Sensei Valman began his martial arts journey in 1977 at the Chingford Judo Club (BJA). At the age of 14, after witnessing a powerful demonstration by the legendary Enoeda Sensei, he was inspired to pursue Karate and joined the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB). His early training took place in some of London’s most iconic dojos, including Marshall Street, the Oasis Sports Centre, and Seymour Leisure Centre, under the guidance of Enoeda Sensei, Ohta Sensei, and many other esteemed instructors from the KUGB and JKA.
Throughout the 1980s, Sensei Valman traveled across the UK, training with top clubs such as the Red Triangle in Liverpool and with Kawasoe Sensei in Shepherd’s Bush. His dedication to continuous improvement took him around the world, where he sought out some of the finest instructors in traditional Karate, including Yamazaki Sensei, Kanazawa Sensei, T. Okuyama Sensei, Kagawa Sensei, and many others. These experiences greatly enriched his technical knowledge and teaching philosophy.
Sensei Valman has taught in numerous clubs both in the UK and internationally. He is a dedicated martial artist who has also explored and trained in various other disciplines, including Judo, Jujitsu, Kempo, and multiple Karate styles. He holds Dan grades in Shotokai Karate and Judo, and has extensively studied several traditional and modern martial arts systems.
In 2001, Sensei Valman transitioned to teaching martial arts full time, sharing his wealth of knowledge with students of all ages and abilities. He has worked extensively in specialist schools, using martial arts as a tool for personal development and empowerment, especially for children and adults with unique needs.
In 2017, he was awarded his 6th Dan by a senior panel of instructors, a grade formally signed by Hanshi Jo Biggs at “the farm.” Most recently, in 2024, he was awarded his 7th Dan by the World Kobudo Association in recognition of his lifelong dedication to training, teaching, and service to the martial arts community.
SKDA INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Valman 7th Dan
Sensei Ramlakhan 5th Dan
Senior Instructor | Practical Karate & Self-Defence Specialist
Sensei Ramlakhan began his martial arts journey in 1998 under Sensei Ray Keeble at the Walthamstow Karate Ryu Dojo, a member of the World Kobudo Federation. His early training focused on practical Karate, Japanese Jujitsu, and traditional Okinawan weapons. Through dedication and intense practice, he achieved his Shodan (1st Dan) black belt in 2001.
Over the years, Sensei Ramlakhan has expanded his martial arts knowledge by training in Ishin Ryu Karate, Aikido, Ju Jitsu, and Shotokai Karate, further deepening his understanding of both traditional and modern martial disciplines.
He joined the Shotokan Karate-Do Alliance (SKDA) in 2003 and became a club instructor in 2005. His rank progression reflects his continued commitment and expertise:
2nd Dan – 2007
3rd Dan –
4th Dan – 2019
5th Dan – 2024 (awarded after a one-year assessment period)
In addition to his Karate background, Sensei Ramlakhan is also a certified Level 4 Senior Instructor in KAPAP (Krav Panim el Panim) and Krav Maga, under the British KAPAP Association, part of the Global KAPAP Network. His approach to teaching emphasizes real-world self-defence, drawing from both traditional martial arts and modern combatives.
Sensei currently teaches Practical Karate and Self-Defence at his club in Walthamstow, where he continues to mentor students with a focus on discipline, effectiveness, and personal development.
Sensei Ramlakhan began his martial arts journey in 1998 under Sensei Ray Keeble at the Walthamstow Karate Ryu Dojo, a member of the World Kobudo Federation. His early training focused on practical Karate, Japanese Jujitsu, and traditional Okinawan weapons. Through dedication and intense practice, he achieved his Shodan (1st Dan) black belt in 2001.
Over the years, Sensei Ramlakhan has expanded his martial arts knowledge by training in Ishin Ryu Karate, Aikido, Ju Jitsu, and Shotokai Karate, further deepening his understanding of both traditional and modern martial disciplines.
He joined the Shotokan Karate-Do Alliance (SKDA) in 2003 and became a club instructor in 2005. His rank progression reflects his continued commitment and expertise:
In addition to his Karate background, Sensei Ramlakhan is also a certified Level 4 Senior Instructor in KAPAP (Krav Panim el Panim) and Krav Maga, under the British KAPAP Association, part of the Global KAPAP Network. His approach to teaching emphasizes real-world self-defence, drawing from both traditional martial arts and modern combatives.
Sensei currently teaches Practical Karate and Self-Defence at his club in Walthamstow, where he continues to mentor students with a focus on discipline, effectiveness, and personal development.
Sensei Powell 2nd Dan
Sensei Alvin began his martial arts journey in the 1990s under the guidance of Hanshi Peter Brown, training in the Kempo Jujitsu self-defence system. During this time, he trained alongside Sensei Adrian, who was also a dedicated student of Hanshi Peter.
