BRANCH CHIEF Gary Chamberlain

Training History

Started training in 1971 at Leicester Kyokushinkai
Trained Kyokushin in several countries, most memorably in:
Sweden (1978, 1981, 1987) under Shihan Brian Fitkin
Japan (1989, 1991) under Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and Sensei Tatsuo Nakamura
Since joining Enshin: Training at Honbu in Denver every year and courses with Kancho Joko Ninomiya and other top Instructors in the UK and Europe

Grade History

1st Dan (BKK) 1975
2nd Dan (BKK) 1978
3rd Dan (BKK) 1986
4th Dan (BKK) 1992
(Resigned from Kyokushin 1998, Joined Enshin 2000)
2nd Dan Enshin 2001
3rd Dan Enshin 2004
4th Dan Enshin 2008

Tournament and Fighting History

1981 British and International Open Light Heavyweight Knockdown Champion
30 Kumite 1978
1979 – Great Britain Knockdown Team
1978 & 1980 – England Knockdown Team
Outside Karate, periodic sessions of club door work that occasionally involved (stopping) fights, no resultant hospital stays or police record but a good understanding of what happens and what works.

Coaching History

Assistant Instructor: Leicester Kyokushinkai 1975 – 1980
Chief Instructor: Charnwood Kyokushinkai 1980 – 1998
Branch Chief : Loughborough Enshin Kai from 2000
Coached many regional and national champions in non-contact, Kata and Knockdown during time in Kyokushin.
3 European Sabaki Challenge champions and a Spirit Prize winner since joining Enshin

Outside Karate, self-protection courses to pupils at local schools

Influences

Kyokushin: Shihan Brian Fitkin – who taught me we're all capable of much more than we think, once we believe in ourselves!
Enshin: Kancho Ninomiya – the complete fighter and a real inspiration to me and all of his students