My martial arts history and my motivations for choosing Shorinji Kempo - Paul Hughes South Wimbledon Shorinji Kempo.

From junior School age in the 1970’s I had wanted to learn a martial art. After Watching the Japanese TV show “Money Magic.” I knew I wanted to learn martial arts and I was inadvertently introduced to Zen Buddhism. I was very weak as a child and didn’t really enjoy very competitive western sports but knew I wanted to be strong and learn to fight back.

Living near Bedford in the 80’s it was an obvious choice to choose Karate which was really booming at that time. So at age 15 I started learning Shotokan Karate with Sensei John Van Weenen MBE. 8th DAN . I was really inspired by that great man and my martial arts journey had begun. After just a year of TASK Shotokan Karate I started to diversify training briefly in Lau Gar Kung Fu/Chinese KickBoxing before being sent off to boarding School for my A levels.

Soft beats hard, hard destroys soft. At Monkton Combe School just outside Bath I was very lucky to train in Judo under Sensei Peter Thatcher 8th DAN. This is when I realized the importance of grappling and the important balance between striking with throwing. From 1989 onwards I was constantly looking for ways to balance my training. Judo is a truly excellent system.

After Monkton I studied at College in Bristol and really started to diversify. I briefly returned to Shotokan Karate before taking up Kyudokai, a mix of Goju Ryu Karate and Aikido. That was with Sensei Jonny Finch. 4th DAN. About the same time I was learning Contact Karate and Iaido which I really enjoyed. I also trained briefly in Wing Chung and Ki Aikido. I really enjoyed this eclectic collection of martial arts. It helped to give me a good overview of what was out there at the time. A very early experiment into mixed martial arts/MMA.

Ju Jutsu/Ju Jitsu/ Jitsu federation. 90’s Jujitsu boom. I knew from Sensei Peter Thatcher that Judo and Jujitsu were extremely effective and decided to give Jujitsu, JITSU federation, a go training under Sensei Rod Chapman at Bath Sports Centre. 1998-2003.This was an amazing time for me with many highs and lows. The lows made me look for something more authentically Japanese with grappling/striking and importantly meditation and sound philosophy.

SHORINJI KEMPO, now age 30 I was craving a martial art which would allow me to train in Japan. I wanted a system that was a mixed martial art but I also preferred the philosophy of traditional Japan. While traveling in Japan in the mid 90’s I trained briefly at a police Dojo then through a Japanese friend discovered Nippon SHORINJI KEMPO. Living in Bath, my nearest SHORINJI KEMPO dojo was at Bristol University, I decided to take the plunge, training 3 times a week and attending weekend seminars/ gashuku. Also training and travelling several times in Japan. Sensei’s Dav. Spilling and Sensei Mike Saddler 5th Dan had a huge influence on my whole life. I was so happy SHORINJI KEMPO had everything I was looking for! I graded for first Dan/SHODAN on 4thAugust 2007, passing with flying colours!

On the 31st of March 2009 I moved to London, Finchley Road. I started learning to Box at “left hook” boxing gym then returned to SHORINJI KEMPO training under Sensei Jee 6th Dan after being invited by a good friend. Sensei Jee started teaching JUGO KEN and I moved to Tooting Broadway due to work. I trained in traditional Ju-Jutsu/Ju-Jitsu at Tooting leisure centre. London Ju-Jitsu. I really enjoy training with those guys for 6 months.

Returning the fold… BSKF/IKA SHORINJI KEMPO under Grand Master Sensei Mizuno 8th DAN at Mayfair Dojo. Training under Grand Master Sensei Mizuno was without debt the pinnacle of my SHORINJI KEMPO career. It had been my ambition to train under Sensei Mizuno since I first started in 2003. Sensei Mizuno founded the BSKF in 1974 and is famous around the world for his incredible Shorinji Kempo skill, dedication to the original teachings and for his excellent character. I still train at his old dojo, now Marylebone Shorinji Kempo Dojo, on Tuesday evening. Sensei Mizuno is now semi-retired and Marylebone Shorinji Kempo Dojo is run by Sensei Jeremy Peakin. I help with instruction there.

On the Sunday 16th of October 2016 South Wimbledon Shorinji Kempo branch was founded! Founded by myself Branch Master Paul Hughes. Officially named Wimbledon Shorinji Kempo Dojo, it took the name SOUTH WIMBLEDON SHORINJI KEMPO DOJO. This was the realization of an ambition that went back to my early karate training in the 80’s, to become a Sensei and have my own Dojo! After a very popular opening class numbers started to grow. My Dojo South Wimbledon Shorinji Kempo Dojo. Is now one of the most popular SHORINJI KEMPO branches in the Country with Students coming from all over London to train. A real success story!