Sensei Mark Price - Chief Instructor

Contact: markp@hjkcombinedmartialarts.com

Mobile 07985117690

After briefly practicing Karate from the age of 12 I joined a local Kung Fu club at the age of 15 under the instruction of Si Gung H.E. Conroy. I soon found that the flowing system of Fu-Jow-Pai was more suited to my smaller flexible frame as opposed to my experiences with Karate although similarities could be drawn between both systems. After several belts I became hungry for more types of martial arts and undertook lessons with Prof. D.T. Hodgson/Sensei Phil Hughes in both Jujitsu & Karate which pushed my training to 3 nights and most of Sunday. After gaining my brown sash in Fu-Jow-pai, I benefited from coaching level 1 & 2 training programmes with then NDBK association in 1988-89. To later become a fully qualified coach after attaining my first black belt in 1990.  

Still heavily training in kung fu & Jujitsu I along with my now new instructor in Fu-jow-pai P Swift 3^rd Dan decided to try our hand at the new to our country but fast becoming popular Thai boxing with local champion R Green, then 3 times world champ. I Gained lots of full contact practical knowledge (and scars) but found that my passion was still in martial arts for self defence rather than competition.  

Now 2^nd Dan ('93') and second instructor to P Swift we decided to research the best approach of self defence for women. After approval from NTK Chairman D.T. Hodgson, I and sensei Swift rolled out a successful women's self defence course (FightBack) at various locations throughout the borough, which became so popular I was asked to give a talk on the subject for NTK (Nippon Traditional Karate) AGM. The now more refined course (Personal Safety) covers all aspects of personal safety/self defence for both male and females of all ages. 

After gaining 3^rd Dan and being in discussion with P Swift/DT Hodgson about combining the experiences both myself and Sensei Swift had had into a recognised martial art form. We got the ratification to role out a new syllabus and rename the club which we now know as HKJ combined martial arts. Another couple of Dan grades (5^th Dan / 3^rd Degree) later I am now head coach for HKJ and secretary for NMAA (Nippon Martial Arts Association).  

Of course this is a condensed account of my martial arts career, detailing only the relevant points that shaped our current as a club. 

My simple philosophy is always have an open mind and try to maintain what works for you and throw away all that doesn't. We are all different, so one system may suit one person but not another. Work on your weaknesses rather than your strengths to help you become a more balanced martial artist and train hard while you're young enough and the spiritual side will come with age and experience!

 M S Price 5^th Dan/3^rd Degree 

Acknowledgements

 To my good friend & instructor Si Gung H.E. Conroy (Burt) 1933 -2008

 Instructors I've trained under at some point: - Si Gung Conroy, Si Fu/Sensei P Swift, Si Fu S Bourne, Prof D.T. Hodgson, Sensei P Hughes, R Green, Instructor D Grundy.

 Instructors I've been on courses with: - Prof DT Hodgson, Soke Clark, Renshi Donohue, Shihan Yamanaka, Bob Sharkey (S.W.A.T. Instructor), Sensei A Laurie, Master Gilhooley, Sensei J Hulse, Sensei T Roberts, Grand Master J Hogan, Master Jay, Master Chu, Master Pentazi, Grand Master G Dilman, Sensei R Stutley……….sorry too many to mention!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sensei Bill Finch, 1st Dan

Contact billf@hkjcombinedmartialarts.com

 

Biog. to follow