The Instructors

Liam started training in karate in 1989 in DCU In 1993, he was awarded his 1st dan by Masao Kawasoe Sensei (8th dan, JKA). In 2001, Liam moved to Japan where he lived for a year, training in the Japan Karate Association’s headquarters in Tokyo. Here he had the opportunity to train regularly under some of the most highly regarded shotokan instructors in the world. In 2024 he obtained his JKA 6th dan  from  Kawasoe Sensei. In addition to his traditional training, Liam has represented Ireland several times at European and World Championship level in both kata and kumite. Liam is also a contributor to Shotokan Karate Magazine a JKA-SI kyu grading examiner.

After a brief introduction to Kenpo, Fran kicked off his Shotokan career in DCU Karate Club in 1990. 

He received his 1st dan from Masao Kawasoe Sensei (8th dan, JKA) in 1996, and in 2024 received his 6th dan, again from Kawasoe Sensei.

In order to maintain his karate skills, Fran travels regularly to partake in international training camps with world renowned instructors.  This includes  visits to the the JKA honbu dojo (world HQ) in Tokyo.

Fran is the General Secretary of JKA Shotokan Ireland and is also a JKA-SI kyu grading examiner.