SKA President Bill Hair
I often get asked by my Karate pupils and their parents how my journey in Karate has evolved. I took up karate back in 1978 when I joined the Budukan Dojo in Candleriggs, Glasgow. I completed my KYU Grades under the guidance of Sensei Kawasoe from the Japan Karate Association (JKA) between 1978 and 1983.
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In 1984 Sensei Eneoda from the JKA awarded me a 1st Dan (Black Belt).
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In 1999 I attained my 2nd Dan (Black Belt) from JKA.
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Following Sensei Eneoda’s passing in 2003, I parted from the JKA, achieving my 3rd Dan (Black Belt) from TSKA in 2004.
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In 2009 I was awarded my 4th Dan (Black Belt) by the National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Governing body (NAKMAS)
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After the WUKO 2009 World Championships in Mexico, Sensei Carlo Henke President of WUKO honoured me with an elevation to 5th (Black Belt) Dan.
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I was awarded my 6th Dan (Black Belt) by the WUKO Board in 2017 and:
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I reached my 7th Dan (Black Belt) in Sri Lanka in 2023, courtesy of the WUMF.
I attained the status of a World Referee WUKO in 2009 and was elevated to World Chief Referee in 2013 at the World Championships in Bucharest and currently serve on the WKC, WUKF, WUKO and WUMF referee commission.
I am now a 7th Dan Shotokan Karate practitioner and the President of the Scottish Karate Alliance (SKA). The SKA was established in 2003 when myself and Lindsay Smith, a Shuko-kai karate-ka came together with a shared desire for a different approach to the governing bodies in Karate. In the same year the SKA became a member of the World Karate Confederation (WKC) and we remain active members of the WKC. The SKA is also affiliated with the World Union of Martial Arts Federation (WUMF) and represents Scotland at Shotokan Karate-do of the United Nations (SKDUN).
As SKA members, we benefit from our alliance with the National Association of Karate & Martial Arts Governing Body (NAKMAS), ensuring legal requirements and insurance coverage. Individuals, clubs, and federations are more than welcome to join our wide community of Scottish Karate-ka.
Unfortunately, my business and work commitments required me to relocate away from Glasgow. I took that opportunity to establish my own dojo in Largs, Ayrshire, affiliating with the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) while still under JKA. As a member of KUGB, Scotland was represented by a team at the European Championships from 1984 to 1988. I myself participated in these European Championships, so I fully appreciate what it is like to be on an international tatami.
Later, for business reasons, I moved again and founded a new dojo in South Ayrshire, naming it the BURAKUDO SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB.
Our first gold medal was achieved in 2006 at the WKC World Championships in Hanover, Germany, with Ross Stewart securing victory in the 10-11 years boys’ shobu-ippon category. Since then, we have consistently experienced success, earning many medals and some notable victories.
WE ARE OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS ALL AGES
Our annual license and civil liability insurance cover is £10 per person per annum. We also accept members with their own insurance, provided it meets our requirements. Members can with practice progress 9th KYU to 1st KYU (minimum 3 months per grade), 1st KYU to 1st Dan (minimum 6 months), 1st Dan – 2nd Dan (minimum 2 years), 2nd Dan – 3rd Dan (minimum 3 years), and so forth. Karate practioners
“To give yourself the best possible chance of performing to your potential you must prepare for all eventualities. That means practice”
Twice a year, we organize black and brown belt courses with assessed and credited Dan grading opportunities. Additionally, our annual Scottish Championships are held at Largs in late June or early July, are open to all karate-ka members. This year the event is on the 28th June at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre Largs. Members also have the opportunity to participate in a number of international events each year.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact me, Bill Hair, via email at billhair72@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 07979222986.