SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Sensei Mike Coakham 3rd DAN
Mike trained in boxing and Jiu Jitsu before trying karate at Abergavenny SKC in the 1990s . He has stuck with Karate ever since, being mentored by Sensei Ken Whittington and Sensei Ohta, chief instructor for JKAE .
Mike has attended many JKA regional and national courses over the last 3 decades and has also attended JKAE instructor training. He passed his 3rd dan test in front of sensei's Ohta, Ogura, Chubachi and Hishigachi at the JKAE international course in Crawley on Sunday 30th April 2017. He is committed to continue training and learning karate the JKA way and to pass his knowledge on to anyone who wishes to come and learn.
Sensei Mike Coakham 3rd DAN
Mike trained in boxing and Jiu Jitsu before trying karate at Abergavenny SKC in the 1990s . He has stuck with Karate ever since, being mentored by Sensei Ken Whittington and Sensei Ohta, chief instructor for JKAE .
Mike has attended many JKA regional and national courses over the last 3 decades and has also attended JKAE instructor training. He passed his 3rd dan test in front of sensei's Ohta, Ogura, Chubachi and Hishigachi at the JKAE international course in Crawley on Sunday 30th April 2017. He is committed to continue training and learning karate the JKA way and to pass his knowledge on to anyone who wishes to come and learn.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Jon Wohlgemuth 2nd Dan
Jon trained under Sensei Ken Whittington for some years before passing his 1st dan grading with Sensei's Ohta, Tanaka, Sawada and Osaka in 2011 and has carried on training consistently since then. He graded to 2nd Dan with Sensei Ohta in June 2022. Jon has a wealth of karate experience and knowledge to draw on. and feels that he is starting to get the hang of it now.
Craig Phillips 1st Dan
Craig trained for a few years in the early 90s, After a break of a few years he returned in 2012 and has been a very keen member since then. Craig is an ever present member of the club and gained his 1st dan grade with sensei Ohta in 2016. He is always keen to help students who want to learn.
Deri Wells 1st Dan
Deri has practised karate for many years and his experience is very usefully passed on to the students he helps teach.
In memory; Davied Bath 2nd Dan
Davied trained for over 30 years, largely with Abergavenny karate club but also with other clubs throughout the UK. He passed his 1st Dan grading in 1998. He was a very energetic karateka and generated a lot of enthusiasm in the club with his positive attitude. Davied passed his 2nd dan exam with sensei Ohta in Dec 2016 and continued teaching karate and training until he became too ill, sadly passing away in May 2023.
