Sensei Darren Reynolds - 5th Dan Wado Ryu - has been practicing karate for over 20 years, starting his training under the watchful eye of Gary Stevens and Peter Shaw who taught for Clayton Murrains' A.M.A.A. (Amateur Martial Arts Association) which was later to become the E.W.S.K.A. (English Wado Sports Karate Association).
Darren taught his own classes for the E.W.S.K.A. as well as helping out at the other local classes in and around Colchester. In 2000, he left to join the W.B.F.o.M.A. (World and British Federation of Martial Arts) under Tom Baldwin Soke, Hanshi Michael Benfell, Shihan Norman Wall, to name just a few of the very high calibre instructors within the Federation.
In 2002 Darren was awarded his 4th Dan in Karate.
Now concentrating all of his efforts on the Colchester Wado Ryu Karate Club and its many great students, he has built the class up from a handful of students training once a week, to over 80 Junior and Senior students actively training. He teaches 7 individual classes throughout the week and now teaches courses over weekends for club students to receive extra tuition.
Darren would like to thank students and their parents, past and present for their support at the club. Thanks must also go out to the Senior Grades who assist teaching classes.
Darren has now been awarded - 5th Dan.
Sadly, on the 31st May 2007, Tom Baldwin Soke tragically passed away and the WBFoMA has now stopped operating as a Martial Arts Organisation.
Colchester Wado Ryu Karate and its members are now proud members of the Ryukyu Association of Karate and Gung-Fu. The Head of the Association is Hanshi Michael Benfell. A huge thank you must go out to Hanshi Benfell and his Association for all their kindness and support.
