I was born in China and arrived in England in 1959. I started practicing the art of fighting in the early 1960's beginning with Boxing, Wrestling, Judo and Kung Fu. In 1966 I joined Shotokan karate in the centre of Manchester within the Kita Nishi Kwan Judo club. The Karate club had a monthly visit from the great master Eneoda (head of KUGB), and I took my very first grading with him.


In 1969 I joined the Shukokai Karate Union headed by Sensei Roy Stanhope (one of England's first International competitors, Ex England Team manager, chief referee and British Coach.) During the early years I trained twice a week combined with private lessons from Sensei Stanhope, I was also fortunate enough to train with some of the well-known and highly respected instructors, amongst them were Stan Knighton (former Great Britain and England Karate international, Ex European Champion), Peter Consterdine, (former England and Great Britain international), Eddie Daniels, Eugene Codrington (former member of the British Team), Tommy Morris (the head of Scottish Shukokai), the late Danny Connor, Master Sken in Thai Boxing and Ticky Donovan (a renowned British Karate competitor and coach as well as former coach and manager of the British and English national team). Ticky Donovan and his Dan-grade panel graded me to 4th Dan.


I've also had the opportunity to train with many Japanese top Shukokai instructors, these include the late Master Tani (founder of Shukokai), Sensei Tomiyama, Sensei Nanbu (head of European Shukokai) and of course the late great Master Kimura who I trained with many times including a week full time in New Jersey USA, and eventually graded me to 3rd Dan. Master Kimura is the one who stands out in my mind whenever I think of Shukokai. My present grade is 7th Dan. I am the founder and chief instructor of Rising Sun Karate Association. I started my first club in 1973 and shortly after then I became a full-time Karate instructor and have been teaching Shukokai ever since.


I opened my purpose built Karate centre on Stand Lane, Radcliffe in 1998, which then became the new RSKA head quarters and I still teach at the old head quarters at Manchester Road Community Centre in Bury (opened in 1974)

I am the Assistant Chief Instructor with the Rising Sun Karate Association. I have been training for over twenty years in the art of Shukokai karate and in all that time I have been instructed by Tommy Kwan 7th Dan the founder of Rising Sun Karate.

1981	-	I started karate at the Longsight Community Center formerly known as Longsight Library.
1985	-	I passed my 1st Dan black belt – SHODAN grading.
1988	-	I passed my 2nd Dan black belt – NIDAN grading and opened my club at the Leigh Street School Gymnasium, Hyde
1992	-	I passed my 3rd Dan black belt – SANDAN grading.
1993	-	I passed my Examiners certificate.
1996	-	Awarded my 4th Dan black belt – YONDAN and received my Level 2 NVQ in Karate Instructing.
1997	-	I was part of the group that went to Tenerife for the Rising Sun Overseas course.
1998	-	I became the EKGB English Champion in the – 75kilos category. Held at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre. I later retired from competitive karate competitions in 1998. From this I obtained my Senior Instructors Award, 5th Dan award, 20 years service award.

Major Competitive Achievements

1982-	My first competition was the Greater Manchester Open, held at Bury Castle Leisure Centre.
1983-	2nd place at the Cumbria Open – Brown Belt
1987-	Rising Sun Inter-Club Black Belt Champion
1988-	Rising Sun Inter-Club Black Belt Champion
1989-	Rising Sun Inter-Club Black Belt Champion
1990-	1st place Westfield Open Tournament, Sheffield 2nd place AMA Nationals, Sheffield and was selected to represent the Amateur Martial Art Squad in Greece.
1991-	Member of the A.M.A squad which competed in Berlin, Milan & Las Vegas. 2nd place -75 kilos Freestyle Sport Karate Tournament, Manchester
1992-	1st place Black Belt -75 kilos Shindo-Kai Open Competition, Sheffield 1st place Shindo-Kai Open Competition, Team Event
1993-	1st place Shindo-Kai Open Competition, Team Event
1995-	2nd place Shindo-Kai Open Competition, Team Event
1998-	1st place EKGB English Championships -75 kilos, Birmingham.

