Kevin Thurlow 6th Dan
ESKK Chief Instructor and Chairman
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The Chief Instructor of the ESKK, Kevin Thurlow 6 th Dan is an experienced instructor with over 30 years of training experience. Kevin started training in 1977 with Pauline Bindra Sensei (8 th Dan) – the first ever lady to obtain black belt in the UK and also the most senior female instructor outside of Japan, at one of her Shotokan clubs in Bexleyheath (Kent) where he trained for a short while.
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Following on from this, Kevin moved to a Dojo within the Goshin Ryu Karate Association – a Shotokan based group, headed up in the UK , by Allen Moules Sensei (5 th Dan). Kevins’ regular day-to-day Sensei who trained him up to 4 th Dan, was a man called Graham Brooks who in 2007 sadly lost his long battle against cancer and passed away.
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Kevin Sensei and good friend, Colin Putt Sensei 6th Dan
In the late 90’s Kevin decided to join a group following the more traditional way of the JKA and Nakayama Sensei. After looking at a number of associations Kevin and his students joined Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International (SSKI) headed by Malcolm Phipps Sensei (7 th Dan). Malcolm Sensei was an excellent influence on Kevin and taught him a great deal.
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Kevin with his previous Sensei - Malcolm Phipps 7th Dan
It was through Malcolm Sensei and the SSKI that Kevin went onto become an International Instructor, Examiner and Judge with the World Traditional Karate Organisation (WTKO).
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Kevin in New York with WTKO Chief Instructor, Richard Amos Sensei 6th Dan (left) and WTKO Executive Director, John Mullin 7th Dan (right)
In 2007, for personal reasons, Kevin made the difficult decision to leave SSKI and form his own association, concentrating on traditional JKA Shotokan Karate. Hence the ESKK was born. Kevins’ karate has gone from strength to strength, producing a number of high standard black- belts, some of which have gone on to be excellent Dojo Sensei. In addition on the competition side of Karate, Kevin has also produced World as well as National Champions.
Kevin also trains and teaches traditional Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) along side his Karate.
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Within the ESKK, Kevin holds the following positions:
Chairman and Chief Instructor
Instructor and Examiner - A-Class
International Referee
Kevin is also Chairman of Traditional Karate Great Britain and a fellow of the International Shotokan-Ryu Karate-Do Shihankai (ISKS)
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Kevin Sensei with his ISKS Fellowship (Saiko Shihan - "International Master") certificate
During his Karate career, Kevin has had the privilage to train with a number of senior Shotokan Sensei such as Kanazawa Sensei 10th Dan, the late Enoeda Sensei 9th Dan, Pauline Bindra Sensei 8th Dan, Malcolm Phipps Sensei 7th Dan, Steve Uble Sensei, Terry O'Neill Sensei 7th Dan, John Mullin Sensei 7th Dan, Colin Putt Sensei 6th Dan, Ohta Sensei 6th Dan, Richard Amos 6th Dan... and many more.
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Kevin Sensei with Master Kanazawa 10th Dan (centre) and his mother, left. |
Kevin Sensei with Ohta Sensei 6th Dan - Chief Instructor for the JKA in England |