WTKO GB Senior Instructors Basil Leeshue 6th DAN Basil started training in 1972 with Sensei Asano, gaining his 1st dan 1978 training 4 times a week with Steve Cattle, Harvey Barker and Toro Takamizawa at Temple Karate Club in Birmingham. He fought internationally on numerous occasions winning the All English Championship. He continued studying shotokan under the guidance of Asano Sensei gaining 5th dan and joined the JKS to follow the teaching of Asai developing close quarter oyo techniques. He retook his 5th dan in 2006 at the JKS Hombu Dojo in Japan. In 2011 he won bronze in the WUKF World Championship, gold in WUKF Central European Championship and silver in the WUKO Worlds. He was awarded 6th Dan in 2013 by Sensei Dr. Josh Johnson 8th dan of Elite karate. He has continued to study shotokan under various senior instructors as Yamazaki Sensei, Terry O'Neil Sensei and of course Kagawa Sensei. After a serious illness he is now rebuilding his fitness and passing on knowledge to youngstudents with passion in Leeds Shotokan Elite Karate. Angelo Sanna 6th DAN Sensei Angelo Sanna started Shotokan karate in 1972 in Italy and gained 1st Dan in 1977.  He regained 1st Dan with the JKA in England having moved to live in London in 1980.  He gained his 2nd Dan in 1987 and also qualified as a referee for the JKA and KUGB that year becoming Chief Referee for the Varsity Games between Oxford and Cambridge. In 1990 he achieved his 3rd Dan, 4th Dan in 1994 and in 2001 he gained his 5th.  In 2012 he graded to Rokudan by the Panel of Examiners Tanaka Sensei, Osaka Sensei and Ueki Sensei, the Current Chief of JKA World Wide, making him the highest level non-Japanese in England together with Roy Tomlin Sensei. His Sensei and mentor was Professor Keinosuke Enoeda and he trained with him at his Marshall Street Dojo. He is privileged to have trained and taught beside most of the very best karateka in the world. Sensei Sanna has written a number of Articles about Karate which werepublished by SKM Magazine. He has travelled to Japan to take part in the Instructors Course (Gasshuku) for many years. Sensei Sanna has Refereed (was Chief Referee for JKA England) at many international and national tournaments, including the European and World Championships. He is a Shotokan Karate Instructor Level A, Referee Level A and Examiner Level B.  He is now WTKO Chief Referee. Whilst travelling around Great Britain, invited to teach (and test) regularly, he also runs Sasori Karate Club in London, teaching in Chelsea and Blackfriars. Reede Brown 5th DAN Reede started training in Shotokan karate in 1976 at Leicester karate club, under the instruction of Sensei Tony Conroy. In September 1980 he successfully took his 1st Dan under Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda. During his time at Leicester Karate Club, Reede trained and graded with Senseis K.Enoeda, H.Tomita, M.Kawasoe and A.Sherry. To compliment his karate, Reede has also trained in aspects of Aikido, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Wing Chun and LauGar styles of kung fu and Kyusho Jutsu. He now runs his club Kyokai Shotokan Karate in Cardiff. Philip Gunn 5th DAN Philip started training in 1976 with the KUGB JKA in England, in 1988 he moved to Scotland and joined the KUSN, senior instructors being Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Paul Dempsey.  He was the association kumite champion and kata silver medalist. During this time he represented Scotland at the European championships in Bochum, West Germany.  