Instructors

Karl James 4th Dan

Karl began his training in Tae Kwon-do 26 years ago and has been instructing for 10 years. During his involvement with Tae Kwon-do he has trained under several instructors including his own father, Ken James 5th Dan and two former World Champions, Nigel Banks and Dorian Bytom. Karl originally began his training alongside his brother and father and due to having started in this way, realises the benefits of doing something together as a family.

Before concentrating solely on teaching, Karl spent over 10 years competing on the TAGB Black Belt circuit, taking his passion for sparring all over Great Britain and as far away as Miami. He has won trophies at the Welsh, Scottish and English championships at two different weights and was runner up in the British Championships in 1999. In 2003, Karl was a member of the Brighton sparring team which won the TAGB 20th Anniversary National Event. During his time competing, he has also won several titles at the South-East Championships at sparring, patterns and destruction.

Karl is a firm believer that Tae Kwon-do has something to offer everyone, no matter what their ambitions are, whether to keep fit, learn self defence or enjoy competing.

Ruth James, 3rd Dan

Ruth began training in Tae Kwon-do almost 14 years ago and has been instructing for nine years. Originally a member of the Eastbourne Tae Kwon-do Club, taught by Ken James, 5th Dan, she has also trained under various instructors whilst studying for a degree in Sport Science, including former World Champion Dorian Bytom. Having started her training to keep a friend company, she found her enjoyment grew with each lesson and from there she became ’hooked’.

Ruth has taken part competitively since yellow belt and continues to do so, having just taken part in the World Championships held at the Birmingham NIA (July 2007). Over the years Ruth has been multiple South East Champion, in both the sparring and patterns divisions. To date her other achievements include trophies from the English, Welsh, British and BTC Championships, culminating in a bronze medal, for musical patterns at the World Championships held in Miami.