Paul Murphy Sensei

I began my training in 1987 a late starter having worked abroad for most of my life and upon seeing a new local karate group being advertised in Merseyside, I came to meet up with Senseis D'arcy and Young. Like most newcomers I wouldn't know Karate from Kung Fu but after all these years I know that I was very lucky to find the right club first time around. Upon attaining my 1st Kyu I left Merseyside to live and work in Birmingham. Looking for clubs that could offer me the same level of quality of training, I trained with the KUGB and EKO attaining my Shodan in 1995.

Shortly after this I made the decision that many Dojos that I had trained in lacked the spirit and attitude that I had found to be a requisite with Chikara and I formed two clubs in Birmingham. Under the Chikara Kai banner the club formed closer links with Chikara Merseyside and we went on to be very successful in club and national competition.

I attained Nidan in 1998 with the to Sandan. In December 2003 I affiliated myself and my clubs with the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS), who we are now proud members of and shall remain.

My decision to take the JKS path was formulated after my initial visit to Japan in October 2003. I spent 17 days travelling around Japan and also Okinawa. Whilst in Tokyo I visited and trained at the JKS Hombu Dojo where I was taught by Sensei Inada, a Hombu Dojo Instructor and graduate of the famous JKS instructor's course.

My links remain with traditional Karate-Do and continue to train with prominent Japanese instructors such as Sensei's Kagawa, Yamaguchi, and all the other Hombu Dojo Instructors returning again this January 2008 for Kangeiko (cold training). I also regularly attend JKS courses and seminars with Sensei's Scott Langley and Alan Campbell of the JKS GB and Ireland.