I started training as a school kid in Omagh in 1985 in a Wado club which was part of the A.I.K.W under Sensei Suzuki and then later Sensei Iwasaki.
This club and association at the time was excellent in that we had regular training sessions with other clubs throughout Ireland and other visiting Japanese Sensei’s. I competed in both Kata and Kumite events for Ireland the highlight being the first European WIKF Championship.
After university, I moved to England and eventually after trying a few clubs around Birmingham and Coventry then settled with a club in Warwickshire under Sensei Dave Martin. With this club, I went on to achieve my Dan grades up to 3rd Dan and again participated in competitive events.
I moved back to Ireland with Dave in 1999 and together we set up our school of Karate. The USTK was very successful and we later joined the Washinkai Association under Sensei Chris Thompson and this has enabled us to develop further.
Karate is very much in the family with both of us and our 3 kids involved in the club, its very much part of our lives.
I achieved my Godan in 2012 and Rokudan in 2018.