JKS LLANBEDR DC KARATE
Chief instructor
Stuart Needham
4th Dan
Sensei Stu Needham began karate in 1990 at Clwyd Shotokan Karate Academy. This was later renamed Chikara Shotokan Karate Academy when it joined with other clubs in the area.
In 1995 he began his competition career competing in the Welsh Championships coming 3rd in Kumite.
He continued his career winning many national and International Championships with his highest achievement being KWF European Kumite Champion following an impressive performance at the Championships in Italy.
He has graded in front of some of the World's Best instructors, obtaining his 3rd Dan in 2003 in Japan at the opening ceremony of KWF HQ. He is currently 4th Dan Black belt which he attained in 2007, again with a panel of top level instructors.
He has trained with a large number of instructors from all over the world during his time studying the art, visiting Japan Hombu Dojo's on two occasions.
Stu enjoys teaching Karate to people of all ages and takes a huge amount of pride from watching students develop and improve.
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Assistant chief instructor
Phil Manning
3rd Dan
Sensei Phil Manning started training in 1984 at Flint Karate Club under the direction of Sensei Andy Painter. He too joined Chikara Shotokan Karate Academy when the clubs amalgamated.
Phil began competing at a young age and has had an extremely successful competitive career. Below are just a couple of his achievements. He has competed at numerous national and international events including the 2007 KWF World Championships in Japan.
Phil fought alongside Stu in the 2008 KWF European Championships where the team came second in the senior kumite.
In 2016 Phil had an impressive performance at the JSKA UK National Championships where he won the senior kumite and was placed in the kata and team kata event, culminating in his being the competition's overall champion.
Phil was successful in attaining his 3rd Dan in 2018.
Phil is not only a successful club instructor, he also runs a sport massage business and assists those in the club with any injuries/mobility issues that they may face. Phil brings a vast amount of his rehab knowledge in to the way he coaches, which certainly assists all at the club.
"I like teaching, it's great to be a part of students' progression in their skills, but more so the confidence that builds every time they come into the Dojo" - Phil Manning
Instructor
Ryan Moore
3rd Dan JKS
Sensei Ryan Moore started karate when he was six, and joined JKS Llanbedr DC in 2019.
Ryan attained his 2nd Dan in 2014 and his 3rd Dan in June 2024.
Ryan began competing during his early teens and has competed frequently ever since, both nationally and internationally.
His most recent achievement, winning the WKGB Welsh Open in senior Kata making him the Welsh Kata Champion.
Alongside competing, Ryan also enjoys teaching karate to people of all ages and seeing progression in their karate.'