About Us

About Us

The history of how Chikara came about goes right back to 1977 when the founder Sensei Mark D’Arcy 7th Dan started training at the oval karate club, a club led by the late sensei Doug Phillips 6th Dan. Sensei Phillips taught Shotokan karate on the Wirral from the late 1960’s and was a close personal friend to Kanazawa Sensei, during the following years the oval changed its name to Sen-no-Sen under the expert teachings and guidance of the then president Sensei Ronnie Colwell, teaching and classes were of the highest standard in kumite, kata and kobudo. In 1986 Chikara was born and affiliated with the BKA, it’s first dojo opening in pensby on the Wirral. To date Chikara has four dojo’s across the Wirral, Pensby, Upton and Woodchurch (X2).

All Chikara members are fully licensed and insured through the BKA. The BKA are full members of the EKF (English Karate Federation) and the WKF (World Karate Federation).

Sensei Taylor is also an active member of the Bumisuke Kai International, headed by Paul Vermiglio Kyoshi 8th Dan, practicing Shimbukan Ryukyu Kobudo under the guidance of Kaicho Akamine Hiroshi Kyoshi 9th Dan, head of the Ryukyu Kobudo Shimbukan based in Tomigusuku, Okinawa.  There are regular opportunities to train with both Vermiglio Sensei and Akamine Sensei, both in the UK and overseas

The BKA and Chikara provide training opportunities with top class instructors across many styles to compliment our own training. The Association also provides National Championships every year and access to International events via the BKA squad.

Chikara has gone through many changes over the years to bring new opportunities and activities to the students, under the guidance of the two Senior Instructors sensei’s Mark D’Arcy (7th Dan) and the late Dave Young (5th Dan), who have both been involved in Martial Arts and more specifically Shotokan karate for over 30 years. Chikara provides training throughout each week with different instructors at different locations across the Wirral.

Chikara offers various activities:

Kobudo weapons Training

Traditional Training and Kata

Ladies Self-Defence Classes

Competition Kumite

Fitness Training