He was given permission by Sensei Dempsey to represent the WSKF GB team at the world championships in Japan. He gained his Dan Grades with Sensei Enoeda. He joined the JKS Scotland and gained his 5th Dan with Sensei Kagawa. He is now Sensei in Langholm SKC and is a WTKO kyu grade examiner. Ash Hawkes 5th DAN Born 1967 Ash Hawkes started training in various Dojos at the age of 8 years in and around Luton, Bedfordshire. Training under Instructors such as John Van Weenen then Colin Williams, and Julius George. He achieved Shodan in 1983. Inhis late 20s, after a break from Dojo training due to serious back injury, with his son Jason, he joined a Dojo in Luton and began training again, from the START! The training at that time was under I.A.S.K Licensed under EKGB. In 1997 under Fred Daniels Sensei and Robert Sidoli Sensei Ash joined the JKA UK where he continued to grade. In competition Ash gained title for the JKA UK in Kata & Kumite competing in Holland and in 1998 at the British Open Shotokan Karate Tournament in Bracknell, Berks. He has also competed for the JKA UK 1999 in York. Ash has received instruction from Julius George Sensei, Yahara Sensei, Van Weenen Sensei, Terry O'Neil Sensei, Bob Poynton Sensei, Frank Brennan Sensei, Billy Higgins Sensei, Andy Sherry Sensei, Yoshikazu Sumi Sensei, Jan Knobel Sensei and, more recently Richard Amos Sensei and Shihan Hidetaka Narumi. Ash has also been accepted as a fellow of the International Shotokan-ryu Karate do Shihankai in the interest of preserving Traditional ShotokanKarate and maintaining a standard. Eddie Ireland 5th Dan Eddie started Karate in 1973 doing Wado Ryu/Gojo Ryu. He continued with mixed style until 1982.  He joined Sensei Paul Dempsey KUSN Chief Instructor from 1982-2004 and then JKS Scotland from 2004-2015.  Over the years he has trained with most of the top Japanese Sensei - Enoeda, Kanazawa, Kawazoe, Kase to name a few. He acheived Shodan in 1986, Nidan in 1991 and Sandan in 1994 all with Enoeda Sensei.  Then in 2003 he gained Yondan KUSN/SKGB and in March 2012 he acheived Godan from Kagawa Sensei. Being in the Army he travelled and trained in many countries including Japan on many occasions.  He now runs his own not-for-profit dojo in Kirkton, Dundee where he has been fortunate to welcome many of the top Japanese and European instructors to visit and teach at the club. Glenn Riley 5th Dan Glenn is a full time Instructor who runs three Dojo's in Leeds. He started training in the art of Shotokan Karate in 1985 aged 15. Glenn now has27 Years experience and has trained and Graded under the most senior/successful Karate instructors in the world. In his quest for more knowledge, Glenn has trained with many inspirational karateka including: Andy Sherry 9th Dan KUGB, Enoeda 9th Dan JKA, Kato 9th Dan IJKA, Kagawa 8th Dan JKS, Norman Robinson 8th Dan JKS, Antonio Seba 8th Dan, Bob Rhodes 8th Dan KUGB, Dave Hazard 7th Dan ASK, Frank Brennan 7th Dan KUGB, Gary Harford 7th Dan KUGB, Aiden Trimble 7th Dan FSK, Jeff Westgarth 7th Dan ASK, Richard Amos 7th Dan WTKO, Kitagawa 6th Dan JKS and Scott Langley 6th Dan WTKO. Glenn is a former Student of Bob Rhodes 7th Dan and the late Randy Williams 6th Dan. He has competed in both Kata and Kumite and is a former British Champion, winning the Karate England National Championships in 2009. In August 2011, he took the big step to open his own Dojo, starting with just 5 students. Akashi Shotokan Karate Club (akashi.co.uk) has become one of the largest clubs in West Yorkshire, with over150 Members. He continues to work hard on a daily basis to ensure the highest standard of Karate is maintained for both his students and himself. Steve Bailes 4th Dan Steve started his martial arts in 1980 at the Twickenham Tae Kwon Do UKTA under Roger Koo, which was a great introduction to competing gaining South East championship medals in Kumite and Kata. With a family move he then started Wado Ryu in 1990`s with the Southern Karate Wado Kai under Sensei Trevor McCabe 4th Dan then, Sensei McCabe was his mentor and taught him Shobu Ippon Kumite with successful medal places in the Southern region Championships and representing the SKW at European level. He restarted in Shotokan Karate in 1999 with then the JKA UK which evolved into the JSKA UK affiliated direct to the JSKA Japan with Shihan Keigo Abe 9th Dan.  