There are many varied styles of martial arts. Traditional martial arts, such as karate, have deep historical influences that were developed for self-defence or for defending others. Combative martial arts, such as kick boxing and mixed martial arts, are developed for sporting contests. Generally, these are one-on-one bouts, governed by rules and weight divisions.
Each martial art focuses on a particular type of technique or style, and this can be an important choice for those interested in self-defence. For example, jujitsu and judo emphasise the use of grapples, throws and fighting on the ground. In karate we prefer the combat to take place at a distance. Striking techniques of kicks and punches are used as a karateka learns to control the space between themselves and multiple opponents.
Our school teaches traditional karate for self-defence. We start with simple blocks and strikes against a single opponent to build confidence and ability. As students develop two or more opponents are introduced so that they can learn how to defend themselves against attacks from all directions. Martial arts techniques such as throws, grapples and weapons are also taught as students become more advanced.
The 3 Counties Shotokan Karate School was formed in 2006 by Sensei Anthony Tyers, now a 5th Dan black belt. He is assisted by several students that have trained under Sensei Tyers and have reached the level of 3rd Dan black belt.
We hold regular training sessions at Chesterfield, Staveley, Mansfield, Sutton in Ashfield and Dronfield (hence the 3 counties). The club prides itself on offering high quality, patient and enjoyable traditional style shotokan karate training to children as young as 4, adults of any age and often whole families, Some benefits of training in karate include an improved level of fitness, an ability to defend yourself and enhanced sense of well being, hopefully you will also make new friends!
Beginners are always welcome and receive a free one to one session before their 1st lesson
Physical, zoom and 1-2-1 classes available
No contracts or hidden costs
Accredited grades and licences
Enhanced DBS certified
First Aid certified
Sensei Tyers is a 5th Dan (Godan) Black Belt. Anthony Tyers was born in 1961 in Leicester, lived in the mining town of Coalville in north west Leicestershire until the age of 19 when he moved to Loughborough where he still lives. It was in Coalville aged 18 when he first took up shotokan karate and trained for over a year until he moved to Loughborough. After several months he joined an existing Shotokan Karate school in Loughborough and trained until 1986 achieving the grade of 2nd Kyu however due to family and work commitments he could not maintain the standard of training at that time.
Having had a break of nearly thirteen years he started training in Loughborough at the local TISKA school. It was after a few months he started to travel once a month to train in Leicester under the founder & chief instructor of TISKA Shihan while also maintaining regular training at he Loughborough school.
On the 4th November 2001 he was awarded his 1st Dan (Shodan). His training increased up to 4 sessions a week, 2 at Loughborough and 2 under Shihan, including traveling to Dunstable to train at the association dojo with the senior black belt grades.
After achieving his 2nd Dan (Nidan) in 2004 he decided to concentrate his training under the chief instructor Shihan by travelling to several different schools including Dunstable, Leicester, Kettering and Northampton.
In 2008 he was invited to attend the first TISKA master class held in Dubai by Shihan. It was during the master class that he was graded and awarded 3rd Dan.
In 2013 he attended the master class in Dubai where he graded for and achieved his 4th Dan.
Still maintaining his training under Shihan he now teaches in the northern TISKA region.
Highlights in his karate career include seeing both his daughters achieving their black belt grades and being invited to grade for Sandan on the first Tiska master class.
Gusharan Sahota
Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa but moved to the UK at the age of 12. He took up Karate at the age of 14 in the local Bedford club and was awarded black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later.
Now an 8th Dan, Gursharan has competed in a multitude of kata and kumite events, many at national and international level. But the most significant event in his career was the visit he made in 1984 to Japan. There, he fulfilled a great ambition by training in a Japanese dojo under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Gursharan. On his return to England, he realised the trip had been the inspiration he needed to dedicate his future to training and teaching karate as a way of life.
Gursharan’s first club was opened in Luton/Dunstable in 1981 and this is now the association’s hombu (HQ). Having been a teacher of the art for many years, he formed his own association in 1993 – TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) which is now one of the biggest associations in the UK.
Gursharan’s love of karate has never diminished. He still teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and regularly takes master classes internationally. All in all, he has brought hundreds of students of all ages up to black belt standard and beyond.
He is also involved in charity work, helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to third world countries to operate on underprivileged children. He has, for many years, funded many projects in India, and is at present helping to fund the building of a new school.
Gursharan lives in Buckinghamshire and is happily married with a son and daughter who already show signs of following in their daddy’s footsteps.
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