BELPER KARATE CLUB
aSHLEY jOHNSON 2ND dAN
Ash currently runs the club, he began training at the Belper Aiwakai Karate Club in April 2001 aged 12. He took his first grading in May of that year and also entered his first national championships. He progressed through the grades and was awarded student of the year on 3 occasions. He passed his 1st Dan in December 2006 and then 2nd Dan in June 2011. He has competed and won medals in various competitions over the years.
Ash also holds instructor qualifications, first aid qualifications and is a child protection officer.
david jOHNSON 4th dAN
Dave was a founding member of the original club in 1974, but he has also trained in various martial arts over the years including Judo, Shotokan Karate, Lau Gar, Kung Fu and Aikido. After a few years of training and competing up to Green Belt a back injury forced him to cease training with the club. That was until his son Ashley began to show an interest in martial arts, so Dave returned to training and continued to work through the grades to 4th Dan which he was awarded in November 2019. Although his injuries have left him unable to train and compete as he did in previous years, Dave contributes a great deal not only to the day to day running of the belper club but at a national level being a qualified competition referee.
In addition to his refereeing qualifications, Dave also holds instructor qualifications, first aid qualifications and is a child protection officer.