I first started karate when i was 44 in 1987 at Secular hall, Humberstone Gate. My chief instructor was Sensei Tony Conroy. I started mainly for confidence and fitness but I became addicted to karate and it was the only thing that I wanted to do. I trained from 1987-1989 and progressed through the ranks and became 3rd Kyu (brown belt). Then I had the misfortune to injure myself through work. The injury was so bad I had to have a series of operations because I had discomfort in it when trying to train again. I was told to rest it by the doctors and did not want to risk it when training on it.

Then in 2001 GKR karate knocked on my front door and I started training again and gained my grades up to 3rd Kyu (brown belt). Then in 2004 I heard that Sensei Conroy was still teaching karate so I decided to go along to a class in Littlethorpe. I started training fully back with Sensei Tony and was able to keep my 3rd Kyu (brown belt) because I had already trained in this style of karate before. I kept training to the best of my ability and was rewarded with my 2nd Kyu during 2005 then I was graded to 1st Kyu mid 2006. My dream has always been to reach my black belt. On the 15/12/06 that dream came true I was so pleased. Between the period of 2004-2007 I have been training six times a week every week. (It just shows what hard work can do).