Mark Hawkins - 4th Dan
I commenced my study of Karate Do in December 1973 at Linden Hall Karate Club,
Bournemouth. The club taught the Wado Ryu style and I graded to 8th Kyu under Sensei
Wignall in June 1974. Shortly afterwards I started training in Shotokan Karate at Linden Hall
under Sensei Peter Larder. I progressed through the grading syllabus, grading under both
Sensei Tomita and Sensei Enoeda reaching 1st Kyu in April 1977.
I moved to the Kanku Karate Club at Stokewood Road, Bournemouth due to Sensei Larder
having to close the Linden Hall Club. Kanku Karate Club was then, and still is, run by Chief
Instructor Sensei Gerry Breeze, and he has been a significant influence on my training and
attitude towards training. On 14th December 1980 I was awarded Shodan (1st Dan Black
Belt) on my first attempt by Sensei Enoeda 9th Dan. Between 1983 and 2001 I had a break in
my training due to professional and family commitments. In 2001 I resumed my training
under Sensei Breeze and after a further six years training I graded to Nidan (2nd Dan) on
22nd April 2007 the grade being awarded by Senseis Breeze, Putt and Carroll.
Following a further seven years of training and studying Shotokan Karate I was awarded
Sandan (3rd Dan) on 23rd March 2014 by Sensei Breeze and Sensei Colin Putt and promoted
to Yondan (4th Dan) in September 2018.
I have in my Karate career trained under and been on courses run by some of the finest
instructors in the world, these include Sensei Nakayama, Sensei Enoeda, Sensei H Kanazawa,
Sensei Kato, Sensei Abe, Sensei Amos, Sensei Hooper, Sensei Hall, Sensei Tomita as well as
some of the most senior Shotokan instructors in the south of England, Sensei Breeze, Sensei
Putt, Sensei Carroll and Sensei O’Donnell.
I have competed in numerous competitions including the KUGB National Championships at
Crystal Palace, the KUGB South West Area Championships, The Legend Shotokan Open and
the Shobu Ippon Open.
As a qualified International Judge & Referee I have officiated at many karate competitions
including world championships.
I am a retired Police Officer and have experience in dealing with confrontation from minor
street disorder through to major public disorder.
I also enjoy a very active family life and flying full size gliders.