BRITISH WADOKAI
Black-Belts and Instructors
Founder & History of Wado-ryu Karate-do
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British Wadokai Southwest.
 Chief Instructor, Gary E Swift 7th Dan.
Gary Swift was born in Leigham Terrace, Plymouth, Devon, in 1956. He started his martial-arts training at the early age of 10 at his junior school at Laira Green.
His first taste of martial-arts was learning the popular systems, at that time, of Ju-jutsu and Judo.
After a move to Prince Rock Senior School he was also introduced to the skills of Thai-boxing (known then as Kickboxing) by one of his gym teachers.
Upon his arrival to the South of England in 1972, from Liskeard, he started Wado-ryu Karate in Guildford and Bisley (Surrey), under his most influential Instructor Mick Rapley (5th Dan), in 1974 (affiliated to the United Kingdom Karate Federation (later to be known as the United Kingdom Karate-do Wadokai)).
Regular Japanese instructors at this time included Suzuki Tatsuo Hanshi, Maeda Tadayuki Sensei, Shiomitsu Masafumi Sensei and Kobayashi Katsumi Sensei.
From this day onwards he studied numerous other forms of Karate, as well as Shorinji-kempo, Muay-Thai, Malaysian Taekwondo (Thoi-kuen-do), Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, various weapons systems, and a variety of other Japanese, Korean, and Chinese martial-arts.
Today he is holder of numerous titles and ranks in martial-arts including 7th Dan in Wado-ryu Karate, 2nd Dan in Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, and 1st Dan in Malaysian Taekwondo. He has over 30 years teaching experience and over 40 years (including international) training experience.
He is the Founder-President of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWA est. 1982), and Chief Instructor to the British Wadokai Karate-do Federation.
He is also a registered member within the Japanese Karate Federation (JKF-Wadokai).
Gary Swift Kyoshi has also had the honour of training, and being graded, under Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin 10th Dan (founder of Wado-ryu) in 1976. Other instructors have also included the famous: Tomiyama Keiji 7th Dan Shihan (Shito-ryu), Hoi Hean Thow 7th Dan (Thoi-kuen-do, Tong-long, Bo-jutsu, Escrima), Dr. Julian S Lim 8th Dan (Hapkido, HoSin-sul).
His return to Plymouth, in July 2004, has allowed him to open new clubs and build a new South-western based organisation, Wadokai Southwest, under the British Wadokai banner. |
Cranleigh Hakutsuru Karate Club
 Ian Hunter 6th Dan.
Ian Hunter began Wado Ryu under the direction of Sensei Gary Swift and Sensei Mick Rapley at twelve years of age.
Ian has applied much of his background knowledge of health and safety issues to help make training in martial arts safer for all involved. He has spent many years researching numerous scientfic studies, some of which have been found to have practical benefits for martial arts students. These are often made the theme of his training sessions. |
Cranleigh Hakutsuru Karate Club
 Jim Taylor (4th Dan) Tashi.
Jim started training in July 1992 at the age of 37 as the result of seeing his kids enjoying karate and thought 'why not give it a go?'
Jim went on to attain his 1st Dan in September 1997, 2nd Dan in September 1999, his 3rd Dan in September 2002 and his 4th Dan on the 30th March 2008.
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Cranleigh Hakutsuru Karate Club
 Liz Bulley 2nd Dan.
Liz has been training since November 1992. She attained her 1st Dan in September 1997 and her 2nd Dan in September 1999.
Liz has two daughters who are both green training at the club. |
British Wadokai Southwest.
 Nick Fowle 2nd Dan.
I started Wado-ryu karate in the late 1970's at Horsham Karate Club under Sensei Bill Bishop (4th Dan) whose dedication & infectious enthusiasm was an inspiration to us students. At this time we also visited & trained at Suzuki Tatsuo (8th Dan) Hanshi's club in London and attended summer &winter courses (instructors included Suzuki, Shiomitsu, Sagasawa & others).
Having progressed to brown belt, work commitments prevented me from regular club training & I was forced to take time out.
I restarted training in the mid 80's but unfortunately by this time Bill Bishop had sadly passed away (a real loss to Wado-ryu).
I joined another Wado club in Horsham (starting from white belt again) run by Sensei Paul Elliott (SEMKA) then 3rd Dan. Our Chief Instructor at that time was Mick Rapley (5th Dan) Sensei, who was succeeded by my most influential instructor Gary Swift (7th Dan) Saiko-Shihan.
I was eventually awarded my black belt in Sep 1993 by Sensei Gary Swift. The day started with the exam, followed by the grading, followed by a hard 4hr training session. We were absolutely shattered but it was well worth it.
In 1998 work commitments again seriously interfered with training & I decided to leave the club.
In 2002 I retired from the Police Service (after 30 yrs+) & we moved to Tavistock, Devon. I took a part-time job & although I'm always busy, I now had more control of my time. I realised that although life was pretty good I missed training & learning karate. On searching the net for Wado-ryu Plymouth area, low & behold to my surprise Gary Swift Sensei had moved to Plymouth from Surrey (via Bodmin). In December 2005 I surprised him, Zoë & myself by making another comeback.
Although in my 50's I'm thoroughly enjoying my return. |
British Wadokai Southwest.
 Fallon Rayman 2nd Dan.
Fallon Rayman is that rare example of what happens when a young athlete with a natural talent receives the best training, support and opportunities. They shine.
Fallon began training for basic self defence one hour a week at her local sports centre. Superb training opportunities have seen Fallon's exceptional natural ability in Karate developed rapidly. Her debut on the competition circuit resulted in her becoming British Champion in her class in both the Kata (form) and Kumite (free fighting) sections.
