Chief Instructor Richard Patrick
Senior Instructor Nick Rudelhoff
Beginning
I started karate at the age of 13 on 3rd March 1983, I practised my karate techniques in a room above the office of the London Transport Bus depot. My brown belt instructors cleared out the tables and chairs of the office so we had room to train.
My first grading was at Eastway Leisure Centre and this is where I first met Master Yoshi Shinohara 5th Dan.
Early Days
As a teenager I found lots to learn in every session, it was exciting and I could not wait for the next lesson. I realised how lucky I was to have so many knowledgeable karate instructors. I especially enjoyed attending events where we as a group would carry out karate demonstrations. These were happy days for me at the club, and I was constantly learning and developing. In later years I was privileged to be the fifth member of the men's kumite (fighting) team during our National Karate Annual Championships.
Black belt
I gained my black belt after 4 years of intensive training and I remember my Dad congratulating me as he had suggested I take up karate. This remains one of my proudest moments to date. I recall the intense physical preparation and revising the syllabus at every opportunity before each grading. Master Shinohara formed the BWKS Association 1987, and since then I rose to the level of 6th Dan. Each step allowed me to progress and develop both in skill, fitness and very importantly character.
Karate Clubs
I now run three well established clubs in East London, the first club was started in 1988. I encourage parents and family members of the students to support the clubs as we feel part of the local community.
Competitions
Kata was my strongest and I managed to win the boys under 15 placing in 1985. I further picked up many team kata positions throughout and got the Masters (over 50's) kata championship in 2017. I now train students for competitions and we regularly hold competitions at our dojo.
Master
Our Chief Instructor was Shihan Yoshi Shinohara 8th Dan, he was helpful to me growing up and all of my adult life. He set good values and showed me you conduct yourself in life. He would push me outside of my comfort zone, and I would achieve so much more, not even I knew what potential I had deep within myself.
He died in 2021, this was a real loss to the world of karate, our association and to myself.
Today
I am the appointed Chief Instructor for BWKS, working closely alongside Sensei Nicholas Rudelhoff 4th Dan. Senior Instructors continue to hold regular meetings and Master courses for continuity and to constantly maintain our high standards. Our courses, seminars and competitions are open to other like-minded Wado clubs and students.
Beginning
My motivation for starting Karate was originally from watching martial arts films and thinking I would love to mimic the incredible moves of the karate and kung-fu legends.
Early Days
My martial arts journey started in 1987, when my friend Neal and I joined our local wado-ryu karate club. The club was affiliated to Yoshi Shinohara as Shihan Chief Instructor of the BWKS.
Once I had started my training, I found I was very motivated by the discipline and respect I gained through karate. It gave me focus, confidence, fitness and agility which helped both inside and outside of the dojo.
During my journey, there were many ups and downs, but my training taught me to focus and retain a positive outlook which has seen me through these challenging times.
I believe that karate is not just a physical journey but also a mental one too. Having a positive approach in life has lasting benefits. The psychological skills I gained through my training also empowered me to start my own successful business many years ago.
When I first started my karate journey I would have never expected to be running a karate club. I feel privileged that I'm now able to teach and pass on the valuable knowledge and skills that I learnt from my previous instructors that taught my karate.
Through studying wado-ryu, my students are learning the meaning of karate-do, which combines martial arts, self-defence, sport and self-discipline.
I believe that all martial arts and combat sports have something to offer. Master Shinohara said, "there are many paths to the top of the mountain, the most important thing is the destination".
From observing my students, I can reflect on my own journey of karate and remember where I first started. Though I am now a Master, the journey of knowledge never ends, I continue to learn from our current Shihan Richard Patrick of the BWKS and other Wado Ryu Masters. Karate is endless and can always be improved upon.