Curriculum Vitae

Jim Wood MBE Brief CV:

Started his Karate career in Scotland in September 1967. Trained in Chitoryu style for 3yrs then joined the Japan Karate Association after an introduction to the late K. Enoeda Sensei in 1970.

He formed the JKA Fife Shotokan Karate Centre in Scotland in 1970, which held an unbeaten track record in competitions for many years. The winning trophies and medals were displayed in the Carnegie Centre Dojo in Dunfermline Scotland. The affiliated Dojos and membership steadily grew to the largest JKA group in Scotland and his reputation as a hard task master in the Dojo spread quickly.

Designed and built the first renowned, authentic, custom Dojo in Dunfermline Scotland "WOOD DOJO" which was officially opened in 1991 by Masters Enoeda Sensei deceased, Tabata Sensei deceased, and K. Tsuyama Sensei who was the top instructor from the famous Takushoku university Karate club in Japan. To mark this occasion, Jim was presented with a specially commissioned framed certificate from the famous sensei, translated means brothers in Karate -Do. On an invitation only basis, he trained under Professor K. Tsuyama as a guest at the famous Takushoku University Karate club in Tokyo Japan this was an experience he will never forget!

Studied with the Japan Karate Association for nearly forty years, thirty three years of which were with the late K. Enoeda Sensei who awarded Jim with a certificate for his dedication to JKA Karate and holding the unbroken record of training 50 residential Crystal Palace London Gasshukus. Crystal Palace Sports Centre London was the European Technical centre for JKA examinations.

Expanded to many more regions in Scotland and formed the East of Scotland Karate Association (ESKA) in 1985, which produced many quality international competitors, many of his students are still training today, and have went on to be very successful in their own organisations.

Former Chairman, Senior Instructor and a founder member of JKA Scotland since 1985, was responsible for the largest JKA organisation in Scotland and the largest JKA organised Gasshukus.

A former executive and member of the technical committee of the Scottish Karate Board the Governing body of Karate for Scotland, and gained high levels in coaching accreditations. Received a coaching award from SKB Chairman a few years prior to leaving for Australia in 2001. Worked closely with the Police and local authorities after the tragedy of Dunblane Scotland school children, and was responsible for many documented changes in child care and protection in and around Dojos, which still exist today.

Awarded "Services to Sport" trophy from Dunfermline District Council Scotland.

Awarded "Services to Sport" trophy from Clackmannan District Sports Council Scotland.

Awarded "Services to Sport" trophy from Mandurah District Sports Council Western Australia 2005, 2006, and runner up 2007.

Coached his own Dojo ladies Kata team to become British all styles Team Kata Champions gaining 1st place gold medal at the Kelvin Hall Glasgow. Kata Chinte.

Working closely with JKAHQ was recently responsible for the setting up of the first two independent JKA organisations in Scotland in 2004, presently a consultant for the JKAWFS Scotland Karate organisation.

Was awarded an engraved trophy from the late H.Okomoto Sensei 8th Dan Arab states in 2004, in the presence of Master Ueki Sensei and the JKAWFS committee, in recognition of his major contribution of pioneering the success of JKA Scotland.

Competed in all events, Kata, Kumite, and Team, in the 1st JKA Shoto world Cup in Japan in 1985 representing Great Britain. Competed in 1992 for Scotland in all events in the JKA World Shoto Cup in Osaka Japan. Coach and manager for JKA Scotland in most European championships for over 20 years and qualified referee/Judge at 3 JKA World Cup championships.

Honored as a "Member of the British Empire" in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II birthday honors list in 1999 for "Services to Karate". at Buckingham Palace London, where the late K. Enoeda Sensei was Jim's special guest.

For many years trained and tested at the highest level at the JKAHQ in Japan, and holds the following licence accreditations:

• Rank of 6th Dan
• A Class Instructor
• A Class Referee
• B Class Examiner
• Special Rights licence holder for Australia

At the April 2009 JKAHQ Gasshuku he was successful for the third term, in passing a Special Rights licence renewal examination. These examinations were conducted by Masters Sugiura the Chief Instructor of JKA, Ueki, Tanaka, Osaka, and Mr. N. Nakahara. Only 20 Instructors world-wide outside of the Japanese Instructors have achieved this top award. After taking into consideration his 10 year residence in Australia and now an Australian citizen, the JKAHQ transferred his grading rights licence from Scotland to Australia.

This prestigious honor from the JKA will allow him to grade up to the rank of SHODAN in Australia, commencing officially on July 1st 2009. This is a very historical achievement for another qualified examiner to grade to a JKA Shodan in Australia. With his special rights licence, he has graded over 75 students internationally to official JKA SHODAN Black Belt level.

He has proudly trained his students to become Australian JKA champions who have been placed in the medals at most levels in local and national competitions. One girl student was selected for the JKA national team and fought well in the 2006 JKA Shoto World Cup in Sydney.

Chairman of the first independant JKA group newly formed organisation in Australia, which has its own custom built HQ JKA Dojo.

Currently teaching on Gasshukus internationally alongside top JKAHQ instructors, and always a regular visitor to the JKAHQ gasshukus in Japan.

Karate DO "A way of Life"