Japanese Karate Academy

Graham Austin 6th dan, is the sensei* at the Japanese Karate Academy. He has a long and successful career in karate. He is one of the best instructors of Shotokan karate in the south. If you aren't sure, just come down and watch. His technical ability speaks for itself.

{*sensei is japanese for teacher, literally "one who has gone before"}.

Here are some milestones in Graham Austin's karate 'career'.

Kyu gradings 1967 to 1969 awarded by S.Kanazawa, S.Sumi, S.Takahashi, S.Enoeda.

9th kyu to 1st dan in under 3 years, impressive.

Dates of G Austin's dan gradings
dan	year	awarded by
1	1969	S.Enoeda
2	1971	S.Enoeda
3	1977	S.Enoeda
4	1982	S.Kato
5	1991	S.Kato
6	1995	S.Kato, S.Yamaguchi, S.Asai

Graham spent 8 months of 1973 training three times a day at the JKA Headquarters in Japan. He was the only foreigner there at the time, scary.

In 1986 Graham was invited to Kuwait to develop the national karate team.

He and a group of British karateka accompanied S.Kato on a three week tour of Japanese karate clubs in 1988.

Sensei Graham Austin, at a Peak District beauty spot, performing the kata 'Unsu' .