DEVON Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Kai has recently completed its first six months training at Westward Barbell in Crediton, having relocated from Lords Meadow Leisure Centre at the turn of the year.
The group’s founder and Instructor Sensei Peter Hill, 7th Dan, looks forward to working in this new venue for many years to come.
At the recent Wado Academy summer training camp in Hampshire, long-term student Sue Greenaway was successful in her 1st Dan (Shodan) black belt examination, following five days of intensive training led by Sensei Arthur Meek, 7th Dan, from Bridgwater and Sensei Peter Hill 7th Dan.
Two of Peter’s other students, from North Devon, mother and son Rebecca Chalmers and Dillon Chalmers, passed 1st Dan at the same time.
For anyone wishing to find out more about Wado Ryu Karate Do in Crediton, the following gives a little information about Peter Hill.
In February 2017, 57 years-old Peter Hill was awarded black belt 7th Dan on recommendation from the world renowned Japanese instructor Sensei M.Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi Shihan. It was also endorsed by the Otsuka Soke, the founding family of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do and authorised by the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Renmei in Japan.
Peter began his lifelong study of Karate-Do in 1971 at the age of 11 in Barnstaple. Based in Great Torrington since 1983, where he runs his private and main dojo, the “Ken Shu Kan” at Function Fitness, he has been a professional Karate-ka for the past 33 years. He also teaches at other dojo he helped establish since 1984 in Barnstaple, Bideford, Crediton and Okehampton.
Peter was a private student to the late Sensei T.Takamizawa 7th Dan Kyoshi Shihan for nearly 20 years until he died in 1998 and with whom he helped establish the Devon Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Kai, which is now one of the area’s most respected and established martial art groups.
Peter has studied deeply with Sensei M.Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi Shihan for the past 30 years and with the late Sensei H.Otsuka II 10th Dan Saiko Shihan in both Europe and Japan over many years until he died two years ago.
Peter has also been appointed an official international instructor and Dan Grade examiner to the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy, the official body for authentic Wado-Ryu Karate-Do in Europe, one of only three people to hold this status. He has taught more than 50 people to 1st Dan or above, including two Karate-ka to 5th Dan, having all graded with or been recognised by his Japanese instructors.
In addition to teaching in Devon and around Britain he has also, in recent years, been invited to teach or demonstrate in various countries including Norway, Sweden, Italy, Holland, France and Japan.
This year sees his first teaching visits to Germany, where he will be leading a series of courses over coming months.
The Crediton dojo is the regular training location for a number of long-standing students who have attained a range of senior grades, including Daniel Bevan, 3rd Dan and Gary Moore, 3rd Dan.