From a modest beginning Fallon has quickly gained a vision of where she wants to be in Karate in 10 years time. She has the determination, talent, spirit and support to carry her through.
As a member of British Wado Kai Karate (BWK), and the Japanese Karate Federation (JKF-Wadokai), under the guidance of the Chief Instructor Gary E Swift 7th Dan, she has the freedom and opportunity to pursue her aims.
Gary Swift writes: "Fallon has the ability to look at both sides of the coin and trains exceptionally hard with equal tenacity. She has excelled, and still excels, in the tournament circuit, which seems to show no bounds. While, at the same time, she is level-headed and enjoys the benefit and fulfilment of the traditional aspects of Wado-ryu Karate."
Fallon's club, British Wadokai, is directly affiliated to the National Governing Body of Wado Karate, the British Wado Federation (BWF), which is affiliated to the International Wado Federation (IWF); which has also opened up huge opportunities for her future. |
British Wadokai Southwest.
 Richard House 3rd Dan. |
British Wadokai Registered Member Yudansha (Black-Belt) 2008
Allcard, Sally 1st Dan
Archer, Barry 5th Dan
Arnold, Henry 1st Dan
Baldock, Robbie 1st Dan
Beck, Graham 1st Dan
Beet, David George 2nd Dan
Bell, Deborah 1st Dan
Brown, Mark 1st Dan
Bulley, Elizabeth 2nd Dan
Burri, Haran 1st Dan
Byrne, Andrew 1st Dan
Caillaud, Mickaël 1st Dan
Calder, Doug 1st Dan
Carson, Kristian 1st Dan
Chant, Edwin Arthur 1st Dan
Charnaud, James 5th Dan
Charron, Marc 1st Dan
Chatfield, Connor 1st Dan
Chok Tourle, Daniel 1st Dan
Clancey, Nick 1st Dan
Clarke, Steven 1st Dan
Claudio, Artusi 7th Dan
Connolly, Peter 1st Dan
Covey, Andrew 2nd Dan
Crocker, Howard 3rd Dan
Dean, Benjamin 1st Dan
De Fries, Roger 4th Dan
Dimelow, Jamie 1st Dan
Dupeé, Mark 2nd Dan
Eade, Mirella 1st Dan
Edmunds, William 1st Dan
Edwardes, Daniel 1st Dan
Elliott, Paul 6th Dan
Etheridge, Mark 1st Dan
Fairgreaves, Peter 1st Dan
Fletcher, Karen 3rd Dan
Flynn, Mark 1st Dan
Fowle, Nicholas 2nd Dan
Gawne, Scott 3rd Dan
Glover, Zeb 3rd Dan
Gosling, Jason 1st Dan
Gouveia, Paulo, Escorcio 1st Dan
Granthom, David 1st Dan
Grayson, Mike 1st Dan
Green, Daniel 1st Dan
Harney, Scott 1st Dan
Harper, Jonathon 1st Dan
Harris, Nigel 1st Dan
Harrison, Jeremy 1st Dan
Hart, Gary 1st Dan
Hazelden, Keith 1st Dan
Hoare, Gordon 6th Dan
Holder, Gary1st Dan
Holtom, David 5th Dan
Horsley, Kenton 1st Dan
House, Richard 3rd Dan
Hunter, Ian 7th Dan
Jarvis, Derry 1st Dan
Jonker, DJ 1st Dan
Jordan, Richard 1st Dan
Karageorgevitch, George 1st Dan
Karageorgevitch, Linda 2nd Dan
Karageorgevitch, Michael 1st Dan
Larking, Rodney 1st Dan
Legg, Elizabeth 1st Dan
Limb, David 3rd Dan
Luckhurst, Ken 3rd Dan
Luckie, Stephen 1st Dan
Luscombe, Erik 2nd Dan
Mansfield, Les 5th Dan
Matthew, Sandra 1st Dan
Maxwell, Scott 1st Dan
McGyll, Adam 1st Dan
Mitchell, Paula 4th Dan
Neale, Martin 1st Dan
Norman, Steven 1st Dan
Olender, Joanna 2nd Dan
Osborn, Brian 3rd Dan
Page, Andrew 1st Dan
Penney, Stephen 1st Dan
Peters, John 1st Dan
Proulx, Cathy 1st Dan
Rapley, Michael 6th Dan
Rayman, Fallon 2nd Dan
Robathan, Jodie 1st Dan
Robathan, Sam 1st Dan
Rosen, Daniel 1st Dan
Sampson, Kieran 1st Dan
Singleton, Neil 1st Dan
Skinner, Tim 1st Dan
Swift, Gary 7th Dan
Swift, Zoë 4th Dan
Tamas, Frank 1st Dan
Taylor, James 4th Dan
Taylor, Lenka 1st Dan
Teichmann, Oren 1st Dan
Thompson, Ian 1st Dan
Thow, Hoy Hean 8th Dan
Topley, Steven 1st Dan
Wadham, Brian 1st Dan
Wakefield, Dominic 1st Dan
Walder, Mark 4th Dan
Webb, Philip 1st Dan
Williams, Peter 1st Dan
Winch, Timothy 1st Dan
Woodason, Dean 2nd Dan
Young, Alan 1st Dan
Young, Donald 1st Dan
Young, Mike 1st Dan
Young, Timothy 1st Dan |
Club Yudansha Group 1996
 | | Pictured from left to right: HRH Prince Michael Karageorgevitch (1st Dan), Will Edmunds (1st Dan), HRH Princess Linda Tomislav Karageorgevitch (2nd Dan), Gary Swift (7th Dan), Ian Hunter (6th Dan), Gordon Hoare (5th Dan), HRH Prince George Karageorgevitch (1st Dan). |
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