Black Belts

Shihan Pete Wright – 6th Dan Black Belt

Shihan Pete Wright began training in Martial Arts in 1988, in the style Yamaguchi Goju-Kai

Grading History:

1993 Obtained 1st Dan Grade, under Sensei Ian MaGarity (5th Dan)
1996 Obtained 2nd Dan Grade, European Panel, Hanshi Goshi Yamaguchi (8th Dan) + 6 IKGA Shihans
1999 Obtained 3rd Dan Grade, under Sensei Mark Attfield (5th Dan)
2003 Obtained 4th Dan - European Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)
2008 Obtained 5th Dan Shihan - Technical Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)
2014 Obtained 6th Dan Shihan- Technical Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)

Sensei Simon Weaver – 5th Dan Black Belt

Sensei Simon Weaver started training in Martial Arts in 1990, in the style Yamaguchi Goju-Kai

Grading History:

1999 Obtained 1st Dan Grade,
2002 Obtained 2nd Dan Grade,
2007 Obtained 3rd Dan Grade, Technical Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)
2012 Obtained 4th Dan – Technical Panel AMA Masters (Shihans)
2018 Obtained 5th Dan - AMA Senior Upgrade

Sensei Bernard Mabey – 4th Dan Black Belt

Sensei Bernard Mabey started training in Martial Arts in 2000, in the style Goju-Kai

Grading History:

2007 Obtained 1st Dan Grade, under Shihan Peter Wright and Sensei Simon Weaver
2011 Obtained 2nd Dan Grade, under Shihan Peter Wright and Sensei Simon Weaver
2014 Obtained 3rd Dan Grade, under Shihan Peter Wright and Sensei Simon Weaver
2018 Obtained 4th Dan Grade, under Shihan Peter Wright and Sensei Simon Weaver

Sensei Phil Mann– 3rd Dan Black Belt

I have practised karate since 1985, mostly under Sensei Pat O’Keeffe in Modka Karate Jutsu, a practical fighting style comprising elements of karate (Inshin Ryu, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu & Kickboxing influences), Judo, Aikido, Ju-Jutsu and weapons. I gained my 1st Dan Black Belt in 1991 and achieved 2nd Dan in 1995.

Since January 2011, I have trained under Shihan Peter Wright in Goju-Kai Karate, and gained my 1st Dan in Goju-Kai in December 2012 and in 2014 I obtained my 2nd Dan Black Belt. My most recent achievement was taking my 3rd Dan Black Belt under Shihan Pete Wright.

Sensei Anne Sage – 2nd Dan Black Belt

I started training karate 9 years ago, under Yamaguchi Goju Kai, I achieved my 1st Dan in Hungary in 2011, and my 2nd Dan in Sardinia in 2016. I have competed in regional, Nationals, Europeans and world championships. I have won gold in Kata and fighting at regionals and nationals, also placed in team kata in Europeans and the worlds in India. I also teach karate in two schools. I have recently joined Shihan Peters karate club, and am thoroughly enjoying he's classes, I have found the other Sensei's and students very encouraging and they've all made me feel extremely welcome, and I feel very happy to continue my karate journey here.

Sempai Chris Andrews– 2nd Dan Black Belt

I started training with Sensei Pete, Simon and Bernie at the age of 16 in 2011. I achieved my first Dan in July 2014. Training with this club has been a big part of my life. I have always enjoyed karate and everything that entails, both physically and mentally, even when I'm playing the role of punch bag! The morals and attitude displayed by all Sensei and students are fantastic and mean I will be training for years to come.

Sempai Steve Antonie - 2nd Dan Black Belt

My journey started in 2009 when a comment passed by Sensei Pete got me thinking, the question to him was my daughter trained with you at Friars school now she has left can she join you club at Southchurch, his response was yes of course why don't you come too bring some joggers and a t-shirt join in you may enjoy it, nearly 6 years later I was presented with my 1st Dan Black belt by Sensei's Pete & Simon. It's been a tough but enjoyable journey with 3 amazing Sensei's in Pete, Simon and Bernie to guide me every step of the way. Shihan Pete runs a very respectable family club with a relaxed atmosphere his dedication to karate and attention to each and every student be it a white belt junior to a black belt senior is unprecedented. I am training hard for my 2nd Dan grading in the near future, I hope.

Sempai Buster Collins- 2nd Dan Black Belt

My earliest memory of Karate is Sensei teaching me how to bow. Back in 2007, I recall watching both Sensei Bernie and Shihan Pete teaching a 7-year old me the importance of bowing correctly. I remember the demonstration involved Sensei Bernie bowing incorrectly towards Shihan Pete and getting kicked in the face. Throughout Primary school I trained 3 times a week at my school, Friars. I also began attending Saturday sessions at the Ambleside club once I had reached 3rd Kyu, allowing me to further my ability with the help from all three Sensei, Shihan Pete, Sensei Simon and Sensei Bernie. Since secondary school I have continued to train at the Ambleside 4 days a week, and am now proud to say that I have now become the club’s second student to have reached 2nd Dan Junior.

