JKRUK FOUNDER MEMBERS COMMITTEE
Simon Oliver Sensei 7th Dan
My martial art journey started in 1966 as a child studying judo. My move to karate came in 1968 as a private student of Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei in Wado Ryu and Maeda Sensei via Pete Bell Sensei. I achieved shodan in 1972. My family moved to Doncaster and I switched styles to Shukokai - Shito Ryu, achieving nidan in 1975. Following a further move and a chance meeting with Terry O’Neill Sensei in Liverpool, I switched to Shotokan, which I carried on when I moved to Nottingham to go to University. I trained with Asano Sensei’s group but sadly due to the politics following the formation of the SKIF, I was forced to have a permanent foot in the KUGB camp. I started from scratch with the KUGB/JKA eventually taking all my grades to yondan with Enoeda Sensei. I took godan under Hazard Sensei who I hold in highest esteem.
I competed at regional, national and the international open circuit but retired from competition due to the demands of my occupation in the early 90’s. In the late 70’s my parents funded my first trip to Japan were I first met and trained with Yasuhiro Konishi Soke; it was not until many years later that I would realise the importance of this meeting. This was to lead to three further trips of extended stays and for many years an annual pilgrimage.
I was introduced to Yamazaki Kaicho by Terry O’Neill Sensei in the 1970’s and took every opportunity to train with him. He was so different in his approach and openness. In 2003 I made the personal decision to join the JKRI and form the JKRUK, it took a further three years to establish the group properly. I was honoured that most of my fellow Sensei and students decided to follow me.
I feel extremely privileged to have taken both my rokudan and nanadan under Yamazaki Kaicho. He has taught, advised, and guided me along the path I choose.
Today my role is primarily as the head instructor to the JKRUK, I sit on the Board of the JKRUK Founder Members Committee and I am part of the JKR IYEC
The JKRUK is now stronger than it has ever been but is entirely down the quality and commitment of the members and the Dojo-Cho’s. Thank you!
Wayne Smith 5th Dan
My karate training began in 1986 in England under Ron Silverthorne Sensei who was at the time the chief instructor for England JKR.
From 1987 I went to train with Yamazaki Kaicho at his dojo in Anaheim California for six weeks at a time on a yearly basis. At the age of 19yrs, I had the opportunity to develop my karate with Yamazaki Kaicho with a year’s sabbatical at the Anaheim Dojo and the privilege to meet many Shindo Jinen Ryu instructors.
In 1996 I had the honour to visit Venezuela for six months to train with Martin Materano Sensei the Technical Director of JKR-Venezuela. This was a tremendous help in both my personal and karate development.
Over the years I have supported the JKR internationally at events in Japan, USA and the UK. I have been lucky to attend many seminars with some of the JKR senior sensei such as Konishi Soke II, Yamazaki Kaicho and Mao Sensei, as well many other highly respected Sensei including, Demura, Enoeda, Kanazawa, Higaonna, Mikami, Miyake, Uchiage and Kubota.
During my time in karate I have received the following certification and awards;
• EKGB NVQ Instructor and judging licence
• Certified as Instructor of the JKR
• Certificate of Excellence for high performance in California U.S.A.
• Certificate of Excellence Karate in Venezuela
• 1st place at the Konishi Cup in Sweden for Team Kata August 2007.
• Senior Board member of the JKRUK Founder Members Committee
• JKRI Board Director until 2011
In 2004 and 2005 I had an opportunity to visit Okinawan, Japan, and train with Morio Higaonna Sensei the famous Goju-Ryu exponent.
I now teach alongside Marita Stolten-Smith in Crawley, England where we have been established for many years and continue to maintain contact and seek frequent opportunities to train with Yamazaki Sensei.
Alicia Tolhurst-Brown 4th Dan
Martial arts for me started in 1979 with Zen Chuan under the instruction of its founder Andre Doutre. This was a style with very similar aspects to Shindo Jinen Ryu with an element of Chinese Kick Boxing. After 13 years Doutre Sifu moved away and I went on to study Ju-Jutsu and Aikido for a few years before settling with Shindo Jinen Ryu.
