ISHINRYU Dingley

ISHINRYU Dingley is a traditional karate school located in Dingley Village, Australia. It was founded by Sensei Richard Stevenson, a dedicated and skilled karate practitioner with a 4th Dan black belt. The school offers a range of programmes that not only teach the time-honoured traditions of Ishinryu karate but also provide a great way to get fit.

The workouts at ISHINRYU Dingley are thorough and incorporate fitness exercises, kicking, punching, blocks, Kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). These programmes are designed not only to strengthen the body but also to cultivate discipline and mental focus. Discipline is seen as a key to success in any pursuit in life, and karate can help develop these valuable skills.

The students and instructors at ISHINRYU Dingley have been training in Ishinryu Karate for more than four decades, making them highly experienced and knowledgeable. They continue to learn and grow with the evolving generations of Ishinryu Karate practitioners. The school proudly embraces the Ishinryu philosophy of being “all of one,” highlighting the sense of unity and community among its members.

The founder of ISHINRYU Dingley, Sensei Richard Stevenson, has a deep passion for karate and shares his knowledge and expertise with his students. He is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Ishinryu Karate and instilling its values in each student.

One of the distinguished figures in the world of karate, Ticky Donovan OBE, played a significant role in the development of Ishinryu Karate. Ticky formed his own style of karate, known as Ishinryu, in 1973. The style has garnered significant competition success over the years and is practised not only in the UK but also in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Ticky Donovan, who currently holds an 8th Dan black belt, has been a coach and manager of the British and English national karate teams from 1977 to 2008. Under his guidance, Britain achieved numerous European and World championship team gold medals, and he was awarded the O. B. E.

in 1991 for his coaching achievements.

The early days of Ticky Donovan's karate journey started in 1965 when he attended his first karate lesson with Tatsuo Suzuki's Clapham Common club. Despite initially finding karate "slow,” a dynamic demonstration by Tatsuo Suzuki himself captivated Ticky and motivated him to continue his training. He trained with Wado Ryu for three years under Tatsuo Suzuki and Len Palmer.

After parting ways with Tatsuo Suzuki, Ticky found himself torn between staying with Len Palmer or continuing to train under Mr. Suzuki. He eventually stayed with Len Palmer but held on to the fundamental teachings he learned from Mr. Suzuki.

When Mr. Kanazawa and Mr. Enoeda entered the picture, Ticky switched to Shotokan karate and trained with them.

However, fate dealt another hand, as Mr. Kanazawa went to Germany and Mr. Enoeda to Liverpool. Ticky also faced a setback when he broke a bone in his hand during selections for the European Championships, which led him to consider quitting karate.

But after a six-month break, Ticky found himself drawn back to the dojo, joining Steve Arneil's Kyokushinkai dojo in Stratford, where many of his friends trained.

While Ticky thoroughly enjoyed his time with Kyokushinkai, splits within the organisation occurred, leading to Ticky's decision to pursue his own path. In 1973, he established Ishinryu Karate, a style that emphasises the unity of its practitioners. Its name, Ishinryu, translates to “All of one Heart.

ISHINRYU Dingley carries the legacy of Ishinryu Karate, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals interested in learning and practising this traditional martial art. Whether you are looking to improve your physical fitness, learn self-defence techniques, or develop discipline and mental focus, ISHINRYU Dingley offers programmes that cater to all levels of experience and age groups.

To find out more about ISHINRYU Dingley, their programmes, and how to get started, please visit their website or contact Sensei Richard Stevenson at the provided contact details.