Adam Cockfield – 5th Dan
Adam was born in Luton in 1982 and was always fascinated by Martial Arts films and stories from his Dad of his brief experience with Karate in the 1970’s. Adam began training in a small working men’s club hall in January 1992, after a bad start (his Dad’s quote on watching his early Karate lessons “he was rubbish, completely un-coordinated”) Adam’s enthusiasm for training shone through and his instructor at the time, known only as “Noddy”, suggested Adam go and train with his original instructor, Sensei Jamie Harrison.
Adam trained with Jamie and SEKU (Shotokan of England Karate Union) for 4 years until Jamie and his wife moved away to Devon. Prior to his departure Jamie contacted Malcolm Phipps Sensei (8th Dan) and suggested that his existing students train with SSKI (Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International). Adam joined SSKI in March 1996 and went on from brown belt to achieving the grade of 5th Dan in April 2013.
Adam is an accomplished competitor winning both the Kata (forms) and Kumite (fighting) at many established Shotokan & Open events around the country for several years such the The Legend open (Competitor of the Day for two years running), The Shobu-Ippon International Open, WTKO Open and The SEKU Invitational. Adam has also competed in Romania, France, Holland, Belgium and in the USA, winning medals at major International events, culminating in winning the 2011 WJKA World Championships in Kata. In 2004 Adam was made the SSKI squad coach and coached the squad for the next 14 years to arguably it’s best ever results.
Adam has been privileged enough to train with many senior and well-respected Karateka, mainly due to the open attitude of his original Sensei, Malcolm Phipps. Adam has learnt a great deal from Dave Hazard Sensei, Aidan Trimble Sensei, Steve Ubl Sensei, Iain Abernethy Sensei & Vinicio Antony Sensei. The biggest influence on Adam’s Karate in recent years has been Simon Staples Sensei, who Adam tries to train with as often as possible. . Adam also recognises the contribution of his main Instructor of over 20 years; Macolm Phipps Sensei (8th Dan).
Adam with Steve Ubl Sensei, Dave Hazard Sensei, Simon Staples Sensei & Malcom Phipps Sensei
In April 2008 Adam Sensei passed his Yondan (4th Dan) grading in front of a panel headed by Macolm Phipps Sensei , having to perform the Kata Meikyo and demonstrate its Bunkai (applications) in depth, write a thesis on any aspect of Karate and teach a lesson based on that thesis. Adam was then awarded 5th Dan in 2013. Read Sensei Adam’s Yondan Grading Thesis: The Impact of Competition on Modern Shotokan Karate
Adam has a very open mind to his training and over the past 20 years has regularly trained with instructors of different styles (Goju-Ryu/Wado-Ryu/Shito-Ryu) and exposed himself to different disciplines (Jiu-Jutsu, BJJ, Wrestling, Boxing).
In 2018, after much thought, Adam left SSKI & Malcolm Sensei to found Total Shotokan Karate alongside Dan Sensei to explore their shared view on how Karate should be both trained and taught. Both Adam & Dan still maintain a great relationship with SSKI & Malcolm Sensei in particular and continue to train on open courses with SSKI.
Adam has full Instructors Professional Indemnity Insurance, has an Enhanced DBS check and is first aid qualified.
Daniel White – 4th Dan
Daniel has full Instructors Professional Indemnity Insurance, has an Enhanced DBS check and is first aid qualified.
Full Profile to follow.