About Us
Master Shiro Asano 9th Dan
The world renowned Asano Hanshi 9th Dan, Chief Instructor of Shotokan Karate International European Federation regularly teaches at Chilwell Olympia Karate School. All grading and examinations are assessed by him so that your achievements will be recognised throughout the world.
Born in Tokyo in 1939, Asano Hanshi started training at an early age under Masatoshi Nakayama who became head of the Japan Karate Association. Like most of the top Shotokan instructors of his generation, he was a graduate of Japan’s prestigious Takushoku University, famous for martial arts but especially karate. Training was very rigorous and severe, lasting six hours per day.
Known for his kumite (fighting) prowess, Asano proved his mettle becoming all Japan Champion, twice. Upon leaving university, he enrolled in the Japan Karate Association Instructor’s course and he was appointed a J.K.A instructor on 1st April 1963.
Asano Hanshi taught in Japan and throughout Europe before he was invited to teach in Great Britain in 1968, becoming one of the first instructors of this dynamic martial art in this country. His sole purpose was to teach authentic shotokan karate which he is uniquely qualified to do. He eventually became chief instructor of Shotokan Karate International European Federation. His teaching is in very high demand and he is invited to instruct all over the world.
"I’ve been training at Chilwell Karate since 2012 and have pretty much enjoyed every week I’ve trained at the club. After a few years of training it helped me to improve fitness and boost my confidence. Thanks to sensei Pasq’s great teaching I am proud to have achieved black belt and enter a few competitions including one overseas."
Christine HoPasq Mura Sensei 7th Dan
Pasq first started training at Chilwell Olympia in 1979. Asano Hanshi would visit the club on a monthly basis and other senior S.K.I instructors would also regularly teach at Chilwell. Pasq soon began training with Asano Hanshi every week at Carlton Forum and the Hombu Dojo. Over the years he has trained with many top Japanese and European instructors and continues to train on all S.K.I.E.F courses and at the Hombu Dojo every week.
He has been teaching for over 30 years and is dedicated to continue learning and developing his students so they reach their full potential. In August 2010 he was graded to 6th Dan and was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Honour at the 36th Annual S.K.I.G.B Championships the following day.
Pasq entered his first S.K.I competition in 1980 as a yellow belt and won second place in the junior grade kata event. In the years since he has gone onto win numerous titles.
Major Competitive Achievements
- Represented Great Britain In Ten World Championships
- Represented Great Britain In Six European Championships
- 14 Times S.K.I Individual Kumite (Fighting) Champion
- 4 Times Individual Kata (Forms) Champion
- Individual Kumite SKI European Champion
- Team Kumite World Champion
- SKI World Championship Bronze Medallist Team Kumite
- 4 Times SKI European Silver Medallist Team Kumite
- SKI European Bronze Medallist Team Kumite
- Triple Masters World Kumite Champion
John Crowther Sensei 3rd Dan
John started training in 1974 when the school was first opened. He has been teaching for over 40 years and still trains at least 3 times per week as well as attending courses throughout the year. He was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Honour in August 2009 by Asano Hanshi in acknowledgement of his loyalty and contribution to Shotokan Karate International.
Guy Stephenson 5th Dan
I started Shotokan Karate aged 29 and 28 years later I am still loving it. It is never too late to start karate and as the tigers show never too early. Chilwell Karate is a friendly inclusive club which we all take pride in representing at regional, national and international level.