Sensei Michael Ring

Sensei Michael Ring was born in the historic town of Llantrisant, the ancient home of the Black Prince of Wales, and was first introduced to the martial arts at the age of 6 when he took up Judo. 

After seeing the "Karate Kid" in 1984 he joined his first Karate club, a member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), and took inspiration from KUGB legends Terry O'Neill and Frank Brennan.

Sensei Michael was fortunate to expand his training at open courses in Kata, Kihon & Kumite with Kanazawa Sensei.

In 2003 Sensei Michael (then 3^rd Dan) accepted an invitation from Sensei Dave Sharkey the 7^th Dan Chief Instructor of the English Karate Organisation and Chairman of the European Karate Organisation Governing Body, to join them and the Shotokan Karate Ryu (SKR) was born. 

Since opening the first SKR club in Bishops Stortford in November 2003 (with only 5 students) Sensei Michael has watch SKR grow to become the largest Karate group in the Bishops Stortford area with over 200 licensed students.

In 2005 Sensei Michael achieved his 4^th Dan, and despite his heavy work commitments in central London as a Senior Government Policy Advisor, continues to teach Karate with an undaunted energy and enthusiasm.

He commented: "Hard work and discipline are at the heart of good Karate and I have no doubt that my work and life achievements have only been possible because of the self discipline and determination I have learnt from many years of hard Karate training."

Kanazawa Sensei remains a true inspiration to Sensei Michael and all of the SKR students who have been fortunate to train with him.

His life long dedication to the art of Karate-do can be described as nothing less than awesome.

The Shotokan Karate Ryu remains true to its Shotokan heritage and teaches traditional syllabus of Kihon, Kata and Kumite as taught by Kanazawa Sensei. 

Donna Ring

Sensei Donna Ring was born in Hatfield Heath and has lived in the Bishops Storford Area most of her life. Her first introduction to the martial arts was as a teenager at the Hatfield Heath Shotokan Karate club under Sensei Mick Powers (3^rd Dan).

Club politics and the demands of studying for her "A" levels meant that she could not continue her Karate training until she reached University where she trained for one year before the demands of her Chemistry degree conflicted with her training.

In 1996 Sensei Donna left University and was offered a job as a Forensic Scientist in the London Laboratory of the Forensic Science Service where she worked for 5 years becoming an "expert witness" in crime scene reconstruction as well as studying for a Masters degree.

She first met her future husband, Sensei Michael, when she visited the small club he ran in central London and resumed her Karate training with vigor. She soon gained notoriety, as well as the association record, for training at 63 lessons in the 3-month period between gradings.

Sensei Donna achieved her 1^st Dan in 2001 while doing her final exams for her Masters, for which she passed with distinction. Donna became an assistant instructor at the Stansted Dojo in 2002 and in 2004 passed an EKO instructor assessment held by Sensei Dave Sharkey (7^th Dan).  

In 2007, again having to postpone her Grading to have twins, Sensei Donna achieved her 2^nd Dan in an arduous grading under Sensei Sharkey. Donna was called upon to demonstrated many of the requirements for 3^rd Dan alongside her club mate and the Bishops Stortford Dojo Captain Sensei Paul Wilson who achieved 3^rd Dan at the same grading.

Despite having two enforced breaks to give birth to her first son and then 3-years later to twins, Donna has continued her Karate training and her teaching (until she was 7 months pregnant). She returned to training on both occasions within 6 weeks of giving birth.

Donna commented: “I trained at two other clubs and what surprised me most about Michael’s London club was that his sole purpose for teaching is the enjoyment it gives him and his students. The London club ran two lunchtimes a week and despite his heavy workload Michael rarely cancelled lessons, and if he did, he always put on extra lessons to make up the difference. One thing Michael has never compromised on are his standards, he says that because he doesn’t teach karate for the money he doesn’t have to, and the training sessions are certainly harder than in my previous clubs.”

Sensei Paul began Karate training at the Sheering Karate club in the mid eighties and passed his 1^st Dan in 1990 under the watchful eye of Sensei Charles Mac, chief instructor for the BSKSA. Paul represented his club in a number of local kumite competitions and was the captain of the club Kumite team.  

In 1994 Paul took a break from training to concentrate on his career but in 2002 resumed training at a local Karate club and in 2003 he and his son Laurence began training with Sensei Michael at the Thorley SKR club. 

In 2004 Paul passed his 2^nd Dan and went on to pass his 3^rd Dan in 2007 after a gruelling Grading where he was assessed as above the standard for a 3^rd Dan. Both of Paul's Gradings were Chaired by Sensei Dave Sharkey (7^th Dan) who is the Chief Instructor of the English Karate Organisation and Chairman of the European Karate Organisation Governing Body.

Paul commented: “I have one regret about Karate - taking a break from it for career reasons. I have come to realise the importance of regular training and how beneficial this is to my Karate and my health in general. I thoroughly enjoy the training sessions and I appreciate Sensei Michael’s commitment and dedication to traditional Karate. Over the last five years I have proudly watched my son develop under his expert tutelage and attain his black belt.” 

Paul is a SKR Dojo Captain and an Association Kata & Kumite Judge.

Andrew started karate training in 2004 with his son Christopher at the Thorley SKR club and now also trains at the Havers SKR club. At his black belt grading in 2007 Sensei Sharkey noted Andrew has good kime, strong kumite and was above the standard for 1st Dan in all areas.

Andrew is a SKR Dojo Captain and an Association Kata & Kumite Judge.

Melissa started karate training in 2004 at the Thorley SKR club and was soon supplementing her training at the Stansted SKR club with her son Christopher (now Shodan).

An SKR Kata Champion, Melissa was singled out for her technical standard at her Black belt grading in 2007, which Sensei Sharkey (7th Dan) noted was the highest he had seen for someone attempting 1st Dan.

Melissa is a SKR Dojo Captain and an Association Kata & Kumite Judge.

Gary started training with Sensei Michael in 2004, whilst also training in Jujitsu. In 2008 Gary achieved the rank of 1^st Dan from senior examiners; Sensei Michael Ring (4^th Dan), SKR Chief Instructor, and Sensei Dave Sharkey (7^th Dan), English Karate Organisation Chief Instructor and Chairman of the European Karate Organisation Governing Body.

An SKR Kata & Kumite Champion in 2006 and 2007 respectively, Gary is the 2008 SKR Grand Champion winning both the Kata and Kumite events in the 2008 Summer Championships.

Gary is a SKR Dojo Captain and an Association Kata Judge.

Sensei Dave Sharkey is a 7th Dan black belt and one of the UK's highest graded karate instructors. Sensei Sharkey has been training since 1962 and has been taught by (amongst others) the “Tiger of Shotokan” Sensei Kinesoke Enoeda.

Sensei Sharkey founded the English Karate Organisation to maintain the high standards of karate passed down to him by Sensei Enoeda, and is the Chairman of the European Karate Organisation Governing Body.

Sensei Sharkey commented: “The standard of Karate at the SKR clubs is very high and the students consistently demonstrate good technique in Kata and outstanding control in Kumite. At the most recent Dan Grading all of the students performed above the level for the Grade they were attempting.”