President:Â Dr Chris St John
Chris began training over 40 years ago in Judo under Hermin Harpur and Walter McFarland. He always had a keen interest in the self defence aspects of Judo and studied Jujitsu and Japanese weaponry (kobudo) in tandem
He began training in Aikido in 1989 under Jack Shanks and established the first Taihojutsu club in Northern Ireland with Lawrence McCormick and Jim Andrews. He was graded to black in taihojitsu by Brian Eustace.
He was the first sambo blackbelt in Northern Ireland and president of the Northern Ireland Sambo Federation. He established the first sambo clubs in Northern Ireland.
For many years he competed in Judo, wrestling and Sambo, but his heart remained in traditional budo techniques. In 2023 he was graded to 7th Dan by the IBF in Jujitsu.
Vice President: Dr Stephen Brown
Stephen began boxing in his teens and came to taihojutsu 25 years ago. He is a 3rd Dan in taihojuts and 3rd Dan in Jujitsu and a 2nd Dan in Aikido.
Vice President: Jim Andrews
Jim began training as a teenager in Judo before progressing onto shotokan Karate. He attained a blackbelt in aikido under Jack Shanks before grading to 1 Dan taihojutsu under Brian Eustace.
Jim competed in several sambo competitions as a veteran and is skilled in the Jo and boken. Having a keen interest in the self defense aspects of Judo he continues in the study of Jujitsu and Aikido.
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Competition Coach Karl St John
Karl has trained in Martial arts from the age of 4. He is president of the Northern Ireland Sambo Federation. He is skilled in Jujitsu (2nd Dan) and Aikido (2nd Dan).