'My family’s martial arts journey began in the 1970s, during the golden age of karate and kung-fu, inspired by iconic stars like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. What started as a passion quickly became a lifelong commitment to the art and its values, passed down from generation to generation.

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In the early 1980s, my Uncle Tommy opened our first martial arts club. He was soon joined by my uncles Steven and Peter. When my parents met, my father joined as well and earned his Black Belt in the mid-1980s.

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Originally known as the International Kenpo Ju-Jitsu Association, our club has gone through several name changes over the years, reflecting its growth and evolution. Some of the names we've carried include:

• Wythenshawe Martial Arts

• Ashton Kenpo Ju-Jitsu Association

• Wythenshawe Kenpo Ju-Jitsu Association

• Conaghan Kenpo Association

Despite the name changes, our core values and commitment to martial arts have remained the same.

Over the years, many members of my family — including a few aunties — have trained hard and achieved their Black Belts. We've maintained a strong, passionate martial arts presence in Wythenshawe ever since.

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I started training in 1990 at the age of four and earned my junior Black Belt by the time I was ten.

Fast forward 34 years (yes, 34!), and both my father and I are still actively training and teaching in Wythenshawe.

 

Now, I have the honour of sharing the mats with my children — Edward, Jorgie-Rae, and Harrison — making us three generations united by a shared passion.

Uncle Peter continues to run his club in Ashton and is likely Greater Manchester’s longest-serving martial arts instructor, with over 40 years of dedication to teaching.

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In the beginning, we offered just two styles:
Kenpo Karate and Ju-Jitsu.

Today, under my leadership, the Wythenshawe Black Belt Academy proudly offers seven distinct martial arts disciplines:

• Kenpo Karate

• Ju-Jitsu

• Judo

• Muay Thai

• Kickboxing

• Eskrima

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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Our students compete at local, regional, and international levels — and we’re just getting started.

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Carrying forward this family legacy and preparing the next generation for success is more than a mission — it’s a lifelong passion. I look forward to seeing how the academy continues to grow under the guidance of future generations.'