OTLEY KARATE CENTRE

OTLEY KARATE CENTRE – OUR PROUD HISTORY

The Otley Karate Centre was founded in 1971. It was the district’s very first karate club and was established by its principal and founder, Shihan Ken Gee 9th degree black belt, one of the country’s foremost and highly respected karate masters.

Throughout England karate, the club is instantly recognized by its Japanese name of ‘kyojin’. It is one of the country’s foremost centres for the teaching of the shukokai style of karate-do.

Shihan Gee’s pedigree spans over five decades, back to the very roots of the shukokai style of karate in this country. He was present at the very first demonstration of the style on English soil by the world renowned Japanese sensei, Shigeru Kimura, a disciple of the founder of the shukokai style, Hanshi Chojiro Tani. As a direct result of the demonstration, the Shukokai Karate Union - the England division of the Shukokai World Karate Union - was formed in 1969.

Two years later in 1971, having mastered the shukokai style to the satisfaction of the world Shukokai body, Shihan Gee was examined and awarded the coveted rank of 1st degree black belt by the world Shukokai chief instructor Hanshi Chojiro Tani. His original, and now very rare, black belt certification, held pride of place on the wall of the dojo.

Sensei Kimura (L) & Sensei Tani (R)

Shihan Gee

Following his promotion, Shihan Gee immersed himself in every aspect of shukokai karate and is recognised as one of the driving forces behind the success of the Shukokai Karate Union.(S.K.U.)

In his 40 years with the association, he was Public Relations Officer and Executive Committee member for 10 years, then General Secretary and Deputy Chief Instructor for 30 years. Also during the 40 years with the S.K.U. he was a member of the Shukokai Karate Union’s England Free-fighting squad, Vice Chairman of the all-styles England Karate Governing Body (E.K.G.B.) technical committee, tournament director for the S.K.U., E.K.G.B. and the British Karate Control Commission, (B.K.C.C.) and senior referee for the S.K.U., E.K.G.B. and B.K.C.C.

In 2010, having given his all to the furtherance of the Shukokai Karate Union, Shihan Gee moved on and established the Shukokai•Shito-ryu Karate Alliance (S.S.K.A.). After presiding over the body for six years, in 2016 he was awarded one of the world’s most prestigious senior rank, that of 9th dan shihan. In this capacity he was then bestowed the title of World Ambassador of the Shukokai•Shito-ryu Karate Alliance.

But his personal teaching at the Otley Karate Centre was still very much close to his heart. With an astonishing 100% pass success at all black belt examination levels over the past 28 years and his kyojin club name synonymous with competition success in all-styles national kumite (free-fighting) and kata (traditional form), his passion for teaching his vast karate knowledge to others remained as strong as it was when he started fifty two years ago.

Following a lifetime’s dedication to this fascinating martial art in 2018 shihan Gee decided that it was time to enjoy a well-earned retirement and step back from the day to day running of Otley Karate Centre. His swansong culminated in a final clean sweep of blackbelt successes at the November 2018 dan gradings where 7 students achieved dan gradings between 1st and 4th dan.

Success for Otley Karate Centre’s Black Belt Students

Otley Karate Centre is now organised and run by 3 of Shihan Gee’s Senior Instructors, who continue to promote his legacy, principles and high standards in teaching the art of Shukokai Karate.