At what club do you train?

South Woodham Ferrers and Chelmsford

When did you start training?

I started training in 1994 at 5 years old

Why did you choose Ju Jitsu over other martial arts?

My parents were looking for a Martial Art for me to do and took me along to the South Woodham Ferrers Junior class. I have been training ever since.

Did you do other sports/martial arts before Ju Jitsu?

Ju Jitsu was the first sport I ever did as I was so young. I have tried other Martial arts alongside Ju Jitsu but find they have lacked the depth that Ju Jitsu has.

Tell us about your first Ju Jitsu class.

I was very young. There were several brown belts on the matt I remember watching them before the class started and being completely awestruck. Once we got going I really enjoyed the class and have been training since

When did you think about getting your Black Belt?

Although I wanted to get a black belt from a very young age, I don’t think I started to seriously think about going for it until I started training with the Adults when I turned 16. I started to train properly for Black Belt when I began training with Paul Devlin who was a massive inspiration to me, and together we achieved our goal.

Was it difficult to attain?

I found Black belt very difficult to attain. A combination of a torn Ligament in my knee and what seemed like an inability to remember anything up until a month before my grading made the prospect of achieving Black Belt seem like a complete impossibility. Fortunately I have very supportive parents and Sensei who got me on the straight and narrow. After a shaky spell, I managed to get my act together and built up my confidence and managed to achieve my dream.
The thing I found hardest was having to take the best part of 2 years out of training to have operations on my knee. Once you achieve Black Belt you don’t want to stop

What does a “black Belt” mean to you?

Black belt to me means I have learnt the basics of Ju Jitsu, it is now time to learn about the Art

Ever had to use Ju Jitsu for real?

Fortunately I’ve never had to use Ju Jitsu in a real life situation. I have always managed to talk myself out of potentially dangerous situations

Do you enter martial arts competitions?

I like to compete when I can. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to compete for the last couple of years due to injury but I intend to make up for lost time.

Has Ju Jitsu changed your life in any positive or negative way?

I grew up doing Ju Jitsu so I don’t think it has changed my life. I believe It has helped me to grow up as a well rounded person. It has taught me respect and I think I have more confidence than I would without Ju Jitsu.

What do you see as the advantages of Ju Jitsu?

Ju Jitsu is a great all round Martial art which gives you a better chance in a combat situation. I have met loads of great people during my time in Ju Jitsu, and made lots of friends. There is a great sense of family, especially within Wakarishin

How much time does your training require?

I try to train twice a week where work permits. I also help out at 2 clubs run by my old Junior instructors as a way of giving something back.

If you could advise a beginner on one thing about Ju Jitsu what would it be?

Have fun and remember the two magic words…… “Yes Sensei!”


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