All our club instructors are required to:
Undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.
Under go formal training in:
- Methods of instruction/coaching techniques.
- Child protection/safeguarding.
- Health and safety.
- Equality and diversity.
- First Aid.
Just click on the name of an instructor to find out more.
Dr Mohi Chowdhury - Chief Instructor (5th Dan in Karate-do & Kobudo)
Mohi has been training in martial arts for approximately 30 years. The gorei (instruction) he has received spans the following arts:
- Karate-Do
- Kobudo (Bo, Jo, Tanto, Bokken/Bokuto, Katana)
- Wing Chun Kung Fu
- Jeet Kune Do
- Kali Escrima
- Tai Chi
- Aikido
He humbly and gratefully acknowledges the teaching he has kindly received from the following Masters:
Stephen McGlinchey Sensei: a practitioner for more than 40 years standing who was awarded his black belt in 1972 by Harada Sensei himself, the Head of Karate-do Shotokai International and currently a 5th Dan Shotokai Karateka. McGlinchey Sensei is now the Senior Coach of Glasgow Karate-do Shoto Association.
William ('Billy') Haggerty Sensei: a former Karate-do Shotokai (KDS) 5th Dan and Examiner under Harada Sensei. Haggerty Sensei then left in 1987 to form the Shoto Budo. He currently holds the rank of 5th Dan (5th Meijin) in Shoto Budo.
Mitsusuke Harada Sensei: a practitioner of over 60 years standing. Harada Sensei was awarded his 5th Dan in 1956 directly by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), commonly reputed as the "founder of modern karate-do", and has also trained with notable karateka such as Master Shigeru Egami (Master Funakoshi's successor as Head of the Japanese Shotokai, 1912-1981) and Master Genshin Hironishi (Master Egami's successor, 1913-1999). Harada Sensei is currently recognised as the Head of Karate-Do Shotokai (International) for the world (the international wing of the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai, ie. the original Japanese Shotokai body established by the founder of Shotokai Karate-do).
Masashi Minagawa Sensei: a 5th Dan and Examiner under Aoki Sensei (who was the former senior assistant to Egami Sensei). He was a member of the former Rakutenkai. Minagawa Sensei is now the Master Instructor of Shintaido for the United Kingdom.
O'Sensei (5th Dan)
Founder of the Japanese Shotokai Body
Directly trained and awarded ranks to:
5th Dan Shotokai Practitioner of nearly 70 years
UK representative of Nihon Karate-do Shotokai (Japan)
Directly trained and awarded ranks to:
5th Dan Shotokai Practitioner for 40-50 years
Student of Harada Sensei for 20-30 years
Directly trained and awarded ranks to:
5th Dan Shotokai Practitioner for approximately 30 years
Student of McGlinchey Sensei for 20-30 years
Mohi Chowdhury has taught for many years both children's and adult's classes alike in Glasgow, under the guidance of Stephen McGlinchey Sensei. On moving to London, and with McGlinchey Sensei's kind permission, Mohi Chowdhury had subsequently launched the London Karate-do Shoto Association, incorporating both a children's karate club and adult classes. He holds the rank of 5th Dan, the highest grade possible in the Martial Arts of Shotokai Karate-do and Kobudo.
Miss Lorna MacLean - Senior Instructor (4th Dan in Karate-do & Kobudo)
Lorna has been training in martial arts for 15-20 yrs. She has practiced the following arts:
- Karate-Do
- Kobudo (Bo, jo, bokken, tanto)
- Jeet Kune Do
- Kali Escrima
She has received teaching and guidance from the following:
Stephen McGlinchey Sensei: as described above.
Mohi Chowdhury Sensei: as described above.
Mr Rick Young Sensei: a practitioner since 1975, he has been an instructor in Jeet Kune Do (the art developed by Bruce Lee), Jun Fan Gung fu ('Kung fu' to the lay person) and the Filippino Martial Arts (e.g. Kali Escrima) for 10-15 years. His instructorship credentials have been awarded by Sifu Dan Inosanto, Sifu Larry Hartsell, Sifu Paul Vunak. He has also attained 2nd Dan (Black Belt) level of proficiency in Karate-do and 1st Dan in Judo.
Lorna has taught for many years both children's and adult's classes alike in Glasgow, under the guidance of Stephen McGlinchey Sensei. On moving to London, she subsequently joined the London Karate-do Shoto Association to continue her teaching and training under Mohi Chowdhury. She currently holds the rank of Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt).
Mr Anish Aggarwal - Senior Instructor (3rd Dan in Karate-do)
Anish started his Shotokai training under the late Vincent 'Vinnie' Strachan (5th Dan, Shotokai) in Maidenhead. He subsequently continued his development with Les Lacey (5th Dan, Shotokai/Shoto Budo under Billy Haggerty, described above) and later joined London Karate-do Shoto Association to continue training under Mohi Chowdhury.
Although Anish regards Shotokai as his 'home' style, he has also practiced with various shotokan groups, ranging from JKA to Kase-ha Ryu, training with full-contact, mixed martial arts and non-contact groups. He is interested in researching kata, mainly taking the direction from the writings of Shigeru Egami. He currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt).
Ms Fiona Duff - Senior Instructor (2nd Dan in Kobudo)
Fiona started her kitaido practice in 1986 and is a Kitaido Instructor and 2nd Dan in Bohjutsu. She is a practicing acupuncturist and shiatsu therapist and has taught Kitaido and shiatsu in Israel, France and England. She is interested in the link between movement and bodywork to help and facilitate change and healing. She came to LKDSA in 2010 as a visiting instructor in kobudo.
Mr Jim Binks - Instructor (2nd Dan in Karate-do)
Jim has trained in 3 styles : Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan and Shotokai. Won the Scottish University Team Kumite Championship in 1984. Trained with many amazing role models including Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda, Sensei Leonard Roy, Sensei Ronnie Watts, Dan Inosanto, Guru Rick Young, Sensei Stephen McGlinchey and of course Sensei Chowdhury. He currently leads the Shotokai Karate-do group in South London.
Mr Carlos-Miguel Garcia-Jane - Instructor (1st Dan in Karate-do & Kobudo)
Carlos started practicing karate at the age of thirteen. He has trained in several martial arts such as Kyokushinkai Karate-do, Muay Thai and Kick Boxing with Sensei Chinto Mordillo. His interest for the tradition led him to Shito-ryu Karate-do under Sensei Santiago Cerezo, and Jiu-Jitsu. Today Carlos studies Shotokai Karate-do at the London Karate-do Shoto Association where he was awarded the rank of 1st Dan (black belt) in 2009.
Mr Sergey Garibian - Assistant Instructor (1st Dan in Karate-do & Kobudo)
Sergey started practising karate at LKDSA in 2004. In addition, he also teaches and is well versed in 'free running'. He was awarded Shodan Ho (1st Dan adult black belt) in 2011, the youngest person ever to achieve this in the club's history. He helps to run the Cupcake class as well as assisting the senior teachers in Marylebone.
Mr Eduardo Guasque - Assistant Instructor (3rd Kyu)
Eduardo started practising karate at LKDSA in the summer of 2006, it was his first contact with martial arts.
Already on his 30's and looking for flexibility and agility, he visited four other clubs before coming to LKDSA
and discovering in shotokai the match for his aspirations and much more.
Now after 4 years, Shotokai Karate-do is part of his life. He currently holds the rank of 3rd Kyu and acts as Assistant Instructor,
other than being the Events Officer and Webmaster for the LKDSA.
Mr Chakir El Hajame - Assistant Instructor (2nd Kyu)
