Meet the Team

Steve Ashby Sensei - SKIF Bristol Karate Instructor

Steve Ashby

After finishing secondary school and feeling at a loss for physical recreation, Steve had always had an interest in the Martial Arts (it was of course extremely popular then as popularised by Bruce Lee of that era and David Carradine's Kung Fu series), briefly having studied Judo when younger.

Steve started his karate training in 1984 at the Konjaku Shin karate club in Grimsby under Sensei Dave Kershaw - a club and Instructor who Steve stills trains regularly at.

Continuing his training whilst at University in Middlesbrough and then training and assisting instructing at Samurai Karate club in St.Albans. He later established the Kyoto karate club in 1996 when he moved to Bristol.

In 2019 Steve was extremely honoured to be awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Honour - a symbol of dedication and furtherment to karate.

In 2022, at the Queens Platinum Jubilee, Steve was further honoured by receiving the Queens Platinum Jubilee award for volunteering services to karate.

Nick Bruce-Jones Sensei - SKIF Bristol Karate Instructor

Nick Bruce-Jones

Nick started karate training at Newcastle University in 1979, joining Bilston (West Midlands) SKC to train under Sensei George Bagdi and latterly Sensei Graham Ralph during vacations and after graduating.  In 1988 Nick set up and instructed at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines SKC.

In 2014 Nick joined Kyoto Shotokan Karate Club having taken a 23 year sabbatical from karate training due to work commitments.

In 2018 Nick received his 3rd Dan from Hanshi Asano (9th Dan).  He is a B Grade Referee.

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Susan Hula

Sue started training with us in 2012 and is our lead first aider.

Sue attained her Shodan black-belt in 2022 and helps teaching the juniors.