He then passed Shodan in 2002 and Nidan in 2004 with Shihan Sidoli . In 2004 he opened the Blackwater Valley Shotokan Dojo. 2006 was a year competing in the JSKA WorldChampionship in New York attaining a second place in Kumite in the Veteran division, further to this in 2007 he was invited to the KWF 5th World Cup in Japan with Robert Sidoli Sensei taking a 3rd place in Kumite at the Veterans Division. In 2008 he graded to Sandan under Shihan Keigo Abe and the Shihankai at the JSKA World Championship in the centre of the Manchester Velodrome, and then taking D Class examiners, Instructors, and Referee under Shihan Keigo Abe in Germany. In October 2010 they teamed up with Dave and Amanda Gisby to coach the JSKA UK team to the World Championships in Portugal competing and bringing home team medals including a 1st place in the Kumite Veterans division, Steve's personal best. In 2011 the Fleet Dojo was opened. In 2012 The Shotokan Karate Friendship Alliance was established breaking from the JSKA UK. With independence and time to reflect on the next direction they now have chosen the WTKO GB  to be their family. The WTKO International Summer Camp 2015saw Steve gain his Yondan from the panel of Sensei's John Mullin, Steve Ubl, Richard Amos, Scott Middleton and Scott Langley. Richard Bakewell 4th Dan Richard started training in Shotokan Karate in 1984 at the age of 14 in a small club in Carmarthen, West Wales. He moved to High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire in 1992 as a result of his work and in 1997 attained shodan (1st dan) with the Southern Shotokan Karate Association. In 2000 he moved back to Wales and continued training with various clubs before joining the Karate Union of Wales run by Sensei Mike O’Brien 8th dan. Richard is indebted to Sensei O’Brien for the high standard of instruction, guidance and friendship he was given. Richard successfully graded with the KUW to nidan (2nd dan), sandan (3rd dan) and in 2012 achieved yondan (4th dan). In 2009 Richard opened a club in the small village of St Florence, Pembrokeshire running classes two nights a week which is still going strong 5 years later. He is assisted by Mat McMann 2nd danand other senior grades at the club. Jonathan Huddleston 4th Dan Jonathan started training in 1996 under Sensei Philip Gunn at Langholm Karate Club, then of the KUSN headed by Sensei Paul Dempsey and Sensei Enoeda. The club moved to the KUGB where he took a keen interest in competition, winning the KUGB Scottish Kumite title 7 times and making the podium at the KUGB British Championships. In the process he became a member of the KUGB Scotland Squad - travelling and competing in many countries across the world. During this time he relocated to Edinburgh where he was hugely influenced by training regularly under Sensei Gordon Mathie. Jonathan attained his 4th Dan under Sensei Andy Sherry and Sensei Bob Poynton in April 2013. In 2012 he started his own clubs in Edinburgh. Nick Keys 4th Dan Nick started training in 1985 in Keighley West Yorkshire under the guidance of the SKIGB and Asano Shiro, and then the ZKGB with Mike Burnand based in Leeds. With great competitors like Paul lynch, CarlHerbert, Pat Tipon & Andy Cusic, the club was successful at numerous regional and national competitions. In 1988 Nick decided to also train with Jeff Bottomley, Mo illyas and Graham Thorpe who were part of the very successful Shukokai group, who were dominating English karate at the time. Training alongside many European, Commonwealth and World Champions, Nick’s karate dramatically improved. This training had a huge impact on Nick’s style and he continues to train with them today. As a result of such intensive training, Nick was selected for the AMA National Team and travelled with the squad to Berlin for the World Team Championships, winning Gold for England. In 1993 Nick relocated to South Africa and started to train with Kasuya Hitoshi’s WSKF there, under the guidance of Allan Strates and Nigel Jackson. On his return to the UK he maintained this connection, training with Mitsuoka Tomiko and Alistair Mitchell. In recent years, travel has allowed Nick to train with many newinstructors including Kevin Clark, Ray Wilkins and Peter Allen, re-establishing contact with the SKIGB and AMA. He has also continued his competition success with gold, silver and bronze medals in the