I started karate about 7 or 8 years ago, when the idea popped into my head and I searched and discovered Brixham Karate Club! I had tried martial arts when I was a child but didn’t get along with it, but as an adult in my 30s I felt ready and motivated to give it a try. I soon became hooked - the addiction of repeating and improving, while also learning new skills is still with me now and gets stronger each time I train. I loved getting a new belt after the gradings, and the next sessions were always the best as you have new things to practice! I gained my black belt in 2019 which is among the greatest achievements of my life, and I have my certificate framed and in pride of place on the living room wall.

I have always kept myself fit, I go to the gym regularly and run – but karate has added an extra motivation for keeping fit and doing certain exercises that benefit me for a purpose. My sons have been training for a couple of years now too and they really enjoy it, it’s a great thing to be able to do together. I qualified as an instructor in October 2022 and I have loved it – it’s such a good feeling to be able to help others to learn something I’m so passionate about, and to see them improve over time. Being an instructor has also helped me to improve in different ways as I can reflect on my own practice from a different perspective.

It sounds a bit cliché when people say that something is “for all ages and abilities” – but karate really is. It can benefit you at any age and for any reason, you can do it competitively or train to improve your strength and balance, or your confidence to be able to defend yourself, or all of the above! I can’t recommend it enough, and being under the KUGB you know it is well regulated with criteria to work towards as well as organized competitions and special training opportunities with some of the world’s best.