Instructors
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS
GAVIN FOSTER 3rd DAN
Gavin began training at the age of 12 in 1985 in Shotokan karate in Sunderland in the North East. He achieved the grade of 2nd Dan under Zen-Shin and sensei John Richards. But he felt the need for his karate to develop and his knowledge to grow and chose to study Ishinryu under the instruction of sensei Ticky Donovan 8th Dan (OBE)at the age of 19.
After guidance and hard work he quickly began to achieve success on the competition circuit, winning numerous north east titles, before securing a place on the junior England squad. Two English and British kumite titles followed and a European bronze medal.
He progressed onto the senior squad, winning an English team kumite title with Ishinryu and represented his country on a number of occasions. Gavin took a break from karate in 1998 to concentrate on his career as a journalist and currently is a deputy editor running a local newspaper. After the birth of his daughter, he returned to Ishinryu.
A dedicated follower of a tradition of excellence, he now passes on his knowledge and experience as an instructor to a new generation of karateka.
After achieving his 3rd Dan under sensei Donovan, and coaching regional kumite classes for the EKF England national squad, Gavin decided to open his own club under the Ishinryu umbrella in east Durham. He was recetly appointed Ishinryu national coach.
TITLES:
2x English u-21 kumite champion
2x British u-21 kumite champion
European u-21 bronze medalist
Senior England International
English senior team kumite champion
Ticky Donovan Summer Course Champion
5x North East Champion
Ishinryu national coach
Gavin is also a north east regional coach for the English Karate Federation (EKF). For details on all the regional squad sessions click on the logo below.
STEPHEN BAXTER 3rd Dan
Stephen began training in Shotokan karate with Zenshin under the instruction of Sensei John Richards at the age of 14.
He progressed through the ranks and made the move to Ishinryu five years later when he was 19. He achieved great success in competition karate and earned his England call up – representing England in the European Junior Championships and in the Grand Slam, picking up numerous national medals on the way.
Stephen took a break from karate to pursue his career as a retail store manager – but now passes on his skills and experience to new exponents of the art after returning to the Ishinryu family.Stephen was awarded his 3rd Dan in December, 2011 by Sensei Ticky Donovan 9th Dan (OBE) after a successful tour of Australia for teaching in the dojos under sensei Bruce Hyland 6th Dan, for which he received huge praise.
TITLES:
English u-21 Silver medalist
2x English bronze medalist
5xNorth East Champion
Grand Slam winner
