In the IOGKF, one has to achieve the level of Sandan (3rd Dan) to earn the title of Sensei. Below this grade everybody is referred to as Senpai
Sensei John Marrable, Nanadan (7th Dan)
Sensei John
became interested in martial arts in the early 1970’s due to the Bruce Lee movies and “Kung Fu” series. As a paraplegic, since the age of 11 due to a fall while climbing, he felt vulnerable in various altercations whilst growing up so he was keen to learn some form of unarmed combat. He approached various martial art clubs in his area of North London, England but was told that because he was in a wheelchair he “couldn’t” do it. This made John more determined and he taught himself from books and trained with friends who did kung fu.
In December 1974 John emigrated to NZ and in January 1976 he started formal training in Kyukoshinkai karate. The Club was a member of “The Rembuden Institute of Martial Arts” whose chief instructor was Sensei Jarvis. John held the rank of 3rd kyu in Kyukoshinkai when Sensei Jarvis invited Higaonna Sensei to New Zealand which resulted in “The Rembuden Institute of Martial Arts” being accepted into IOGKF.
One of the biggest highlights in John’s karate training was when Higaonna Sensei presented his own black belt to John at his first training visit to New Zealand. Higaonna Sensei told John that it was not a grading but an acknowledgement of John’s training spirit and determination and that he was to put the belt on his wall and look at it each day.
John was graded to Shodan in July 1980 by Higaonna Sensei at which time he told John that he could now wear “his” belt. John still has the belt and wears it on special occasions.
Higaonna Sensei has graded John at each of his gradings up to Rokudan:
- Shodan: 1980 – Dunedin, NZ
- Nidan: 1983 – Spokane, USA
- Sandan: 1989 – New Plymouth, NZ
- Yondan: 1995 – Wellington, NZ
- Godan: 2008 – Okinawa, Japan
- Rokudan: 2016 – Okinawa, Japan
- Nanadan: 2023 – Okinawa, Japan
John was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame and the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame in August 2017.
John’s other sporting achievements are: 1st paraplegic in NZ to complete a full marathon. Represented NZ and Otago in paraplegic sport, has been active in wheelchair basketball and is still active in table tennis.
Adele Sinclair, Nidan (2nd Dan)
Sensei John, along with Senpai Adele and Hazel Sinclair were the co-founders of the club in 1995.
She started training in 1989. She graded to Shodan just 3 years later in 1992 in Dunedin. She graded to Nidan in 1999 in Christchurch. She has also trained in Okinawa.
Lee Hart, Yondan (4th Dan)
Sensei Lee graded to Shodan in 2014 in Dunedin, to Nidan in 2016 and Sandan in 2019, both in Okinawa, Japan. He graded to Yondan in 2023 in Mosgiel. He also holds Shodan in Judo, having trained in that discipline for over 30 years. He runs our children’s program.
Wendel Broek, Sandan (3rd Dan)
Sensei Wendel graded to Shodan in Wageningen, Netherlands in 2005, Nidan in Dunedin in 2018 and Sandan in Wellington 2023.
Brendon Rae, Sandan
Sensei Brendon first started training in 1987 in Kyokushin. After reaching 4th kyu, life got in the way. He returned to karate, this time Goju Ryu, in 2012 and graded to Shodan in 2016 and Nidan in 2019, both in Okinawa. He graded to Sandan 2023 in Mosgiel. He oversees membership and registration activities.
Geoff Preston, Nidan (2nd Dan)
Senpai Geoff first commenced training in 1982. He graded to Shodan in 2005 in Kurow and to Nidan in 2009 in Dunedin.
Nick Biggin, Nidan
Senpai Nick graded to Shodan in 2008 in Waihi and to Nidan in 2015 in Dunedin.
Mahmoud Nikou, Nidan
Senpai Mahmoud started training with Sensei John in 2013. He graded to Shodan 2020 in Ranfurly 2020 and Nidan 2023 in Mosgiel.
Stephen Nikou, Nidan
Senpai Stephen started training with Sensei John in 2013. He graded to Shodan 2020 in Ranfurly and Nidan 2023 in Mosgiel.
Benjamin Nikou, Nidan
Senpai Benjamin started training with Sensei John in 2013. He graded to Shodan 2021 in Dunedin and Nidan 2023 in Mosgiel.
Liam Knotts, Shodan (1st Dan)
Senpai Liam started training with Sensei John in 2013. He graded to Shodan in Dunedin 2021.
From non-IOGKF styles of Goju Ryu
Cheryl Farquhar, Shodan
Senpai Cheryl commenced training in 1997 and graded to Shodan in 2011.