Meet our Instructors
Our senior instructors collectively possess over 150 years of experience in various aspects of Shotokan karate, with each instructor specializing in specific disciplines within the martial art.
Sensei Steve Lakin 6th Dan, was trained for many years under Sensei David Dewhurst (8th Dan) who was taught by Hirokazu Kanazawa. (Kancho – 10th Dan) a student of the father of modern day karate, Gichin Funakoshi.
All of our instructors over the age of 18 years undergo DBS checks every three years to ensure safety and compliance.
Since Steve was awarded his 1st Dan on 12/09/1990 he has trained 32 karateka up to 1st Dan and beyond.
For a full list of Black Belts that Sensei Steve Lakin has trained please see bottom of page.
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Steve Lakin (6th Dan)
Founder of Stafford Shotokan Karate
Official Examiner and Chief Instructor
Began Karate Training in 1980
Training since the age of 18.
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Dan Lakin (6th Dan)
Founder of Stafford Shotokan Karate
Grading Examiner
Began Karate Training in 1999
Training since age 16.
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Sarah Lakin (3rd Dan)
Founder of Stafford Shotokan Karate
Grading Examiner
Started Karate Training in 2012
Training since age 25.
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Ava Daniels (2nd Dan)
SSK Black belt since 02/07/2022
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Hayley Pritchard (2nd Dan)
SSK Black belt since 17/06/2023
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Ethan Berns (2nd Dan)
SSK Black belt since 17/06/2023
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Lola Daniels (1st Dan)
SSK Black belt since 02/07/2022
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Jessica Payne (1st Dan)
SSK Black belt since 17/06/2023
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Mikka Sadhra (1st Dan)
SSK Black belt since 17/06/2023
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Finley Todd
SSK Black belt since 21/06/2025
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Ophelia Todd
SSK Black belt since 21/06/2025
Black Belt Wall of Recognition
1st Dan Award
Neil Young 1st Dan 11/09/1991
Dean Tomlinson 1st Dan 01/11/1995
Mark Bradley 1st Dan 17/06/1998
Dan Lakin 1st Dan 16/11/2002
Harriet Flynn 1st Dan 16/11/2002
Jake Mahal 1st Dan 16/11/2002
David Holland 1st Dan 16/11/2002
Dane McGee 1st Dan 17/04/2004
Emily Hanlon 1st Dan 17/04/2004
Duncan Reilly 1st Dan 10/11/2007
Oliver Ansell 1st Dan 10/05/2008
Hannah Tomlinson 1st Dan 10/05/2008
Courtney Goodey 1st Dan 10/05/2008
Ewan Thomas 1st Dan 09/05/2009
Hannah Morgan 1st Dan 09/05/2009
Sadie Bradley 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Emily Huxley 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Eden Davis 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Henry Purchase 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Alexander Purchase 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Sadie Young 1st Dan 24/04/2010
Sarah Lakin 1st Dan 28/11/2015
Jacob Walters 1st Dan 28/11/2015
Ahmad Maikhail 1st Dan 2016
Ava Daniels 1st Dan 02/07/2022
Lola Daniels 1st Dan 02/07/2022
Hayley Pritchard 1st Dan 17/06/2023
Ethan Berns 1st Dan 17/06/2023
Mikka Sadhra 1st Dan 17/06/2023
Jessica Payne 1st Dan 17/06/2023
Finley Todd 1st Dan 21/06/2025
Ophelia Todd 1st Dan 21/06/2025
2nd Dan – 8th Dan award
Steve Lakin 2nd Dan 04/11/2000 - Promoted
Steve Lakin 3rd Dan 16/11/2002 - Promoted
Dean Tomlinson 2nd Dan 16/11/2002
Mark Bradley 2nd Dan 12/04/2003
Dan Lakin 2nd Dan 22/11/2003
Dean Tomlinson 3rd Dan 13/11/2004
Steve Lakin 4th Dan 30/04/2005 - Promoted
Mark Bradley 3rd Dan 30/04/2005
Dan Lakin 3rd Dan 30/04/2005
Dane McGee 2nd Dan 25/11/2006
Steve Lakin 5th Dan 10/11/2007 - Promoted
Dean Tomlinson 4th Dan 10/11/2007 - Promoted
Mark Bradley 4th Dan 10/11/2007 - Promoted
Dan Lakin 4th Dan 10/11/2007 - Promoted
Duncan Reilly 2nd Dan 20/10/2010
Steve Lakin 6th Dan 24/03/2012 - Promoted
Dean Tomlinson 5th Dan 24/03/2012 - Promoted
Mark Bradley 5th Dan 24/03/2012 - Promoted
Dan Lakin 5th Dan 24/03/2012 - Promoted
Sadie Young 2nd Dan 24/03/2012
Sadie Young 3rd Dan 17/05/2014
Sadie Bradley 2nd Dan 17/05/2014
Sarah Lakin 2nd Dan 02/07/2022
Ava Daniels 2nd Dan 21/06/2025
Hayley Pritchard 2nd Dan 21/06/2025
Ethen Berns 2nd Dan 21/06/2025
Sarah Lakin 3rd Dan 21/06/2025
Dan Lakin 6th Dan 21/06/2025