It has been an honour for me to have been involved with R.S.K.A for all these years. I am now quite happy to pass on my teachings and experience to any of the members within Rising Sun.

I have had many experiences and emotions whilst being a karateka and I have no doubt whatsoever that it has made me a better person.

I would like give a quick mention to Sensei Gary Foxwell, one of the best fighters to come out of the North-West of England and Sensei Mike Fraser who I grew up with in Longsight, Manchester for all their encouragement over the years.

I would also like to thank Sensei Kwan for his time, commitment and dedication in helping me attain my grades and to be the karateka that I am today

I have practiced Karate for over 35 years and in that time have seen many changes both good and bad on the national and international scene. Rising Sun Karate Association is one of few things that has stayed consistent throughout those times, mainly due to the superb leadership of Sensei Tommy Kwan. The list of names that have progressed through his ranks are too many to mention. A list of which I am proud to say I am part of.

I am one of Sensei Kwan's longest training members/instructors and as a mentor he is an excellent example to any new instructor of what Karate leadership and Karate teachings should be. The ethos behind my teaching is strong repetitive Kihon (basic Karate training) which is the backbone to all basic and advanced Karate combinations. Without that there is no foundation to build upon. Self respect and respect for your fellow Karateka, discipline and hard training are all part of what makes for a good Senior grade and Dan grade.

Kata embodies all these methods of thought and training and as I tell all of my students, perfection should be your long term goal, which all Karate students must achieve.

The best part of being a Senior Instructor in Rising Sun, especially on our Instructors courses, is to look around at your fellow Karateka as they all strive for that perfection ….its a natural high.

I would also like to thank Wes Thomas who I have been friends with for many many years. Our friendship and mutual respect both in and outside the dojo has moulded us both personally and professionally …Thanks Wes.

Sensei Kwan thank you for your years of guidance and professional input into my Karate career. I know without you none of this would have been possible …Thank you Sensei

1988	-	1st Dan black belt
1990	-	2nd Dan black belt
1993	-	3rd Dan black belt Senior Instructor status and grading examiner
1994	-	Level 2 NVQ Karate instruction
1997	-	4th Dan black belt
2002	-	5th Dan black belt and long term service award to Rising Sun
2008	-	6th Dan black belt

Throughout these years I have actively competed, coached and refereed at many competitions resulting in many titles in Kata and Kumite and now pass on my experience to others to help them to develop life skills of their own

I joined the Rising Sun Karate Association in 1989. In 1993 I gained my Black Belt and qualified as an instructor.

In 1994 I founded Peel Shukokai Karate in Ramsbottom and in 1995 I gained my national coaching qualifications with the English governing body.

I started entering karate competitions in 1995 and competed at a national level for several years and also attended many kumite courses with the national team coaches Ticky Donovan, Wayne Otto and others.

In 1997 I gained my senior instructor and grading qualification.

In 2004 I trained in police self-defence and restraint techniques and also attended a couple of personal security courses.

In 2008 I was awarded my 5th Dan.

My strengths are in karate are kumite and self-defence.

Karate is a sport/activity that everyone can achieve in with the aim of bettering yourself both physically and mentally and gaining self confidence.

I began training in 1993 at the age of 25 at the Manchester Road Dojo in Bury. Coming from a completely none sporting background, Sensei Kwan`s instruction quickly got me hooked into martial arts training and I have never stopped.

I graded to 1st Dan in 1997 and have achieved every Dan grading in turn after that. I became a 5th Dan Senior Instructor in 2011.

After I achieved my 1st Dan I also started training in other martial arts, as I have little interest in competition awards. I have enhanced my skills by attending classes in Aikido, Jujitsu and Tai-chi. I trained in Iaido for three years and graded to 1st Kyu.

Over the years, I have attended many different martial arts and clubs and have never found one to be equal to the expert guidance and knowledge Sensei Kwan and the R.S.K.A. Senior Instructors can give.

