Chief Instructor - Sensei Ian Harman, Rokudan (6th Dan)

Ian Harman was born in January 1976. When he reached the age of 8, Ian took up Judo, then shortly after changed to Karate. 

He went to university in Brighton and qualified as a teacher. Ian is currently employed at Croesyceiliog School in Cwmbran, where he teaches Science. 

Ian started training in the Wado Ryu style of Karate under the instruction of Sensei Mick Salesman. In 1987, Ian’s family moved, which meant a change of Karate Clubs and subsequently Karate style. This is when Ian began training with a KUGB club; the Red Lion Shotokan Karate Club in Hastings under the instruction of Sensei Ivan Birch. When Ian gained his 1st Kyu; or brown belt with 2 white stripes, he began to assist with the teaching of classes at the club.

Three years after joining the club, at the age of 14 years, Ian achieved his Shodan; or black belt, on the first attempt from Sensei Andy Sherry. He then took over the teaching and running of the Hastings Red Lion SKC. During his time at the Red Lion SKC Ian became a regular competitor in the KUGB Southern Region and KUGB National championships. 

Just two years later Ian passed his Nidan, or 2nd Dan Black Belt, once again from Sensei Andy Sherry. The Red Lion SKC had moved to Eastbourne by this time and Ian carried on with his teaching and training at the club. 

In 1994 Ian was extended the offer of a place on the KUGB Southern Region Karate Squad, where he competed in both Kata and Kumite and won several medals and trophies. His success in competition was further rewarded, when two years later he was invited to join the England Karate Squad and also the Great Britain Karate Squad. Ian was selected to represent his country in the discipline of Kata.

Ian's international competitive career was beginning to take off when in 1997 he was involved in a serious car accident. Left with a severe neck injury, Ian was unable to train or compete and as a result he lost his place on the England and Great Britain squads. After a lengthy recuperation, Ian had the OK to return to light karate training, but not competition and certainly not Kumite! 

It was during this period that Ian moved from the South Coast to South Wales. After some initial difficulty in finding a KUGB Club in the local area, Ian joined the Kyoshin SKC where he was warmly welcomed. With his wealth of Karate knowledge and experience, it wasn’t long until Ian was invited to assist with the teaching at the club. 

Ian took over the running of Kyoshin and has led the club from strength to strength. 

Ian has continued to develop his Karate expertise, passing Sandan (3rd Dan) in 2004, Yondan (4th Dan) in 2008 and Godan (5th Dan) in 2013

Ian also a qualified KUGB Judge. 

As a member of the Welsh National Squad, Ian has been selected to represent Wales at international competitions on many occasions. 

Since 2007, Ian has been instructing Kata at the South Wales Centre of Karate Excellence. Ian was invited to join the KUGB's National Executive as the Secretary for Wales. 

Ian says that his teaching is based on an understanding of not just how, but why the techniques in Karate are effective. 

Ian and the instructors at kyoshin are excited to join Shotokan Connect in 2021.On March 12th 2022, Ian successfully graded to rokudan (6th Dan).  

Shortly after this he was also qualified as a kyung grading examiner.