Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
05
Jul
The Great Ouseburn karate coach preparing for the world championships
From a little-noticed community hall in Great Ouseburn, a karate instructor is making a big impact.
Shaun Bushby, 41, is a Sensei for the International Japan Karate Association (IJKA). Backed by the IJKA, he runs his own dojo - the Shaun Bushby Karate Academy.
Having started at age six, Bushby was a first dan black belt by age 11. Watching The Karate Kid as a child drew him to the sport.
Thirty years later, after taking an extensive break to pursue a career in Flat Jockeying, he is now a third dan and runs his own dojo.
The sensei started his journey under the mentorship of the accomplished Shihan, Sadashige Kato.
Sadashige Kato Shihan founded the IJKA and was a driving force in increasing karate’s global presence.
Shihan means ‘master instructor’ and is usually awarded to people of fifth dan or higher. Kato Shihan was 10th dan at the time of his passing in 2020.
Sensei Bushby said that if it wasn’t for the Shihan, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
At 11 years old, Bushby had been selected to represent GB at the world championships in Japan. He came eighth out of 200 people in his first tournament.
Still competing today, the sensei has won over 100 medals.
Shaun Bushby (bottom middle) with some of his medals.
So why did he decide to become an instructor? Bushby said:
[During my hiatus] my wife said to me ‘why don’t you set your own karate club up?’ I had a lot of doubts. ‘Will I be good enough? Can I pass on my achievements?’
But we’ve now created a national champion, been to the European Championships and have been invited to the world championships. From the five competitions we’ve been to, we’ve brought back around 20 medals between around 14 students. I look back to thinking if I was good enough and think I must be doing something right!
Bushby’s daughter, Amy, will be fighting alongside her dad at the world championships in Japan.
The 14-year-old won gold at the national championships in Birmingham last year.
Shaun Bushby watches on as Amy Bushby (right) competes.
Bushby said that he would be selecting six-to-eight of his best students to represent the dojo in Japan in November. He added “you need really good students” to compete there.
The black belt did not hesitate to express his pride in his dojo, saying that receiving an invitation to the world championships “means everything”.
The Great Ouseburn students will face competitors from all over the world, including Japan – the birth nation of karate.
Whilst conceding that his students will be tested, the third dan black belt said that they would be ready for it. He added that they will be trained hard to ensure they don’t get hurt.
Great Ouseburn may be a small fish in a big pond in Japan, but Sensei Bushby and his students will hope to make a big splash.
0