Sensei Valman first started training back in 1977 at the Chingford (BJA) Judo club. At 14 he watched a demonstration by Enoeda Sensei and decided after that to join the (KUGB) Karate Union of Great Britain, he started his journey both in Marshall Street, the Oasis Sports Centre and Seymour Leisure Centre in London, under Enoeda Sensei and Ohta Sensei, plus many other KUGB and JKA instructors.
During the 80's he travelled up and down the country training with other clubs, like the Red Triangle in Liverpool and Kawasoe Sensei in Shepherds Bush, plus over the years, he travelled around the world to spend time and train with some of the best instructors he could find to enhance his own training and knowledge, these included: Yamazaki Sensei, Kanazawa Sensei, T.Okuyama Sensei, Kagawa Sensei and many more.
Sensei has taught at numerous clubs around the world, he has also studied other martial art styles and systems, training and teaching in many top clubs in the UK, Europe and beyond.
He was awarded his 6th Dan back in 2017 under a senior group of instructors and signed by Hanshi Jo Biggs at the farm. In 2024 Sensei was awarded his 7th Dan from the World Kobudo Association for time spent in commitment to training, teaching and dedicating his time over many years working in specialist schools with children and adults.
Sensei also holds Dan grades in Shotokai Karate, Judo and has extensively studied Jujitsu, Kempo and other styles of Karate. With his many years of experience, Sensei started teaching full time back in 2001.
SKDA INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Valman 7th Dan
Sensei Ramlakhan 5th Dan
Sensei Ramlakhan started training in Shotokan Karate Jitsu under Sensei Ray Keeble in the Walthamstow Karate Ryu Dojo, part of the World Kobudo Federation in 1998. He was trained in practical Karate, Japanese Jujitsu and Okinawan weapons, and trained intensely to achieve the rank of Shodan black belt in 2001.
Today Sensei teaches practical Karate and Self-Defence. He has spent many years expanding his knowledge with additional training in Ishin Ryu Karate, Aikido, Ju Jitsu and Shotokai Karate.
He joined the SKDA in 2003, becoming a club instructor in 2005. He earned his 2nd Dan in 2007, 3rd Dan in and 4th Dan in 2019. After being assessed over a one-year period, he received his 5th Dan in 2024.
In addition to Karate, Sensei Ramlakhan has also trained in KAPAP and Krav Maga (self-defence) and is a qualified Level 4 Senior instructor within the British KAPAP Association, part of the Global KAPAP Network. He teaches both systems with a focus on practical self-defence at his club in Walthamstow.
Today Sensei teaches practical Karate and Self-Defence. He has spent many years expanding his knowledge with additional training in Ishin Ryu Karate, Aikido, Ju Jitsu and Shotokai Karate.
He joined the SKDA in 2003, becoming a club instructor in 2005. He earned his 2nd Dan in 2007, 3rd Dan in and 4th Dan in 2019. After being assessed over a one-year period, he received his 5th Dan in 2024.
In addition to Karate, Sensei Ramlakhan has also trained in KAPAP and Krav Maga (self-defence) and is a qualified Level 4 Senior instructor within the British KAPAP Association, part of the Global KAPAP Network. He teaches both systems with a focus on practical self-defence at his club in Walthamstow.
Sensei Powell 2nd Dan
Sensei Alvin began his martial arts journey in the 1990s under Hanshi
Peter Brown, training in the Kempo Jujitsu self-defence system. He
trained alongside Sensei Adrian, who was also a student of Hanshi Peter.
Around the year 2000, Sensei Alvin encouraged Sensei Adrian to start his own club. Fittingly, Sensei Alvin became Sensei Adrian’s first student.
In 2009, Sensei Alvin achieved his 1st Dan black belt. Shortly after, he developed a deep desire to understand the true application of kata techniques. Rather than simply repeating movements, he dedicated countless hours to researching and analysing the deeper meaning behind each technique.
Driven by this passion, Sensei Alvin embarked on a journey to study all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, all while continuing regular training to refine his understanding.
In 2023, Sensei Alvin earned his 2nd Dan and now looks forward to achieving his 3rd Dan.
At the beginning of 2024, he launched his own Shojujitsu club, under the guidance and organisation of Sensei Adrian.
Around the year 2000, Sensei Alvin encouraged Sensei Adrian to start his own club. Fittingly, Sensei Alvin became Sensei Adrian’s first student.
In 2009, Sensei Alvin achieved his 1st Dan black belt. Shortly after, he developed a deep desire to understand the true application of kata techniques. Rather than simply repeating movements, he dedicated countless hours to researching and analysing the deeper meaning behind each technique.
Driven by this passion, Sensei Alvin embarked on a journey to study all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, all while continuing regular training to refine his understanding.
In 2023, Sensei Alvin earned his 2nd Dan and now looks forward to achieving his 3rd Dan.
At the beginning of 2024, he launched his own Shojujitsu club, under the guidance and organisation of Sensei Adrian.
Sensei Burton 1st Dan
Sensei Burton started training seriously in Karate at 18 when a friend offered to teach him little bits outside the back of his shop. He eventually started training with his friends teacher at the Walthamstow Karate Ryu in a self-defence focused form of Shotokan Karate that blended Jujitsu to give us greater control of our opponents.
Not long after he also started training at his university's Taekwondo club. Sensei loves everything about martial arts and over the years would take every opportunity to train with friends and different clubs from different arts, seeking to learn as much as he could.
Years later Sensei become desperate to learn what the true use of kata techniques that he had spent so many hours repeating meant, researching kata became his main obsession.
He began training in a Tiger-Crane Combination Kung-Fu system as it was a cousin of the White Crane style that inspired a lot of karate in the early days. He spent hours scouring the Internet and reading every Karate book that he could afford.
Sensei went on a journey to learn the remaining kata to Funakoshi's original syllabus while continually training and when possible, sparring with everyone he could.
Before the pandemic Sensei Burton began full time training under Sensei Valman 7th Dan of the SKDA who graded him to 1st Dan black belt in 2019. He is currently training towards taking his 2nd dan in the near future.
Not long after he also started training at his university's Taekwondo club. Sensei loves everything about martial arts and over the years would take every opportunity to train with friends and different clubs from different arts, seeking to learn as much as he could.
Years later Sensei become desperate to learn what the true use of kata techniques that he had spent so many hours repeating meant, researching kata became his main obsession.
He began training in a Tiger-Crane Combination Kung-Fu system as it was a cousin of the White Crane style that inspired a lot of karate in the early days. He spent hours scouring the Internet and reading every Karate book that he could afford.
Sensei went on a journey to learn the remaining kata to Funakoshi's original syllabus while continually training and when possible, sparring with everyone he could.
Before the pandemic Sensei Burton began full time training under Sensei Valman 7th Dan of the SKDA who graded him to 1st Dan black belt in 2019. He is currently training towards taking his 2nd dan in the near future.