I would like to encourage all students to find the inner meaning of their training. Do not neglect the mind while physically training the body. Many student miss this vital ingredient in their pursuit to becoming a better Karateka. Look to the past masters, you will find many examples of ordinary people becoming extraordinary because of their devotion to their martial art training.

I first took up Karate in 1986 taking my first grading in Shotokan. The training was hard and I lost 2 stone in weight in the first three months, training three times a week. Sadly, due to a location change I didn't take it any further.

A few years later some friends said they we going to join a Karate club and asked if I wanted to come along. By the 8th week my friends had dropped out, but I enjoyed the training and since Rising Sun had a number of Dojos, I found myself regularly training at Whitefield (before it relocated to Radcliffe), Bury and sometimes Oldham. Moreover, I would train in all of the lessons that day resulting in a minimum of 7 lessons a week. To say I was addicted to Karate would have been an understatement. By the time I reach 4th kyu, I knew the katas required for taking all of the gradings up to 3rd Dan. I have been training for over 20 years and I am still with same instructor, Sensei Tommy Kwan.

1994 - Shodan (1st Dan) and qualified Instructor
1999 - Nidan (2nd Dan)
2003 - Sandan (3rd Dan) and qualified Senior Instructor
2007 - Yondan (4th Dan)

About a year after passing my 1st Dan, a friend invited me to come and train at his Taekwondo club. My plan was not to take any gradings and just go for the extra training, but it wasn't long before I was convinced to start taking the gradings by the instructor and to progress through the grades. I have never been a fan of competitions and had turned down my instructors request to enter the ITF Scottish Taekwondo championship with the rest of the club. After several requests by the instructor and club members, I entered the power breaking section and came away with a gold medal. I enjoyed the experience, but it was the last competition I ever entered. My Karate training obsession during this time never stopped and after 18 months of doing both, my body was telling me it had had enough and I had to make a decision. To be honest, the decision wasn't hard as I wanted to grade for my 2nd Dan in Karate and I explained this to my Taekwondo instructor. I know he was disappointed and I hope he understood my decision.

Unfortunately, it took longer to prepare for my 2nd Dan due to work commitments and the odd injury. I nearly didn't take my grading owing to a very bad cold a week prior. I recovered in time, but I wasn't happy with my performance even though I passed. Three years later, another injury prevented me from taking my 3rd Dan seven weeks before the grading, but I recovered enough to take it the next time around . Again, I wasn't happy with my performance as the injury was still having an impact on me. The point I am trying to make is I pushed through and kept trying. Life is full of ups and downs and it is how you deal with them that counts. If you need to believe in something, believe in yourself.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to train under and assist Sensei Kwan for such a long time and I still get a buzz seeing beginners go from white belt to black and beyond.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many instructors and friends I have trained with over the years.

I thought about beginning training in 1995 having first watched my son Thomas who had already begun training a couple of weeks earlier. At first I just used the training for keep fit, but as Thomas and I progressed through the grades I started to realise that I was getting much more out of it.

Sensei Kwan is a superb martial arts instructor and treats everybody with respect and quickly gained my respect, even as an intermediate grade I was asked to assist in class and take warm ups etc which really gave me a buzz.

Having become a senior grade I enrolled on the trainee instructor courses and I was hooked!!

1998 - 1st Dan black and qualified instructor

2002 - 2nd Dan black belt

2005 - 3rd Dan black belt, Senior instructor and grading examiner

2009 - 4th Dan black belt

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the instructors who have helped out with Thomas and I over the years but especially Sensei Kwan who has inspired us over the 16 years of our training.

My introduction to Martial Arts came about in the early eighties when I joined a local Judo club in Bury. I trained there for about 6 months. In 1985, upon going to the University of Manchester, I joined their karate club where I began to train twice weekly during term time. The highlight used to be an end of term weekend course and grading by one of the top Japanese Karate Masters in the UK at the time. In fact my very first ever karate grading was with the renowned Wadu Ryu Master Mr.Tatsuo Suzuki, the then Head of Wadu Ryu in England. After University, my first job took me down to East Midlands where I joined a local Kung Fu/Kick Boxing club. I trained there for about 18 months. I came back to Manchester in early nineties. Upon return I joined Master Toddy’s gym in Newton Street, Manchester where I trained for about two and a half years, learning Thai Boxing and Taekwondo.

