SHOTOKAN KARATE RYU

INSTRUCTORS

With 50 years combined experience in the Martial Arts, Sensei Michael and Sensei Donna have been teaching Shotokan Karate in the local area for 20 years.

Sensei Michael

7th Dan

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.

In 1989 Michael moved to London to work as a Central Government policy advisor at Her Majesty’s Treasury and in 1992 joined the Bishops Stortford dojo of the Stevenage based English Shotokan Karate Association under Chief Instructor Sensei Michael Nursey (9th Dan), a student of world famous Karate Master Hirokazu Kanazawa.

In September 1997 Sensei Michael passed an ESKA instructor assessment and opened his first dojo in Stansted Mountfitchet and in March 1998 Sensei Michael achieved 2nd Dan and passed the EKGB Instructor Assessment held by Sensei Nursey and the Head of the English Karate Governing Body (EKGB) coaching programme Suzanne Gennery.

During these years Sensei Michael trained hard, adding to his club training by attending Open Kata and Kumite courses with 3 times Japan Karate Association Champion Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa (10th Dan). He went on to achieve 3rd Dan in 2001.

SKR is born

In 2003, when the Bishops Stortford Dojo moved, Sensei Michael accepted an invitation from the Sensei Dave Sharkey (9th Dan) to join the English Karate Organisation and the Shotokan Karate Ryu (SKR) was born.

Michael was able to introduce a new generation of student to the open courses of Kanazawa Sensei as well as his sons, Sensei’s Nobuaki, Fumatoshi and Daiz until Kanazawa Sensei’s retirement from international travel in 2012 at age 80.

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 250 licensed students.

Shotokan Karate Ryu today

Since Sensei began teaching he has trained 151 students to black belt with 38 students achieving 2nd Dan, 11 students achieving 3rd Dan and 3 students achieving the landmark rank of 4th Dan. In 2010 Sensei Michael was awarded the rank of 5th Dan.

Despite his continued work commitments in central London as a Senior Government Policy Advisor Sensei continues to teach Karate with 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.”

In 2016 the Senior Dan Grade examiners in the English Karate Organisation and European Karate Organisation Governing Body awarded Sensei Michael the rank of 6th Dan in recognition of his expertise in, and outstanding contribution to, the art of Karate-do.

Kanazawa Sensei remains a true inspiration to Sensei Michael and all the SKR students who were fortunate enough to train with him before his retirement from international travel in 2012.

In 2023, the Executive Committee of the English Karate Organisation announced the award to Sensei Michael Ring of the advancement to the grade of 7th Dan in the art of Karate-do.

Chairman of the English Karate Association, Sensei Dave Sharkey (9th Dan) commented “Sensei Michael is an outstanding karate ka, he has not only achieved this grade through many years of dedication and hard training but also been responsible for teaching many others to also achieve a high standard of karate.

Passing on knowledge is just as important as having it and operating one of the most successful dojo’s in the U.K. is proof of his expertise in doing so.”

Sensei Michael and the Shotokan Karate Ryu remain true to our Shotokan heritage and teach the traditional syllabus of Kihon, Kata and Kumite taught by Kanazawa Sensei.

Sensei Donna

6th Dan

Sensei Donna when she first started teaching in 2003

Sensei Donna Ring, a 5th Dan Black Belt instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience in Shotokan Karate, is dedicated to helping students of all ages build confidence, discipline, and resilience through traditional martial arts.

She was first introduced to karate at school through the Hatfield Heath Shotokan Karate Club under Sensei Mick Powers (3rd Dan). After breaks to complete her A-Levels and Chemistry Degree, she returned to karate while working as a Forensic Scientist and expert witness in London supporting the Metropolitan Police. Following a series of attacks on commuters near the laboratory in Lambeth Park, she decided to take her personal safety into her own hands and joined a Shotokan Karate Club in HM Treasury, Whitehall.

She was drawn to Shotokan Karate for its discipline, personal growth, and strong sense of community. As one of the three traditional martial arts styles, it is taught in Japanese schools and universities as it not only develops physical strength but also mental resilience, focus, and confidence – qualities that benefit students in all areas of life.

Over the years, Sensei Donna has achieved her 5th Dan Black Belt and has been teaching since 2004. She even appeared in a TV commercial as a Karate Instructor! Alongside her husband, Sensei Michael Ring (7th Dan), they run the Shotokan Karate Ryu – a local school established in 2003 offering classes for adults and children, plus courses, workshops, competitions, and social events. They have three sons, Brandon and twins Jack and Ryan, who have all achieved their black belts and are now reading at University.

What she enjoys most about being a Karate Instructor is seeing students of all ages discover their potential and grow in confidence. Her approach to teaching emphasises enjoyment alongside high standards. She believes every student can excel when given proper guidance and encouragement, and is committed to creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported in their martial arts journey.

After a short pause from training, Sensei Donna gave birth to her first son in January 2003 – a year of remarkable achievements. She completed her final exams for her Masters Degree, passing with distinction, and earned her first Dan Black Belt in October. Sensei Donna became an assistant instructor at the Stansted Dojo in 2002 and in 2004 passed an EKO instructor assessment held by Sensei Dave Sharkey (9th Dan).

In 2007, after postponing her grading to have twins, Sensei Donna achieved her 2nd Dan in a challenging grading under Sensei Sharkey. She was called upon to demonstrate many of the 3rd Dan requirements alongside a fellow student who achieved 3rd Dan at the same grading.

Despite two enforced breaks – first to give birth to her son, then three years later to twins – Sensei Donna continued her karate training and teaching (until she was seven months pregnant). She returned to training within six weeks of giving birth on both occasions.

Sensei Donna graded her 3rd Dan in 2010 and her 4th Dan in 2014. This was also the year that she was invited to be in a TV commercial as a Karate Instructor!

Throughout her karate journey, Sensei Donna had the privilege of attending numerous courses and training with he legendary Kanazawa Sensei (10th Dan). However, one experience stands out as particularly memorable.

In 2011, during an intensive course attended by over 400 participants, Sensei Michael and herself were personally invited to the front by Kanazawa Kancho himself to demonstrate Kumite techniques alongside his son. This recognition from such a distinguished figure in the martial arts world was a defining moment in her karate journey and a testament to both Sensei Michael and her own skill and dedication to the art.

On 10th October 2019, Sensei Donna was awarded her 5th Dan from Sensei Sharkey (9th Dan) for being an ambassador for Karate-Do and her commitment to the art.