Our Instructor





1981	Started training in Shotokan Karate at a small SKI Dojo

	Joined Shotokan of England Karate Union (SEKU) and took regular gradings with Senseis Jess Lavender, Dave Hazard and Mick Dewey

	Had a very successful competition record as a junior, placing or winning the SEKU Nationals and SEKU Open, including Regional Champion and Champion of Champions titles

1986	Passed Shodan grading at the age of 14

1988	Passed Nidan at the age of 16 under the guidance of Senseis Lavender and Hazard

1990	At age 18, travelled to Japan with the sole purpose of studying Shotokan at its source and stayed for six months

	First trained at a Gyashaku training camp with Yahara Sensei in the company of some of the UK's senior karate-ka and students of Yahara Sensei

Simon with Kawawada Sensei at the Hoitsugan Dojo (1990)	Moved into the Hoitsugan Dojo under the tuition of Kawawada Sensei

Simon with Shina Sensei at the Honbu Dojo (1990)	Trained at the Honbu Dojo* approximately 4 hours a day, six days a week *(At this time the JKA and its instructors were all under one roof in the famous Honbu Dojo that was a former bowling alley.) Trained alongside strong karate-ka who have now earned their places as Sensei

Triumphant First Place Team Kata winners of the Regional Competition in Japan: Simon, Rene and John (1990)	Helped represent Hoitsugan Dojo as a member of the Team Kata (that won Gold) and Kumite in two Regional Competitoins held in venues like the Budokan

1991	Returned to England and passed Sandan grading with SEKU at the age of 19

	Competed at a high level, from 1991 to 2000, winning the following titles in Kata and Kumite:

	SEKU Area Championships Kata Champion for 10 consecutive years

	SEKU Invitational Championships Kata Champion for 8 years

	SEKU Area Championships Kumite Champion for 3 years

	SEKU Invitational Championships Kumite Champion for 3 years

	Represented England in Kata and as a SEKU Squad Member

1994	Returned to Japan for 3 months to gain more knowledge of Shotokan, staying again at the Hoitsugan Dojo

	Trained at the JKA Honbu Dojo for four hours a day, six days a week

	Returned to England and resumed competing and studying Shotokan with the support of Hazard Sensei and Lavender Sensei

1997	London Open Grand Champion

	SEKU Area Championships Grand Champion

	SEKU Invitational Championships Grand Champion

2000	Passed Yondan at age 28

	Lavender Sensei, in an act of kindness, handed over to Simon the Kihaku Dojo (formerly known as Billingshurst Dojo)

	Then Simon concentrated on teaching and training skills to pass on to students – both young and old

2003	Left SEKU to follow Hazard Sensei who formed the Academy of Shotokan Karate (ASK)

	Is on the ASK Technical Panel and is Squad Coach, helping both ASK members and students to achieve their best karate, regardless of ability

	Co-founded, and is Co-instructor of, Self Protection Training (SPT) a company whose purpose is to teach self-awareness, confidence and self-defence to a wide range of individuals and groups

	Promotes Shotokan Karate through seminars, courses and annual competitions

2006	Simon was awarded his Godan on 3rd December by Sensei Dave Hazard and Sensei Jess Lavender. Still photo of the demonstration by Simon and Mike Lynch at the Shobu Ippon Shotokan Open 2006

OUR SENSEI, or instructor, is Simon Staples (5th Dan).