Northwest Open, JKS Irish Open and the National Championships. In September 2014 Nick joined the WTKO and looks forward to a new chapter in his karate career. He is a Qualified AMA referee & Coach. Steve King 4th Dan Steve started his Karate life back in 1994 training in the E.K.O under Sensei Dave Sharkey 7th Dan. He originally started Karate to support his son who wanted to join a local class. After 6 weeks he was hooked and Karate soon became a huge part of his life. He trained at every opportunity and under the guidance of Sensei Tim Longmuir 3rd Dan and Sensei Andy Boulden 5th Dan he was promoted to Shodan in 1998 by Sensei Sharky with the E.K.O. In 1999 he began lone training with a few other Karate-Ka and others asked if they could join in. Only a few months later Samurai KarateSchool was born. They became members of The BNMAA and subsequently of TRADKA UK. In year 2000 he achieved Nidan with TRADKA UK and in 2003 was promoted to Sandan. In 2007 after recovering from a serious knee injury he was promoted to 4th Dan with The BNMAA. After the demise of The BNMAA seeking guidance for future learning they were introduced to Sensei Anne Hastings 6th Dan,  Sensei Ivor Garner 6th Dan and Sensei Colin Needham 5th Dan enjoying many training sessions with these Sensei as well as having the privilege to train with Kanazawa Sensei on several occasions. They remained independent for several years as they wished to avoid the politics that came with major associations. In Jan 2015 Steve met Sensei Scott Langley at a seminar and his Karate was changed forever. After the training with Sensei Amos and Sensei Mullin he had finally found a Karate group in the WTKO that ticked so many boxes for what an Association should be and that could take him and his students forward intheir Karate journey. After this experience and the fact that Sensei Needham was also a key member of The WTKO the decision to join was an easy one. Since forming Samurai Shotokan Karate School in 1999 they have grown from 6 students to over 100 today in Kings Lynn and Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Paul Murphy 4th Dan Paul began training quite late in life with Chikara Karate in the Wirral and upon gaining his Shodan some twenty years ago, he formed Chikara Dojo in Birmingham . He has travelled to Japan and Okinawa and completed Kangeiko, a week long intensive training programme, on three separate occasions having been introduced to cold training by Scott Langley Sensei . He firmly believes in the fundamental traditional form of Shotokan Karate and truly believes that as a proud member of the WTKO with its direct lineage from Funakoshi Gichin Sensei, he will continue to provide honest, caring and dedicated training for newcomers and old alike . Steve Royle 4th Dan Steven’s karate journeybegan in 1986 under sensei Horace Clarke of kofukan karate do and all his grades for beginner to 1st kyu were taken under Sensei Tomiyama 6th Dan. Due to work commitments he had to leave Bolton kofukan after grading for and achieving 1 st kyu After a very short break he decided to try and find a club that trained a little closer to his place of work at the time and joined the IRKKD association in Bolton. He was re-assessed for my 1st kyu by Sensei  Steve Costello 7th Dan wado ryu, all his grades from 1st Kyu to 3rd Dan were then taken under Sensei Costello. He joined Swinton karate club (Red Sun Karate as they are now known) in late 2006 under Sensei Needham and his grades were reassessed and rectified by Sensei Needham. In 2010 he was asked to teach the Wednesday night class at our Walkden dojo. He successfully graded to 4th Dan on 14th November 2013 at Red Sun Karate under the grading panel of Sensei Colin Needham, 5th Dan and Sensei Malcolm Johnson, 5th Dan. He has had the honourand privilege to train with excellent instructors along his karate journey, during his day to day training, or whilst attending courses throughout the UK and Europe. Andrea Carbon 3rd Dan Andrea Carbon is the Principal Instructor of Hadashi Senshi Do in Lancaster and senior instructor of