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Chief Instructor
John D Robertson began training in Jiu-Jitsu with the Kirkby
Jiu-Jitsu association in 1972. His reasons for following
Jiu-Jitsu came after severe and prolonged bullying at school
and it was decided that he needed something to boost his
self esteem and at the same time equip him to defend
himself. During his time studying Jiu-Jitsu John also studied
Shotokan Karate with Sensei Jack Tilley after a number of
his friends introduced him to the delights of Kumite
(Sparring). After leaving school John went into college and
also into a management career which saw him travel the
length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
During this time John continued his training in Various
Do-Jo's throughout the country continuing to study both
Jiu-Jitsu and Shotokan Karate. Eventually John took up a
position as an assistant instructor in a Self-Defence class
in South Manchester. During this time he again trained with
several talented instructors and honed his skills in
Shotokan Karate. Having already attained Black Belt standard
John looked at incorporating the powerful strikes and kicks
of Shotokan Karate into the Syllabus of Jiu-Jitsu which he
taught. This marriage of Shotokan with Jiu-Jitsu has proven
to be a very effective and productive union which has thus
far seen over 5000 students train with Bushido Martial Arts
during it's 17 year history.
In addition to this John was
tempted into the Freestyle Circuits by Sensei Roy Stanhope
whilst John was a member of U.K.A.S.K.O. This foray into
competitive karate was again a major influence in the
shaping of the Bushido Martial Arts of Today. Turning
professional in the early 1990's John took up a membership
with a freestyle association. During this membership John
studied and learned much more on the Freestyle Karate
eventually attaining 3rd Dan Grades in Jiu-Jitsu and
Freestyle Karate. Unfortunately several bouts of serious
illness forced John to cut back severely on his training.
This eventually led to John joining long term friend Master
Andrew Morrell F.I.K.M.
Today Bushido Martial Arts is a much more polished and
refined academy. With syllabus' offered in Jiu-Jitsu,
Shotokan Karate and Freestyle Karate. Bushido has established itself as a true
Mixed Martial Arts Academy. With the bulk of instruction now
in the very capable hands of Sensei Steve Barber, Sensei Sion Howells and Sensei Conor McGirr,
John D Robertson now takes on the role of advising his
Senior Instructors and assisting with the development of the
various projects Bushido is currently involved in.
As Bushido develops and new challenges arise John is more
and more involved in implementing legal requirements and
ensuring that the needs of all those training with Bushido
are fully met. With the vital help and assistance of his
wife Elizabeth Robertson who fills the role of Child
Protection Officer John is instrumental in implementing new
policies and government guidelines. Working with and
alongside the team of Instructors John provides the
leadership and community links vital to the future growth
and success of Bushido Martial Arts.
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