I joined Rising Sun Karate in 1995 and have been with them ever since. My record of achievement with rising Sun has been as follows:

1999 First Dan Black Belt
2000 Achieved Qualified Instructor status
2002 Second Dan Black Belt
2005 Third Dan Black Belt
2005 Promoted to Senior Instructor
2009 Fourth Dan Black Belt

Joining Rising Sun has been one of the best decisions I have made- It is a well run, family friendly club, and Sensei Kwan is an excellent teacher. Both of my sons have been part of Rising Sun family. One of my ambitions is to see them get to Black Belt standard, hopefully soon.

Apart from fighting skills, karate teaches you the virtues of patience, perseverance and self discipline. I also feel karate is about developing yourself by continuous learning and sharing of knowledge. After so many years of training, I feel there is still a lot to learn and to share.

After practicing Taekwondo as a youngster, I started training in Shukokai Karate with Rising Sun in 1994. Having achieved 1st Dan black belt in 1999 I set my targets on kata competition, and after finishing outside the medal positions in some early competitions I managed to medal in a number of competitions between 2001 and 2005. A knee injury while training for my 3rd Dan in 2005 put an end to further competition. After surgery in 2005 and 2006 I returned to training in 2007 although a number of upper limb injuries restricted my training. In November 2008 I finally achieved 3rd Dan which remains my most memorable moment in karate.

Words of advice:

• Always have an adequate warm up and cool down when training, particularly as you get older.

• Work hard and persevere – it will provide rewards


Key competition achievements:

AMA North west Open, 2001 - 3rd place Kata

Northern Open 2002 - 1st place Kata

Northern Open Classic, 2004 - 1st place Kata

Northern Open Classic, 2005 - 3rd Place Kata

I began training at Rising Sun in 1999. The idea of karate had never appealed to me until I watched a training session after my eldest daughter (Michelle) had shown an interest in learning karate. My first training session had me hooked, looking down the line at the black belts I remember thinking... "I will never be that good!"..., 4 years of dedication and hard work later, I achieved the dream & became a Rising Sun Dan Grade. An accolade that I am very proud of.

Rising Sun Karate Association is a family orientated club. Both of my daughters practice karate under the watchful eye of Sensei Kwan. Michelle has achieved her 2nd Dan Black Belt, Abigail (my youngest) has gained her 1st Dan Black Belt. They are extremely proud of their association with Rising Sun and are secure in the knowledge that they have gained one of the hardest Black Belts of any association. Both have gained confidence and abilities that will help them throughout adulthood.

Karate really has taken over my life and it has become an ethos during my daily routine. I am always eager to learn through training, reading and studying. Karate is a way of life, you get back what you put in & the more paths that you take, the more doors open.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the instructors at Rising Sun for taking the time to train me so professionally and for taking me on a wonderful journey of self discovery.

I started training in 1994 when I was 4 years old. At the age of 8 I became the youngest 1st Dan Black Belt in our association’s history. In 2004 I successfully graded for my 2nd Dan Black Belt and was also given the honour of being student of the year. I achieved my 3rd Dan Black Belt in 2008. At the age of 21, in 2011, I was officially confirmed as a Senior Instructor.

I am very proud of all my achievements within Rising Sun and I also know that none would have been possible without the many friends I have trained with over the years. Thank you to anyone who has taught, trained with or helped me in some way throughout the years. Also a big thank you to Sensei Kwan for teaching and inspiring me over these past 16 or so years.

And finally a big thank you also to Sensei Phil Briscall (my dad) who has been there through all the gradings and lessons etc and has always supported me through the past 21 years, both inside and outside the Dojo.

I took up karate in early 1999 having turned 40 and suffering a mid-life crisis!

