|  | | Sensei Sylvester |
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| Instructor Profiles |
Sensei Sue Sylvester
4th Dan Shotokan Karate
I decided to start training in karate when my husband and three children had been at Flitwick Dojo for some weeks. Having been continually excluded from their conversation
about 'gedan barai' I was determined to join them -(i.e if you can't beat them etc) I also was heavily influenced by the mystical David Carradine of 'Kung Fu' fame!
So in March 1987 I started to train with Sensei van Weenen and found every aspect of the training so challenging that I started to train 4-5 times a week. Eventually my children faded away to do other things, but I carried on with grim
determination.
I graded to Shodan in September 1991 - amazingly, as my initial goal was green belt. Since then I have learned not to set myself goals where karate is concerned!
My Nidan grading was in 1994, and I attained Sandan in March 1998. I was graded by Sensei van Weenen and his Senior Instructors on all three occasions.
Also, I am fortunate enough to have been TASK Ladies Black Belt Kata Champion from 1995-2004 and have had some success competing in Ladies Kumite.
Running Cranfield University Club jointly with Sensei Marriott is extremely enjoyable and, like him, I am still training regularly and find Karate just as challenging as it was 16 years ago.
Sensei Stephen Marriott
3rd Dan Shotokan Karate
I became interested in Karate and Martial Arts after watching Bruce Lee films and Karate Kid in the early 80s. I started my training at TASK (Traditional Association of Shotokan Karate) at the age of 11 (1985). My instructors at the time were Sensei John van Weenen (Chief Instructor), Sensei Jane van Weenen and Sensei Barnet. After 7 years of hard training I went and took my black belt grading at the Honbu in Bedford and passed.
In 2004, after training with TASK for 19 years, I decided to join SKKIF. I train regularly on courses and squad sessions throughout the UK.
I have now been training for over 19 years and in November 2002 I opened my own club with Sue Sylvester at Cranfield University in Silsoe
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