Yamazaki Kaicho is truly one of the most inspiring martial artists I have ever trained with. His message of unity, training endurance and strong mind and spirit will always have a profound influence on my life journey.
In my early time with the JKR I enjoyed a flurry of tournament success both locally and nationally. However, it was always the practical and traditional side of Shindo Jinen Ryu that appealed to my martial art spirit.
In 1995 opened the Brighton Dojo. It was a great honour to soon after grade to Shodan with Konishi Soke II and Yamazaki Kaicho. It was in 2001 I was introduced to Simon Oliver Sensei; this meeting marked a new era for JKR in the UK. In 2003 Oliver Sensei was invited to head the UK and I became a member of the JKRUK Founder Member Committee alongside Wayne and Marita of the Crawley Dojo to help develop and establish a strong future for Ryobukai in the UK.
My dojo is an integral part of my life. I have always worked in schools, particularly for students with additional needs. My parents were foster carers throughout my childhood until my early 20s. This experience contributes to my understanding of our young students to firstly ensure that they enjoy their training, but also meet their needs to achieve not only in the dojo but also beyond our doors.
Our Brighton dojo offers a warm welcome to newcomers and experienced Martial Artists alike. We have students from 5 years into 70s and 80s. We truly have created a respectful and dedicated karate family. I have developed our Brighton dojo to be open minded, hardworking, and honest.
The student/teacher relationship is of equal proportions in our dojo. I feel very privileged and I am ever grateful for everyone's enthusiasm, support, and sense of fun.
I am fortunate to have many students who have trained a good 15/20 years with me now, including my Sempai's Jo Prowse and Callum Ware.
2020 marks 25 years since the Brighton dojo was established, and with over 40 years of personal exploration and dedication to martial arts, I have an unfaltering interest in learning and mastering techniques. Beyond anything, I wish to continue to share and enjoy the love of martial arts and the escapism that it brings.
Marita S. Smith 3rd Dan
In time served I am the longest continual member of the JKRI in the UK. I actually started training in Germany 1977 in Wado Ryu Karate under Teruo Kono Sensei. In 1979 I moved to England and joined the Sussex School of Karate (shotōkan) part of the AKA.
“Without a doubt, if it wasn’t for Marita’s organisation skills and kind generosity, Yamazaki Kaicho would not have come to teach in England, she was instrumental in the formation of what was to start the JKR presence in this country, for that we hold her our eternal gratitude” Simon Oliver Sensei 2020
At this time, the JKRI organisation had not yet reached England, until I met Yamazaki Kaicho on one of my trips to America and started training in Shindo Jinen Ryu.
I had the opportunity to introduce Yamazaki Kaicho to England in 1979-80, and I have been privileged to support his many visits to the UK enabling him to visit the now growing JKRUK dojos including my own in Crawley, where I teach alongside Wayne Smith.
I graded for shodan with the JKR in March 1984 and achieved sandan in October 1993.
In 1995 I started training with Nick Adamou sensei of the IFKS (Shotokan), and re-joined the JKR in 1997.
I have travelled around the world and trained with various instructors from Japan, South Africa, Venezuela, Okinawa, Tokyo, and China (where I studied Tai Chi). My first visit to Tokyo, Japan was in 1979, my first visit to the JKRI Hombu in Anaheim, USA was in 1980 and I first visited Naha, Okinawa in 1987.
Earlier in my karate career I entered many tournaments including;
• Kata Champion, South Coast 1986 + 1987
• 2nd place Kata South of England 1986 + 1987
• 7th place Kata Las Vegas Tournament, USA, 1989
• All Asian Martial Arts Games in 1993.
I have been lucky to attend many of the official JKR International events like the Konishi Cups;
• Valencia, Venezuela 1991
• Tokyo, Japan 1993
• Anaheim, USA 1995
• Tokyo, Japan 2001
• Brighton England, 2003
• Nassau, Bahamas, 2005
• Kalmar, Sweden 2007
As a qualified fitness instructor, receiving my pilates Instructor certification 2001 and completing my yoga instructor course in 2008, I enjoy helping my students train safely and take a holistic approach to their development. I am also a senior board member of the JKRUK Founder Members Committee where I still help guide the direction of our group.