Dave Paulus (4th Dan JKA)

Dave is the Chief Instructor at the Academy and has over twenty years of experience in Shotokan Karate.

Dave’s first Instructor was Sensei Terry Nifton (then 2nd Dan) who was a member of the KUGB and taught Karate at Buttsbury Junior School in Billericay.  There were not too many children at the club and training was very strict and physically demanding. 

Dave later joined the Toyakwai Karate Association with Sensei Paul Efreme and graded to 1st Dan Black Belt in 1992.  It was during this time that he enjoyed success at the many regional and national championships in both Kata and Kumite and decided to open his own club in 1994.

After achieving 2nd Dan in 1995 and then 3rd Dan in 1998, Dave became more interested in the more traditional approach to Karate and decided to return to the KUGB, with the primary reason being to train with Sensei’s Enoeda, Ohta and the other JKA Instructors at the annual Spring and Summer Courses at Crystal Palace.

Dave has been fortunate enough to train under the world’s top instructors, including Sensei’s Sugiura, Enoeda, Mori, Ueki, Tanaka, Osaka, Kanazawa and many more.  He has also trained with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto Machida in Las Vegas.

Sensei Ohta first taught at Dave’s club in August 1999 and was hugely popular and impressive.  Since that time, Sensei Ohta has been and continues to be a regular visitor.

Dave first travelled to Japan in 2000 and has returned every year since to train at the JKA Honbu Dojo.  As well as attending numerous All Japan Training Camps, Dave also successfully graded to 4th Dan during his trip to Tokyo in 2007 and later earned his Level C Instructor licence.

In 2008, Dave was presented with the ‘Coach of the Year’ award by Sportessex and more recently, Dave and the Yushikai Karate Academy were recognised above notable venues including the Brentwood Centre and Melbourne Stadium for their contribution to the Development of Sport in Essex.

Sensei Ohta (7th Dan JKA)

The JKA England Chief Instructor is Yoshinobu Ohta, 7th Dan. Sensei Ohta is a graduate of Takushoku University and has also attended the famous Instructors Classes at JKA Headquarters in Japan. From 1982 to 2003 Sensei Ohta was the assistant to Keinosuke Enoeda, 9th Dan.

Guest Instructors

The Yushikai Karate Academy has played host to several high profile JKA Instructors from Japan.  Not only do we enjoy regular visits from Ohta Sensei, we have also organised courses at our Dojo with Sensei's Osaka, Naka, Hirayama and Chubachi (All from JKA HQ in Tokyo).