Jim Wilson
Jim
Wilson began his path in the martial way back in the mid-sixties when
he first took up judo, then karate and then kendo. He studied at the famous
Budokwai Martial Arts Centre in London for many years and took several
black belt gradings there before helping the late Sensei K. Enoeda establish
the Shotokan Karate Centre in London in the early seventies.
Whilst
at the Budokwai, he trained with many of the world's most illustrious
teachers, including JKA greats such as H. Kanazawa Sensei (10th Dan) and
his many assistants, including Takehashi, Sumi and Kato Sensei. He also
trained with Mr. Charles Mack Sensei (who at the time held a 5th Dan fighting
grade judo and black belts in karate and jiu-jutsu, being the first Englishman
to gain his black belt in JKA karate in Japan). Jim also trained kendo
with Englishman Roy Maddams (one of kendo's early pioneers in the UK)
and top Japanese instructor Fuji Sensei.
Jim
has always been a keen advocate in cross training in different martial
arts and had the opportunity to take classes with some of the world's
best judo players and helped establish a judo for karate students pre-class
run by the late Tony Raey 7th Dan (who was the Budokwai manager at the
time) back in the sixties. Many Budokwai students par took in different
martial arts and exchanged views and training ideas on a regular basis.
Around
1967 the late K. Enoeda Sensei (9th Dan) took over as Chief karate instructor
at the Budokwai and Jim trained on a regular basis with this great master
for many years.
In
the late sixties to mid seventies, Jim participated in the sporting aspect
of karate and kendo and featured as a British Karate International competitor
and was place in the top four of many national and international events
in kata, kumite and team kumite. He competed in many countries throughout
the world, including Japan, Canada, USA and many countries in Europe.
Jim travelled to Japan to train and compete and was proud to be a team player with such illustrious Shotokan fighters as Terry O'Neil, Bob Poynton, Bob Rhodes, Glen Haslim, Bill Crystall, Steve Cattle, Andy Sherry and many more. He also had the opportunity to train with wonderful instructors such as Wado's Suzuki Sensei, Goju Kai's Steve Morris Sensei and Kyukushinkai's Steve Arneil Sensei as a member of the "All Styles” karate squad.
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Around
1973 he was invited by Paul Evans (who was a Physical Training and Combat
Expert Sergeant in the Royal Marines) to become Chief Instructor to the
newly formed Royal Marines Karate Association. Later, he collaborated
with Paul to produce the training manual entitled "Command Fighting
Techniques". He also wrote the world wide bestseller, Pictorial Guide
to the Martial Arts, at that time.
Also
in the early seventies he travelled to Canada to compete and met and formed
a long lasting friendship with Canadian Goju Ryu stylist and champion
Don Warrener.
At this point Jim had the opportunity to further his karate, karate weapons
and Tai Chi experience with both his friend Don and his world famous instructor
the late Richard Kim Sensei 10th Dan.
Jim
also attended course held by such famous American martial artists as Peter
Urban Sensei 10th Dan and many others.
In
1979 Jim and Don teamed with top Trinidadian jiu-jutsu stylist Professor
Don Jacobs to form what they lightly termed 'the trinity' and subsequently
exchanged a great many ideas on cross training in the martial arts.
Also
at this time Jim met and then trained with Professor Wally Jay of Small
Circle jiu-jutsu fame and invited this master to visit Great Britain on
many occasions.
Jim
has taught thousands of students in many countries and has personally
help over 250 to reach the coveted black belt with some becoming karate
champions and instructors in their own right.
Recently Jim has been visiting his friend Don Warrener in Los Angeles, where he is CEO of the martial arts video production company Rising Sun Productions, and has filmed a number of Beginner's Guide training DVDs on the martial arts. Jim also has his own production vehicle called Karate Tiger Productions and is planning a series of training DVDs, including a new collaboration with Paul Evans on Unarmed Commando Fighting and Training Methods.
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