SKIF – Page 2 – Yamakai Karate JKR

July 20, 2020

Martial Arts Stories

Humans of Martial Arts are sharing stories from across the world

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“I had an interest in Marital Arts from a young age. In the early 80’s it was difficult to find a Karate dojo. It wasn’t until 1985 that a Karate dojo opened near to where I lived, and I went and watched a demo. It was amazing, the black belts were awesome. I signed up immediately. I first met Simon Oliver Sensei in the late 90’s, and he introduced me to Shindo Jinen Ryu. Simon Sensei opened my eyes to the real-world of the applications of Kata. After meeting Simon Sensei, I attended as many of his courses as possible all over the UK. Simon is now not only my Sensei, but also a good friend. After many years of training and competing (including as part of the UK SKIF team in Japan and Athens), I established the Yamakai Karate Dojo in 2002 for my personal training and development, and started to attract a small but loyal following of like-minded karateka. I originally planned to work in Dubai for 1 year. That was in 2015. The Yamakai dojo was left in the capable hands of its members and Simon Oliver Sensei teaches there every Monday evening. Due to personal reasons and work availability I ended up working for longer in Dubai. I worked for Emirates for 5 years, as Senior Business Analyst and Product manager for safety, security and compliance. I was invited to teach Karate at their Martial Arts studio in the Emirates Aviation College. All cabin crew will go through self-defence training as part of their training from Emirates Group Security. I taught additional classes for dnata and Emirates staff, this included pilots, cabin crew, IT, medical, travel and catering. I have gone back to my dojo a few times when I visited the UK and plan to do so again after COVID-19. I stay in contact with Simon Oliver Sensei and my students. Dubai looks to be home for the near future. I’m registered with the Ryobukai, so I’ll hopefully open another dojo here soon.” @stevekarate – Dubai. @ryobukaisi @ryobukaidubai Help us grow this community by following us, leaving a comment or tagging a friend. Thanks! #martialarts #martialartist #karate #ryobukai #ryobukaikarate #ryobukaionefamily #dubai #dubaimartialarts #motivation #hardtraining #fist #punch #budo #judo #jkd #brucelee

A post shared by HumansofMartialArts (@humansofmartialarts) on Jul 19, 2020 at 5:02am PDT

June 29, 2020

Stephen Marriott Karate Achievements (2007-2019)

I was honoured to take my yondan in 2009 with Hirokazu Kanazawa Sensei and to compete at the the 10th SKIF World Championships. My last competition win was in 2017 where I took 1st place at the UAE Nationals in the Kumite Men’s Open Weight.

In 2008 I joined the JKR-UK Team for a training holiday in Tokyo, Japan. I was lucky to train at the Ryobukan JKR Hombu dojo under Konishi Soke II. I also trained in Okinawa at the IOGKF Budosai in 2019.

2019
World Gishiki & IOGKF 40th Anniversary celebrations – Budosai, Okinawa

2017
UAE Nationals Kumite Mens Open Weight 1st

2014
SKKIF Nationals Mens Team Kumite 3rd Yamakai Dojo
SKKIF Nationals Kata 20yrs+ Mens Dan Grade 3rd
SKKIF Nationals Kumite Senior Men 20+ Years Dan Grades 4th

2009
Yondan (4th Dan) – examiner Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa (SKIF)
England Team member, 10th SKIF World Championships, Athens
Times & Citizen Article

2008
2nd visit to Japan, JKR-UK Karate Tour & 19th WKF Championships

2007
SKIF National Examiner UK

June 28, 2020June 5, 2021

Stephen Marriott Karate Achievements (1985-2006)

In 1985 at the age of 11 I started shotōkan karate. I achieved shodan in 1993. I graduated two years later in 1995 from Luton University with honours (BSc Hons) degree in Computer Science Bachelor of Science.

I had success as a TASK Kumite, Kata and Teams Champion between 2000 to 2004. I was honoured to take my sandan in 2006 with Hirokazu Kanazawa Sensei. I was lucky to train at the Ryobukan JKR Hombu dojo in Tokyo, Japan under Konishi Soke II and to compete at the 9th SKIF World Championships.

2006
Sandan (3rd Dan) – examiner Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa (SKIF)
1st Visit to Tokyo, Japan – UK Team member, 9th SKIF World Championships

9th SKIF World Championship
Ryobukai Hombu, Japan

2005
Red Belt Nunchaku Kobudo (ETNA) – examiner Malcolm Phipps

2004
Kickpics Gallery feature
TASK Championships Team Kumite 2nd Cranfield University Club
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Championships Team Kata 1st

2003
TASK Championships Team Kumite 1st Cranfield University Club
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Championships Team Kata 1st

2002
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 1st Flitwick Club
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st

2001
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

2000
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

1999
Sandan (3rd Dan) – examiner John van Weenen (TASK)
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st

1998
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

1997
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 2nd
TASK Open Day Team Kata 3rd

1995
Nidan (2nd Dan) – examiner John van Weenen (TASK)
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 2nd

1994
TASK Open Day Team Kata 3rd

1993
Shodan (1st Dan) – examiner John van Weenen (TASK)
Club La Santa Iron-Man 2nd

1991
TASK Open Day 6th Kyu & above Mens Kumite 2nd

1990
TASK Flitwick Club Student Award

1985
Started Shotokan Karate