Andrew Blake 4th Dan Senior Instructor

Andrew has been training in Shito Ryu Karate since 1998 and has held the rank of 4^th Dan since November 2016

I first became interested in karate after watching one of my friends compete in a local karate competition in Salford at the Ken Yu Kai National Championships. I knew that I wanted to get involve into some sort of martial art but at that time I wasn’t too sure which one. After watched the event, this convinced me that karate was going to be the sport that I’d try.

I approached Sensei Ian Swain and the following day and joined in with his lesson at Sale Annexe Youth Centre. After that initial training session, I didn’t look back and after four years in which I never missed a lesson or a grading and finally achieved my black belt.

Kumite (fighting) has always been my favourite part of the karate syllabus and I had my first competition after a year of training. I went on to represent my club and association where I was able to win many competitions including English and British senior titles. This also gave me the opportunity to travel around the country as well as internationally where I have meet numerous competitors, who are now good friends.

I’m currently a senior Instructor at the Sale Dojo and sit on the Dan grading panel, which I’m extremely proud. Deep down kumite is my passion and the thing that gives me the most stratification is working with our younger fighters and trying to produce the next champion.

When I first started this journey, little did I know that karate was going to be such a huge positive influence within my life and hopefully in my future.