Mark Bryson- 1st Dan Black Belt

Jack Webb- 1st Dan Black Belt

James Quigley– 1st Dan Black Belt

I started karate in 2008 with Sensei John Canon in the style of Wado-Ryu, which is different from Goju-Kai in both kata and technique. I trained at that club up to brown belt level, until the club relocated, and so I stopped training. After a break from karate, I joined Sensei Pete’s club in 2011 and converted to 3rd Kyu in the style of Goju-Kai. Since then, my training has come a long way and I passed my junior black belt grading in March 2015. Achieving my black belt has added a whole new aspect to my training and I hope to achieve my senior black belt later this year

Jack Long - 1st Dan Senior Black Belt

I started training at the age of six at an after-school club, attending regularly I knew karate was something that I enjoyed. A few years later at the grade of green belt I joined this karate club and since then learned many skills that without karate I never would have been able to do. Through the guidance of the Shihan and Sensei’s, I achieved my first Dan junior black belt July 2016, which is one of my proudest achievements. 10 years since I first started and it was definitely worth the effort.

Caven Govier- 1st Dan Senior Black Belt

Neil Scrivener - 1st Dan Senior Black Belt

Curtis Pettifer - 1st Dan Senior Black Belt

Tyler Alen- 2nd Dan Junior Black Belt

My name is Tyler Alen, I started karate when I was 5, Sensei Pete is a great teacher he's helped me to become a Black Belt, I am proud to where it around my waist. I prefer Kumite (fighting) to Kata because I feel like I am better at it, I've been to numerous competitions ,including Europeans and working towards the world championship in Dublin.

Zac Finnie- 2nd Dan Junior Black Belt

I started training in karate with Sensei Pete in 2009, in the style of Goju-Kai, at my primary school, Friars. I also train at Ambleside social club with Sensei Bernie and Sensei Simon and since leaving Friars to go to secondary school train there as often as I can to improve my performance and maintain fitness. I graded to Junior 1st Dan Black Belt in April 2014 which is one of my proudest achievements. I could not have achieved this without dedication and the support and training of the Sensei's and other students at the club. I like to compete in competitions and have done many at local, National, International and even completed at European level in 2013. I am very proud of all the medals and trophies I have won and will continue to do karate and competitions for years to come. It helps my confidence, discipline and focus and I appreciate all that the club has given me.

Aaron Webster- 2nd Dan Junior Black Belt

Zachary Uden- 2nd Dan Junior Black Belt

Charlotte Long - 1st Dan Junior Black Belt

After watching my older brother Jack achieve his yellow belt, I decided I too wanted to learn karate. I began in 2007 (aged 4) training at an after school club at my primary school until reaching red belt. In the summer of 2010 I moved clubs to Zanshin Ryu after receiving a flyer through the door. Since then I have grown at the club in ability and attitude training under Sensei Pete, Sensei Simon and Sensei Bernie. I have learnt many skills and developed my physical ability which has resulted in attaining my Black Belt (and finally catching up to my brother).

Madison Jeffrey - 1st Dan Junior Black Belt

I began Karate at the age of 6 doing 1 hour of Karate each week at Sacred Heart Primary school. By the time I reached my brown belt I realised I really wanted to be a black belt and so gave up my Saturday dance class which I had been doing for 5 years to concentrate on that goal. With my karate I have earned bronze and silver medals in a few competitions, competing in kumite, kata and bunkai events. The thing I enjoy most about karate is kata, especially kata class and practising kicks on the bags. I am extremely proud that I achieved my black belt at the age of 13 and now will help my brother and sister to hopefully gain theirs.

Izzy Cowell- 1st Dan Junior Black Belt

I began karate in September 2013 at the age of 6 at Thorpe Greenways school doing just 1 hour a week. I wanted to learn karate after watching the karate kid and loved the different moves he could do, the way he was taught to protect himself. My first grading was that winter and from there I increased my hours by attending the sessions held at the Ambleside social club.

Since then I have worked my way successfully through all my belts and in March 2018 I achieved my black belt 1st Dan. A very proud moment for me as it has been my dream for years.

I began competing in karate competitions February 2014 where I performed well & achieved a bronze medal in kumite. I then continued working hard, attending all AMA training sessions & more competitions & in June 2017 Sensei Pete informed me that id been chosen to become a member of the AMA karate squad. Again another very proud moment in my karate journey. I have since then won 1st place in kumite at the AMA National Championships in Manchester 2017.

In September 2017 I achieved 1st place in kata at the Toywakai Championships in Clacton. My future aspirations are to continue working hard, improving my skills to enable me to place in the World Championships.

Harley Jeffrey- 1st Dan Junior Black Belt

My name is Harley, I started karate when I was 5 yrs old after watching my sister Madison do it. I earned my black belt just before my 11th birthday, I got it young because I was lucky enough to double grade twice. I have entered a few competitions and won bronze and silver medals in Kumite, Kata and Bunkai events. I also have a Zanshin ryu commando spirit award from Sensei Bernie. My favourite part of Karate is kumite and I really love doing take-downs, one day I hope to take-down Sensei Pete again as I haven't done that since I was a white belt!.