top of page
Dave_Header.jpg
Club Badge Transparent.png

ABOUT KEIKOBA SHUKOKAI & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR DAVE BOWLER-HACHI DAN 8TH DEGREE
51 years service 

A brief history to a long and exceptional karate accomplishment.

Dave%2520Bowler_edited_edited.png

Keikoba (Place of training): In modern Japan, Ono-ha-Itto-ryu is typically practiced inside a dojo, while demostrations for the public often takes place outdoor. By contrast the Kenjutsu in the old Japan was practiced outside where footwork and the terrain demanded the exponents attention. In order to maintain the old tradition and the old style of Ono-ha-Itto-ryu, Egedal Keikoba is only practiced in the open. Due to the weather conditions in the winter season, it is neither responsible nor safe to train in the open.

Hence, Keikoba Karate was formed in 1981 after Sensei Dave Bowler was graded and promoted with his 1st Degree  black belt diploma. Dave's professionally run clubs now offer training for beginners to advanced, for children from 6 years, teenagers, adults and families. Training is structured by an official Keikoba grading syllabus, from which students learn and attain a worldwide accepted official grading measured by a coloured belt system.

​

About Sensei: Sensei Dave started training in the art of Wado Ryu in 1974, gaining 7th kyu grade. He changed his style in 1976 after reading an advert in the local paper "Learn Shukokai Karate" with a well known instructor, Sensei  Roy Elden 6th Dan, and since joining he has never looked back, gaining black belt status and beyond.


Sensei carried on training with Roy for many years until he retired, then shortly after his retirement Roy sadly past away on 29th August 2013 .

Throughout Sensei's training, he has been on many seminars with some of the UK's elite instructors Ticky Donavan, Roy Stanhope, Stan Knighton, Dave Warburton,Terry Pottage, Eddie Daniels, Peter Spanton, John Smith, Shigeru Kimura, Yoshinao Nanbu 10th Dan. (Aikido):- John Colclough, Duncan Valentine, Chris Norburn.  Sensei started to take an interest in competitions, and was selected to train with the SKU squad under the guidance of Stan Knighton in the late 70's to the late 80's. He competed in many inter club, national and open competitions gaining trophies in individuals and team events. After retiring  from competing due to injuries, Sensei then found his next goal, to become a Kumite referee under the guidance of ex-SKU Chief Referee, Brian Smith 3rd Degree. After two years as a judge in1982 he was proudly awarded with his SKU referee status. In 1986 Sensei was selected to officiate for the English Karate Governing Board, then after judging for four years, he was promoted to Referee by the late SKU & EKGB Chief Referee Dave Warburton and his assistant Brian Hammond.

 

In 1992 sensei wanted to gain more knowledge within martial arts, so he joined an Aikido club run by Sensei Chris    Norburn. After training for two years and gaining three grades, Sensei returned  back to his roots "Karate."                
Sensei Dave bowler - Shukokai achievements

1979 -  Shukokai Karate Union, Chesterfield interclub, 1st place in Senior kumite individuals.  

 1980 - Han-Do- Kai Interclub, Brown belt kumite individuals 2nd place, also 2nd best club student of the year,         Shukokai Karate Union, Southern area championships , 3rd place in kumite team Han-Do-Kai.

    

1981 - Shodan 1st Dan grading, Shukokai competition judge award for kumite and kata.

1982- Shukokai Competition referee award, North Staffs v South Cheshire inter club, 2nd place in black belt individuals and team for North Staffs. 

1984 - Nidan 2nd Dan grading.

1986 - English Karate Board competition judge award for kumite and kata.

1987 -Sandan 3rd Dan grading.

1990 - English Karate Board competition referee award for kumite and kata.

1991- Yondan 4th Dan awarded for loyal referee service with the Shukokai karate Union and English Karate Board.

1996 - Shukokai Karate Union red licence awarded for 20 years loyal service.

1997 - Godan 5th Dan grading.

2001 Shukokai Karate Union National championships, Premier official of the day award.

2003 - Rokudan 6th Dan awarded.

2004 - English Karate Board Great Britain, registered instructor for national governing body awards.

2005 - Finalist in the Karate coaching section for the Evening Sentinal awards in Stoke-on-Trent.

2010 - Shichidan 7th Dan awarded.

2016 - Shukokai karate Union gold licence awarded for 40 years loyal service.

2018 - Hachidan 8th Dan awarded.

1974 - 2024  - 50th anniversary of Karate. 

2027- Kudan 9th Dan to be awarded for 53 years service.

Sensei's proudest moments from teaching, are with his daughter Jade gaining 2nd degree, son Jordan 5th degree,

 16 years old grandson Lennon graded to 3rd degree black belt status in September 2024.

As well as being a full time professional instructor teaching at two dojo's, sensei holds numerous prominent positions with the Keikoba Shukokai group.

Founder / Chief instructor Keikoba Shukokai - Hachidan 8th Degree ( 51 years service).
Senior Instructor on kyu grades and instructor courses.
Self defence / awareness instructor, Enhanced level DBS taken.

Emergency first aid trained.  Keikoba instructor assessor.

Senior Keikoba tatami kumite & kata referee, English Karate Board senior kumite referee.

Truly a remarkable accomplishment.

Latest news:  October 2020 - Sensei Dave and his Keikoba group have decided to leave the Shukokai Karate Union for further development , and have now formed their own independent karate group - Keikoba Shukokai.

 ©2020 by Keikoba Shukokai Karate Web design by Mark Hudson           

Our team of instructors are required to keep a very high standard of karate that Keikoba demands. You have to meet certain criteria before they can be qualified.
Guidelines are set out below.

*Require a black or brown grade, ages from 13 years old.
*Require a current up to date Keikoba licence, which is renewed every twelve months.
*Require a current DBS disclosure & barring service check. From 18 years old and above.
*Require a current emergency first aid certificate which is renewed every three years.
*Require Instructor's professional indemnity insurance, from 18 years old and above, renewed every twelve months.
*Be up to date with our instructor procedures and child protection policies.
*Should attend  at least two of our Free four compulsory kyu grades and instructor's courses each year. 

Keikoba first aider's : Dave Bowler, Nick Browning, Jordan Bowler, Geoff Colclough, Sally Goldstraw, Amelia Taylor
Lennon Steele, Isaac Colclough, Cameron Johnson, Emily Cartlidge.

Instructors : Sensei Dave Bowler 8th Dan, Chief Instructor and founder with 51 years service, kyu and black belt Chief grading officer , head of technical committee, instructor assessor.

Sensei Nick Browning 6th Dan, assistant Chief Instructor with over 23 years service ,red licence holder,          senior kumite and kata referee, kyu and  black belt grading officer, grading assessor.

Sensei Jordan Bowler 5th Dan  with over 22 years service, red licence holder, senior kumite and kata referee,
kyu and black belt grading officer, grading assessor.    

Sensei Geoff Colclough 5th Dan with over 23 years service, red licence holder, senior kumite and kata referee,
kyu and black belt grading officer, grading assessor.

Club instructor's  Amelia Taylor, Scarlett Taylor, Lennon Steele, Sally Goldstraw 3rd Dan,                               
Issac Colclough - 2nd Dan.                                                                           
Trainee junior instructor  Emily Cartlidge - 2nd kyu brown grade.
Trainee cadet instructor  Henry Hinton - 1st Dan.
When you choose our clubs to train with, you can be assured that you will learn a truly traditional Shukokai style, taught by our instructor's whom have proven and continue to do so, effectively, safely, responsibly to a very high standard.

bottom of page