Leventhorpe Leisure Centre
Cambridge Rd,
Sawbridgeworth
CM21 9BY
Sawbridgeworth School of Shotokan Karate
About us
SSSK Founder
& Chief Instructor
Paul Wilson began Karate training at the Sheering Karate club in the mid eighties and passed his 1st Dan in 1990. He was awarded Godan (5th) by SHOTO chief instructor Hanshi Mick Randall in 2017 and Rokudan (6th) in 2023
SHOTO Founder
& Chief Instructor
Hanshi Mick Randall MBE (10th Dan) was an original disciple of Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa.
One of the original "Seven Samurai" he started his Karate journey in January 1964 under the tutelage of Professor Dr. Vernon Bell, the first Shotokan Instructor in the UK. He is also one of the very few to have been taught by the Japanese instructors Tetsuji Murakami and Hiroo Mochizuki. A staunch traditionalist, he became one of the first in Britain to obtain a black belt under the Japan Karate Association in January 1967
Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa
Soke Kanazawa, President and chief instructor of Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF), was arguably one of, if not, the greatest Shotokan Karate-ka of the modern age. He was taught by the founder of Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, and by Master Masatoshi Nakayama, Chief Instructor of the JKA.
Soke Kanazawa came to Great Britain in 1965 and taught his first lesson in April of that year, Hanshi Mick Randall was a senior student in that class. He continued to train under Kanazawa Sensei for many years and spent a lifetime passing on his instructors teachings to his students.
Whilst recently formed (2011) SSSK has a lot of accumulated experience to offer with two 5th Dans, one 4th Dan, one 3rd Dan and four 2nd Dans who all train regularly and all of whom are willing and able to help the club's Karate-ka develop their knowledge and understanding of Shotokan Karate. We are supported and guided by SHOTO with 14 instructors above the rank of 5th Dan presided over by Hanshi Mick Randall MBE who is one of the highest ranked Western instructors in Europe.
Teaching in smaller groups means that our Karate-ka receive increased quality time with their instructors. We take the time to explain technique fundamentals and application with emphasis on firm understanding rather than the acquisition of the next colour belt. This traditional approach to teaching Shotokan relies on hard work and regular training attendance.
SSSK Instructors
Paul Wilson
Paul started his Shotokan Karate journey in the mid eighties and passed his Shodan in July 1990 under the watchful eye of Charles Mack. After training for many years in the local area he was invited to join SHOTO in 2011 by Hanshi Mick Randall. He teaches Traditional (non-sport) Karate but links this to modern day applications.
"For the last sixteen years I have been fortunate enough to have trained on a weekly basis with my son. Sharing a common interest in Karate has been very rewarding for us both. In founding SSSK I wanted to ensure that other parents could experience this too." - Paul Wilson 2017
Andy Brown - Dojo Captain
Andy has been training since 2003 and attained Shodan in 2007 and Nidan under Sensei Randall in 2013. Andy is the dojo captain here at SSSK - More recently Andy & Melissa have moved to Lincolnshire - miss you guys!
Robin Welch - Assistant Instructor Seniors
Robin started his training in 1991 in Swiss Cottage, London under Sensei Tony Bourne and Sensei Roy Gerondaes and subsequently under Hanshi Mick Randall in both Islington and Muswell Hill. He took Shodan in 1997, achieved Sandan in 2005 and was awarded Godan in 2016.
"On moving out of London, it was my good fortune to meet and train with Sensei Paul Wilson. In SSSK, I've found a club that has a family spirit at it's core and I'm delighted that this has encouraged my wife Suzanne, to put on her black belt and continue training alongside all our children." - Robin Welch 2017
Melissa Brown - Assitant Instructor Juniors
Melissa has been training since 2003 and attained Shodan in 2007 and Nidan under Sensei Randall in 2013. Melissa is in charge of instructing the Junior students and runs classes every Sunday morning here at SSSK - More recently Melissa and Andy have moved to Lincolnshire - miss you guys!
Laurence Wilson - Club Secretary
Laurence has been training twice a week since he was 5 years old. Having graded to Shodan aged 10 and Nidan aged 12 he has subsequently retaken these grades under Sensei Randall and registered with the EKF. He is a flexible and knowledgeable teacher for both adult and junior students.
Dojo Seniors
Keith Brewer
Keith (left) has been a Shotokan practitioner for many years. He is definitely "old School" and is always happy to share his considerable knowledge.
Heather Mollison
Heather started training in 2005 alongside her sons. She achieved Shodan in 2009, Nidan in 2011 and Sandan on 2014 as well as an EKO instructor certification. Although not actively instructing at the moment, like all SSSK Seniors, she is always ready and willing to help out when needed.
"For the last twelve years I have trained regularly, firstly with EKO and the last two years with SHOTO. Although I started training because of my children, I have found a personal satisfaction, challenge and empowerment through karate training. There is always something to learn and Karate, for me, is truly a combination of mind, body and spirit. " - Heather Mollison 2017
Liz Tripp
Liz is one of the clubs most consistent attendees who freely admits to being grumpy if she is unable to train. Liz passed her Shodan in 2016 with Sensei Randall in the same year she married Liam and gave one of the best verbal terminology test performances I have seen (having taken her notes with her on honeymoon) Liz was awarded Nidan by Sensei Randall in 2019 and along with Lee Taylor were probably the last Karateka to be graded by Sensei before his passing.