Around the year 2000, Sensei Alvin encouraged Sensei Adrian to establish his own club—an important step in both their martial arts paths. Fittingly, Sensei Alvin became Sensei Adrian’s first student, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their shared journey.
In 2009, Sensei Alvin earned his 1st Dan black belt. Not long after, he developed a deep passion for understanding the true application of kata techniques. Rather than simply performing movements by rote, he committed himself to uncovering the deeper meanings behind each technique. This led him to spend countless hours researching, analysing, and interpreting the practical applications of kata.
Motivated by this pursuit, Sensei Alvin undertook the study of all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, deepening his knowledge while continuing regular training to refine his skill and insight.
In 2023, he achieved his 2nd Dan and now looks forward to the journey toward his 3rd Dan.
At the beginning of 2024, Sensei Alvin launched his own Shojujitsu club, operating under the guidance and structure of Sensei Adrian, continuing the legacy of dedication, learning, and growth.
Around the year 2000, Sensei Alvin encouraged Sensei Adrian to establish his own club—an important step in both their martial arts paths. Fittingly, Sensei Alvin became Sensei Adrian’s first student, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their shared journey.
In 2009, Sensei Alvin earned his 1st Dan black belt. Not long after, he developed a deep passion for understanding the true application of kata techniques. Rather than simply performing movements by rote, he committed himself to uncovering the deeper meanings behind each technique. This led him to spend countless hours researching, analysing, and interpreting the practical applications of kata.
Motivated by this pursuit, Sensei Alvin undertook the study of all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, deepening his knowledge while continuing regular training to refine his skill and insight.
In 2023, he achieved his 2nd Dan and now looks forward to the journey toward his 3rd Dan.
At the beginning of 2024, Sensei Alvin launched his own Shojujitsu club, operating under the guidance and structure of Sensei Adrian, continuing the legacy of dedication, learning, and growth.
Sensei Burton 1st Dan
Sensei Burton began his martial arts journey at the age of 18, when a friend offered to teach him a few Karate techniques behind his shop. That small gesture sparked a lifelong passion. Not long after, he started training formally under his friend’s instructor at the Walthamstow Karate Ryu — a self-defence-focused style of Shotokan Karate blended with elements of Jujitsu, designed to offer greater control over opponents.
While attending university, Sensei expanded his horizons by joining the Taekwondo club. His love for martial arts grew into a deep commitment to cross-training, seeking every opportunity to learn from friends, clubs, and practitioners across a variety of styles. His journey was driven by a desire to understand not just the techniques, but the underlying principles and applications behind them.
Over time, a particular question became his obsession: What was the real purpose behind the kata he had spent years practicing? This question ignited a passion for research that would define the next phase of his martial arts path.
To dig deeper into Karate’s roots, Sensei began training in a Tiger-Crane Combination Kung Fu system — a close cousin to the White Crane style that heavily influenced early Karate. Alongside his training, he poured himself into books, videos, and online resources, tirelessly studying the origins, meanings, and practical applications of kata.
Determined to fully explore the classical art, Sensei set out to learn all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, while continuing to spar and train with as many partners and instructors as possible.
In 2019, after years of dedicated practice, Sensei Burton was awarded his 1st Dan black belt by Sensei Valman (7th Dan, SKDA), under whom he had begun training full-time prior to the pandemic. He continues to train regularly and is currently preparing for his 2nd Dan grading.
While attending university, Sensei expanded his horizons by joining the Taekwondo club. His love for martial arts grew into a deep commitment to cross-training, seeking every opportunity to learn from friends, clubs, and practitioners across a variety of styles. His journey was driven by a desire to understand not just the techniques, but the underlying principles and applications behind them.
Over time, a particular question became his obsession: What was the real purpose behind the kata he had spent years practicing? This question ignited a passion for research that would define the next phase of his martial arts path.
To dig deeper into Karate’s roots, Sensei began training in a Tiger-Crane Combination Kung Fu system — a close cousin to the White Crane style that heavily influenced early Karate. Alongside his training, he poured himself into books, videos, and online resources, tirelessly studying the origins, meanings, and practical applications of kata.
Determined to fully explore the classical art, Sensei set out to learn all the kata from Gichin Funakoshi’s original syllabus, while continuing to spar and train with as many partners and instructors as possible.
In 2019, after years of dedicated practice, Sensei Burton was awarded his 1st Dan black belt by Sensei Valman (7th Dan, SKDA), under whom he had begun training full-time prior to the pandemic. He continues to train regularly and is currently preparing for his 2nd Dan grading.