst SKC. He continued to progress, earning his 2nd Dan at Crystal Palace in 2002 under Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta.
Through dedication and hard work, Giuseppe achieved his 3rd Dan in 2005 and 4th Dan in 2009, under Sensei Osaka and Sensei Ohta. His commitment to furthering his skills led him to Japan, where he studied and trained at the JKA Headquarters in 2013 and 2014, earning his 5th Dan and additional JKA qualifications.
Giuseppe returned to Japan in 2017 and 2018 to obtain further qualifications and, from 2014 to 2017, he served as the Assistant England Squad Coach under Sensei Ohta.
In 2022, Giuseppe achieved his 6th Dan and Level A Referee qualification in Brussels under Sensei Ueki.
Currently, Giuseppe holds the qualifications of 6th Dan JKA, A Level Referee, B Level Instructor, and C Level Examiner.
