Archie Grassom 5th Dan – Chief Instructor

Joined the Kobe Osaka Karate Club in 1973 in East Kilbride, Scotland under Sensei Brian Docherty; later trained under Shihan Tommy Morris and Master Shiguru Kimura.

In 1975 as part of the Kobe Osaka team he competed in New Jersey USA in what was probably the first International Shukokai Tournament, fighting his way through the various rounds to take the title. The trophy was presented by Master Kimura and to this day remains in pride of place of all his other martial arts achievements.

He is proud to have trained with some of the very highest calibre of Karataka that Scotland ever produced, not only in his native style, Shukokai, but also in Shotakan at Alex McGregor’s budokan, where he achieved Shodan (1st Dan) from Sensei Kawasoe.

During his days of competition he won Scottish National titles in both Shukokai and Shotakan whilst becoming the full time instructor for Shihan Morris at the Kobe Osaka Headquarters in Scotland.

A move to England brought new opportunities in Karate as well as a career in the Kent Police Force, where he spent several years; finally specialising in firearms and close protection. Most notably he was employed to protect the Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe whilst he was in residence at Chevening House.

Having spent a few years in Kent he later went on to join Shihan Eddie Daniels, head of the Shukokai Karate Federation (SKF) in Birmingham. This led to a union with the world wide organisation of KSI (Kimura Shukokai International) where he was privileged to train with all four Shihans (Shihan Eddie Daniels, Lionel Marinus, Chris Thompson, and Bill Bressaw) over a number of years as well as many others throughout the organisation.

His personal instruction during this period with both the SKF and KSI saw him teaching throughout London & Kent producing several National, European, International and World title holders, interspersed with an army of successful black belts and karate practitioners.

Having been a full Scottish All Styles Internationalist it was only natural that his attention turned to refereeing; since this time, he has spent many years refereeing both Kata and Kumite competitions throughout the world. He has had the privilege of leading many referees’ courses and remains dedicated to producing unbiased referees who award points only as they see them; enabling the competitors to claim the titles that are rightfully theirs.

Having competed, taught and refereed for over 33 years the time spent in the pursuit of truth, self knowledge and true martial spirit has been a wonderful and often eventful journey. He has had the pleasure of training and competing with legendary names like; Gene Dunnett, Hamish Adams, David Coulter, Pat Mckay, Gerry Flemming, Eck Duncan, Ross Frame, Alan & Ricki Jenkins Jim Taggart, Bobby Ure, Donald Fullerton, Steven Morris, Tyronne Whyte, Eugene Coddrington, Terry Pottage, Clem Braithwaite and Steve Cattle to name a few as well as teaching the odd celebrity; Ally McCoist (Scotland and Rangers Footballer/ TV presenter, A Question of Sport) and Sola Akinbola, percussionist with Jamiroquai.

The founding of Takimura Karate Federation spells a new legacy in Karate history and a furtherance of his personal journey through the martial arts; another journey he is proud to be taking with a new clutch of talented and enthusiastic karateka.