Sensei Barry Lovett 4th Dan
I first started martial arts at the age of 8 in 1963 studying Judo in the Orpington Dojo of Sensei Bill Garnett.
At the age of 12 I won the first of three Southern Area Judo Championships.
I passed my Judo black belt at the age of 14 under Sensei George Chew 6th Dan at the London Budokan. It was while I was there that I saw this strange art called karate.
I was educated at St. Olaves and St. Saviours Grammar School, London and then at H.M.S. Conway Naval Training Establishment. After serving in the Navy I worked for many years in the spanish haulage business working in Spain and the U.K. and travelling extensively throughout Europe.
I started training in karate in 1986 after watching my two sons Martin and Kevin at Sensei Terry Robins' Dojo in Peacehaven. I trained for many years and eventually took my 1st Dan in 1995. My sons competed at a high level in karate. Kevin winning the English International Open at the age of 11 and Martin went on to win the Wado Ryu European Championship in Italy in 2000.
Having started karate too late in life to be able to compete at a high level, I dedicated myself to teaching and refereeing.
I opened my first clubs in Lindfield and Hailsham in 1997 and have subsequently opened clubs in Uckfield and in various schools.
Grading Record
Shodan - 1st Dan - 1995 - graded by Sensei Chris Kent 6th Dan, Sensei Terry Robins 4th Dan and Sensei Keith Collier 4th Dan
Nidan - 2nd Dan - 1999 - graded by the same panel
Sandan - 3rd Dan -2004 - graded by the same panel
Yodan - 4th Dan - 2008 - graded by Sensei Robert Heale-Mason 8th Dan and Sensei Chris Kent 6th Dan
Other qualifications in karate
Attained Association Kumite Referee 1992
EKGB National Kumite Judge 1995
EKGB National Kumite Referee 1997
EKGB National Kumite A Class Referee 2000
Appointed W.I.K.F. England Chief Referee 2010
Officiated at numerous competitions at all levels up to International Tournaments
EKGB and K.E. National Senior tournaments - 1995 onwards
EKGB and K.E. National Junior tournaments - 1995 onwards
British Championships - Glasgow - 2001 onwards
British Junior Championships 2003 onwards
London Borough Youth Games 1992 onwards
Wado Ryu European Championships - Italy 2000
Venice Cup - Italy 2001
Eindhoven Open - Holland - 2002
W.I.K.F. World Championships - Dallas, U.S.A. - 2011
My most memorable time in karate was accompanying Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki 8th Dan to Japan in 2003 and taking part in training in his Dojo in Nihon University. Then attending his 75th birthday celebrations which also commemorated his 60th year in karate training. Photos of this trip are in the gallery.
Acknowledgements:
Sensei Terry Robins 4th Dan who taught me from a raw beginner. I owe him a debt I cannot repay
Sensei Chris Kent 6th Dan - One of the most talented martial artists I have known. He showed me the way.