Founder

ISHINRYU FOUNDER – TICKY DONOVAN OBE 9th Dan

ticky_donovan

Founded 1973

David “Ticky” Donovan O.B.E. 8th Dan W.K.F, combining acquired knowledge from Kyokushinkai, Wadoryu and Shotokan founded the Ishinryu Dojo (meaning “all of one heart”), later being accepted by the English Karate Federation as a style of karate. Sensei Donovan was an accomplished competitor. He was a regular member of the British squad and a member of Britain’s victorious 1975 World Championship team. Individually Sensei Donovan won the British Championships in 1973, 1974 and 1975. In 1976 Sensei Donovan became the English and British team manager and coach. Under Sensei Donovan’s guidance the English and British team dominated World Karate between 1982 to1996 being World Champions every two years, for which in 1991 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire. Ishinryu has dominated the British and English championships since the early eighties both in kumite and kata, producing many male and female World, European, British and English Champions. Many of these successful students have spread across the world and have opened Ishinryu clubs in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Every generation produces Masters of karate, Sensei Ticky has this honor. Sensei has Global recognition as a master coach.