Sensei Paul first started training in the art of Shotokan Karate in 1975 under the instruction of the then KUGB England International Ronnie Wade. When the club closed he looked around for another Karate club to join but there were none in the area.
Still wanting to be involved in the martial arts he decided to join a local Judo club. This club was run by one of the best young Judoka in the north of England, Sensei Nigel Klines. There was a good feel to this club and he enjoyed his time spent there, one of the best moments being when he was one of the team members that came third in the North of England Judo Championships in 1984.
Due to the pressure of studying and exams he took time out of the martial arts but started again in 2001, when he joined a Shukokai Karate club. During this time he trained with some of the best Karateka in the world including Wayne Otto and Tikky Donovan. He immediately took to this style of Karate and progressed through the grades, obtaining Shodan (Black belt 1st Dan) in 2005 and Nidan (Black belt 2nd Dan) in 2007.
The year 2008 was a big year for Sensei Paul achieving a lifelong ambition to visit Japan and train with other Karateka on the island of Okinawa (the birth place of Karate). On his return home he decided to open his own Karate Dojo; Garforth Shukokai Karate Club. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength quickly establishing itself as one of the most successful clubs in Yorkshire, winning karate championships at regional, national and international level.
The clubs mission statement is to deliver high class Karate tuition both traditional and modern day competitive Karate.
In so doing our students develop self confidence, discipline and respect for others.
In 2010 Sensei Paul undertook his Sandan (black belt 3rd Dan) in front of the Cobra Martial Arts Association (C.M.A.A) National Black Belt Grading Panel.
Not only did he pass but received the highest score of the day.