In May 2003, I passed my 1st Dan Black Belt grading at the first attempt and later that year I passed my Instructor's qualification. Since then I have helped Sensei Tucker run the Ramsbottom club, taking the Thursday Night and Saturday classes.

I passed my 2nd Dan Black Belt grading at the first attempt in May 2005.

In November 2005, I unfortunately became very ill with continuing related health problems which so far is preventing me achieving the level of fitness required to take my 3rd Dan. I am improving and providing my body holds together long enough, I will get there!

I still enjoy every aspect of my karate and continue to teach and train under Sensei Mike Tucker at the Peel Shukokai Karate Club in Ramsbottom and under Sensei Kwan in Radcliffe.

My first experience with Karate was in my twenties, when I joined a local Shotokai Karate Club. I trained for four years until a change in my work circumstances caused an enforced break.

In 2004, I returned to martial arts and joined the Rising Sun Karate Association, primarily training under Sensei Kwan at the Radcliffe Dojo. Since then I have achieved my second Dan and become an RSKA qualified instructor. I would like to extend my thanks to both Sensei Kwan and all the other instructors who have helped me on the journey. My main interests are kata and self-defence, although I find every element within the syllabus to have a positive impact both in the dojo and in other areas of my everyday life.

I first started Karate in the mid 1980’s when I used to take my son to the Rising Sun club. Our attendance was sporadic and after two or three years we stopped going. At the age of 49 and due to health reasons (high cholesterol) I decided I needed to take some action to keep fit.

Having tried numerous gyms and not feeling motivated, I opted to try Karate once more. One of the major factors that kept me going was the group training motivation. In Karate, differently from gyms, you work in groups encouraging each other.

When I first started training I had no intention or illusions of reaching black belt. However, as my fitness levels improved and my enjoyment of the sport increased, my goals changed from the purely health motives to a deeper interest in the martial arts. At the age of 54, I obtained my 1st Dan grade black belt.

Achieving a black belt was extremely challenging and I thought I would never be able to better this level. Seven years later, I took the decision that I wanted to push myself harder. Finally, in 2011 after eight months of intense training and an incredibly difficult grading, I successfully attained my 2nd Dan grade at the age of 61 and hence becoming the oldest black belt 2nd Dan in the association. Earlier in the same year, I passed my instructor examinations.

Most people start the martial arts at an early age, whereas I began quite late on. Many people feel Karate is only suitable for younger people and not an appropriate form of exercise for the more mature person looking to improve health and fitness. I am a real example that anybody can start Karate at any age and fitness condition, because you develop and progress at your own pace. I would encourage anyone of any age to consider Karate as a safe and suitable form of exercise to improve their health and fitness levels.

I started training at Rising Sun Karate in June 2005 with the original aims to keep fit and learn self defence.

I took my first grading in September 2005 when I achieved my 8th Kyu yellow belt to my great satisfaction. Following lots of hard work, training and dedication through the coloured and brown belt gradings, I achieved my 1st Dan Black belt in November 2009. In July 2010, I completed my final instructor courses and exams and became a qualified instructor for the Rising Sun Karate Association. My next target is to achieve 2nd Dan Black belt.

Some of the things I enjoy about the Association is the variety in the syllabus, the quality and breadth of experienced instructors, the friendly and welcoming Dojos and the support for all students of all abilities, ages and backgrounds.

I started Karate training with Sensei Kwan in 2005, with the sole intention of getting my son involved – not myself! After that first lesson I was hooked and have never looked back. It takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to progress through the grades, but the sense of achievement upon passing each grading is the driving force needed to push you on.

In 2009 I achieved my 1st Dan black belt. However this joy was surpassed by the immense pride of seeing my son pass his 1st Dan on the same day! I became a Qualified Rising Sun Instructor in 2010 and am now training in preparation of my next hurdle – 2nd Dan.

From day one the guidance and support offered by the instructors and Dan grades of the RSKA has been second to none. I would like to thank all of those who helped me along the way, particularly when I needed that extra push to prepare me for the Dan grading.