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A lifetime dedicated to Traditional Wadō-Ryū Karate-dō
About Lenard (Len) jay Renshi
Len began his martial arts journey in Kung Fu in Birmingham, West Midlands, UK in the 1960s, during the initial martial arts boom in the UK.
In the 1970s Len switched to train under the legendary Toru having private lessons at the famous Tempe Karate Dojo in Digbeth. After private lessons Len would stay for the tough Monday night class at the dojo which is where me met many of the Karateka that would become lifelong friends; including Vickerman Renshi and Eugene Codringon.
Respected as a good exponent of Wado Karate but also as a true gentleman, Len began to raise through the ranks and by the 1990s was a 5th Dan under the Wado Academy and Shiomitsu Sensei 9th Dan Hanshi
Len has always run clubs and is passionate about teaching and developing the next generation of Karateka, he has trained tirelessly for over 60 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
During the 80s, 90s and 2000s Len was a top-class referee, traveling all over the country and Europe to judge competitions at the highest level
In 2006 Len was awarded the rank 6th Dan by Shiomitsu Sensei, alongside his long-time friend and training partner Roger Vikerman Renshi. This recognised their dedication, technical excellence, and long-term contribution to Wado Ryu Karate in the UK.
In 2025 Len was awarded the title Renshi (instructor of instructors) by the Wado Academy under the Renmei led by Ohsuka III in Japan.