Michael started training when Ealing Karate Club was under the banner of the British Karate Association, it’s then Chief instructor was Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki back in 1978. The club, headed by Sensei John James left the BKA and moved to Higashi Karate Kai in the early ’80s. Some years after Michael began training, the club’s main instructor Sensei John James made a move to Cornwall with his young family in pursuit of a new career, leaving Peter Harris and Henry Francis as the new Sensei’s.

 

Under their instruction during the ’80s Mike worked hard but struggled through his grades and early competitions, eventually once he found his way, Mike went on to compete at national and international levels. In 1995 Mike was selected for the England Kumite team and made his debut in Zaragoza Spain in a friendly match. Mike went on to represent England on the elite squad for the next five years. his most memorable being 1997 in which he had a hat trick of wins (British Champion, English Champion, and English Team Champion) During his time Mike competed in France, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Italy the Philippines in events like the English, the British, VSO, French open, European and World championships until he chose to retire from the England squad in 2000.

Mike moved into Coaching, which has science provided him with another passion