Stephen Marriott 3rd Dan (SKIF)
Senior Yamakai Instructor

I became interested in Karate and Martial Arts after watching Bruce Lee films and Karate Kid in the early 80s. At the time there weren't many Karate dojo in the area. One day at my local swimming club in Harlington there was a poster advertising Shotokan Karate. So I went along to the demo at the newly built Flitwick Sports & Leisure Centre. I was very impressed with the demo and signed up immediately.

The Flitwick club was a member of the Traditional Association of Shotokan Karate (TASK) and the chief instructor was Sensei John van Weenen. Other instructors at Flitwick club were Sensei Jane van Weenen and Sensei Derek Barnet.

After 7 years of hard training I went and took my black belt grading at the Hombu in Bedford and passed. In 1995 I graded for Nidan with TASK and in 1999 I took my Sandan grading, Sensei John van Weenen was the examiner for all of these gradings.

In 2004, after training with TASK for 19 years, I decided to join SKKIF headed by Kancho Kanazawa. As a member of SKKIF (affiliated to SKIF) I am able to train regularly on SKIF courses, open courses and squad sessions throughout the UK.

The following year I decided to learn Nunchaku with Sensei Malcolm Phipps. Nunchaku is not only fun, but has also improved my Karate. Other Kobudo I practice is Yamani-Ryu Bo-Jutsu.

In March 2006 I successful passed my Sandan under Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa to register my grade at the S.K.I.F Headquarters in Japan.

2006 was also the year of 9th SKIF World Championships which I was selected for, representing the UK (SKKIF) team in Japan.

Member of:
SKKIF - Shotokan Karate Kanazawa - Ryu International Federation
SKIF - Shotokan Karate-do International Federation
ETNA - English Traditional Nunchaku Association
IRKRS - International Ryukyu Karate Research Society

Stephen Marriott, BSc Hons

Karate Achievements

2008
2nd visit to Japan, 19th World Karate Championships

2007
SKIF National Examiner

2006
Sandan (3rd Dan) - examiner Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa (SKIF)
UK Team member at the 9th SKIF World Championships, Japan

2005
Red Belt Nunchaku Kobudo (ETNA) - examiner Malcolm Phipps

2004
Kickpics Gallery feature
TASK Championships Team Kumite 2nd Cranfield University Club
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Championships Team Kata 1st

2003
TASK Championships Team Kumite 1st Cranfield University Club
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Championships Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Championships Team Kata 1st

2002
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 1st Flitwick Club
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st

2001
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

2000
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kumite 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

1999
Sandan (3rd Dan) - examiner J van Weenen (TASK)
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st

1998
TASK Open Day Team Kata 1st
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 3rd

1997
TASK Open Day Mens Black Belt Kata 2nd
TASK Open Day Team Kata 3rd

1995
Nidan (2nd Dan) - examiner J van Weenen (TASK)
TASK Open Day Team Kumite 2nd

1994
TASK Open Day Team Kata 3rd

1993
Shodan (1st Dan) - examiner J van Weenen (TASK)
Club La Santa Iron-Man 2nd

1991
TASK Open Day 6th Kyu & above Mens Kumite 2nd

1990
TASK Flitwick Club Student Award

1985
Started Shotokan Karate