Sanchin Karate Academy. Andrea began to study karate in 1987 with the Karate Union of Great Britain at Lancaster Red Rose Karate Club under the instruction of Norman Barrett. She started competing within her first 6 months of training and won her first title as an 8th Kyu in 1988, which was 1st place at the Cumbria Open. She continued to compete for over 10 years and has experienced success at club, regional and national levels. In 1992, she was awarded the grade of Shodan by Senseis Keinsouke Enoeda and Andy Sherry. Since then, she has trained with many masters both at home and abroad, the most influential to date being the late Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama. Between 1997 and 2003, Andrea resided in theRyu karate and in Jiu Jutsu (with Ray Wonnacott). He returned to training in 2008 with Sensei Dave Richards in Danescourt, and is currently training at Kyokai Shotokan Karate, Llandaff. Sally Hawkes 2nd Dan Sally has been training in Shotokan Karate for nearly 20 years now. She first saw Karate when her husband (Ash Hawkes) used to practice at home and she was captivated by it’s strangeness. She then wanted to learn the same from her Husband. However Ash thought it was best if she was taught by someone else and in 1997 Sally signed up to train with a local Karate Instructor in Luton, Bedfordshire. Sally then continued to train under the JKA UK until she reached 7th Kyu. In 1999 she moved, with her family, to South Devon where she continued to train under the instruction of Ash Hawkes, this time under the auspices the E.K.O. (English Karate Organisation). In 2004 Sally took her Shodan under a panel of 3 Senior Instructors and passed with flying colors. Another 3 years would pass beforeSally took her Nidan. Sally is proud to be a member of the WTKO and she is integral to the running and decision making process within WTKO South West. Sally is currently training hard and Teaching most days through out the week. Sally is a Qualified Sports Therapist and Sports Nutritionist and is currently studying to be a Clinical Nutritional Practitioner. Mat McMann 2nd Dan Mathew started training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 21 in a small club in St Florence, Tenby, West Wales. Training under Sensei Richard Bakewell and Chief Instructor Sensei Mike O’Brien 8th Dan as part of the KUW. Mathew successfully achieved his 1st Dan and in 2014 his 2nd Dan. Mathew went through the Assistant instructors course in late 2013 and after passing he now confidently teaches within the club. Mathew is grateful to both Sensei Bakewell and Sensei O’Brien for the high level of instruction and mentorship he has been shown and through this has gained valued friends and life skills. Simon Shepherd 2ndDan Simon Shepherd started first his karate, aged 6, in 1978 in Manchester. Originally starting his karate with Shukokai Karate Union, Simon quickly excelled and received his Shodan a few years after that. Simon then moved from Shukokai to Shotokan karate, training across Manchester for many years at various clubs. At the age of 18 years old, Simon completed his Nidan grading.  He then went to Manchester University and joined the infamous Manchester University Shotokan Karate club, under the tutilidge of Sensei Gary Hartford and, of course, became a member of the KUGB. After graduation, Simon  moved to Liverpool where he spent, until very recently, his time training at Liverpool’s Red Triangle Karate Club, under senseis Andy Sherry, Bob Poynton and Frank Brennan. Simon has been fortunate enough to compete at regional, national and European levels; winning many titles along the way. Not to mention, completing his instructor, judge and referee’s qualifications. He’s also been luckyenough to train under some of the great Japanese senseis over the years too. He retired from competition aged 27 years old, having competed almost every week from the age of 11! Simon moved down to Cheltenham 7 years ago and joined the Cheltenham Karate Club and before too long became it’s sensei following the retirement of Sensei Rob Bunting.