All team members hold black belt qualifications in Shindō-Ryu Karate from 1st to 6th dan. Each member holds a DBS certificate that is checked annually and is covered by insurance. All team members have been on a safeguarding course and most are qualified examiners in the system. A number of the team members are qualified first aiders.
Owen Farrant-Kyoshi
Owen learnt judo as a child and always intended to return to it when time allowed. His son Ryan wanted to do karate and Owen decided to join in. As an engineer Owen has a great interest in the way techniques are implemented and the effect of the combinations as seen in kata. Owen and Ryan opened the class at Honywood school in November 2007. In 2019 Owen achieved 6th dan in Shindō-Ryu karate and was awarded the title shihan (master). In 2021 the title kyoshi (teaching warrior) was awarded. This traditionally was the permission to teach.
Ryan Farrant-Shihan
Ryan started karate when he was 5 years old. Ryan is fascinated by the analysis of kata and in trying to find and understand the applications suited to modern day. It was initially a great surprise that kata dating back centuries can still be relevant to modern day self defence. Ryan has recently been awarded the title Shihan(master) for which he felt greatly honoured. Ryan enjoys passing his knowledge on to others and helping them to succeed in their karate journey.
Glenn Donnelly-Sensei
Glenn was the clubs first home grown black belt and has been part of the teaching team for 5 years. Glenn has recently achieved his third dan.
Mark Bocking-Sensei
Mark joined Kuro Mizu Kai in 2011 and achieved his first black belt in 2016. Mark enjoys practising and learning Kata as he likes to understand how each move works and it’s effect. Mark holds the title of Sensei and is proud to be teaching at the class. His proudest moment is attaining shodan alongside his daughter Coral and currently assisting his youngest daughter Holly, who has a learning disability, to achieve her black belt. Mark has recently achieved his third dan.
Coral Bocking-Renshi
Coral started Karate in 2011 when most of her family decided to have a go. She has since achieved shodan in April 2016. Coral enjoys practising and teaching uke waza (pair work) because she likes to work with other people and see them improve in technique and confidence. Coral has been on a 3 year hiatus to achieve a university degree but has now returned to the class. Coral has recently achieved her third dan and due to an outstanding performance was awarded the title Renshi (polished / refined warrior).
William Millard-Sempai
I started karate because I found school life quite hard and seemed to be picked on by the bullies on a regular basis, as I grew in my mind and in my martial arts abilities the bullies seemed to fade away.
I have been doing karate since the age of 7 and throughout my time attending Kuro Mizu Kai I have gained self confidence and self belief, I gained my Shodan just before leaving to attend military collage and now that I’ve returned I intend to carry on my journey.