Our Story

At the Shotokan JKA Academy, Our mission is to empower people of all ages to reach their fullest potential through correct instruction in the art of Shotokan JKA Karate.At the same time developing self-defense and life skills, while embodying our spirit of indomitable spirit, generosity, experiential learning, teamwork, community and growth.

Our Mission

Through dedicated karate instruction, we help people of all ages to achieve their full potential. By emphasizing karate self-defense, health, fitness and life skills in a friendly, safe, positive environment, we inspire our students to become more confident, successful, and contributing members of our community.

Transforming lives through karate instruction since 1976

As a child Sham Aktar sensei has had a passion for Karate & martial arts. Currently a 7th Dan Black Belt & training with Shihan M Kawasoe, 8th Dan, he has been very fortunate to have been trained by some of the highest level original karate masters to have emerged from the JKA, Japan Karate Association. He started Karate teaching in 1976 with a vision to teach karate self defence and life - skills. Incorporating the best Karate skills from his karate masters and adding them to his refined karate curriculum, Sham Aktar sensei has been able to devise an ultimate and comprehensive course of Black Belt Excellence for the students of the Shotokan JKA Karate Academy. By staying true to the founding fundamental karate principles and his karate masters, Sensei Sham Aktar remains a true role model in karate & martial arts education.

Winners of the Children Sparring club competition 2023

Meet Our Team

We’re proud of our diverse and experienced team. Our instructors, coaches and staff have years of karate experience, each possessing their own unique style and skills. We strive to create a learning environment that is both fun and challenging for our students. Our team is here to help our students reach their goals and become more confident, successful and contributing members of the community.

Sham Aktar 7th Dan
Founder & Head Coach of Shotokan JKA Academy

Personal Statement :

I love my family. I am passionate about karate & martial arts. There is something great in every true martial art style. I love what it does for people & how it changes them positively.I am excited about karate & martial arts now as I was when I started. My aim is to also bring this excitement to others so they too can enjoy their life more.

Shotokan JKA Academy coach Sham Aktar training with Kase Sensei 9th Dan in the 1990's

Chief Coach of Shotokan JKA Academy Sham Aktar 7th Dan

Over decades of training, including many trips to the far east to China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan to train with the world's best masters of Karate & martial arts.For those that know or heard of the former famous legendary Masters of JKA Karate,Sham Aktar has been personally taught by the world's very best Karate masters many of whom have sadly since passed away.

These include : Master Kase 10th Dan, Nishiyama 10th Dan, Asai 9th Dan, Kanazawa 9th Dan,Shirai 8th Dan,Enoeda 8th Dan,Tanaka 8th Dan, Yahara 8th Dan,Kawasoe 8th Dan,and many others. Sham Aktar 7th Dan is still very much active in his Karate practice every day, as well as passing on his karate experience to his dedicated & commited karate students. He feels this is his life-time contribution towards the positive human development through learning the art of karate way in society. He tries to simplify all his teachings for his students with much patience, in order to make them understand the true concepts & potential of karate training. So what took many years of practise by trial, & error, is simplified and taught in a systematised manner at professional world-class level at the Shotokan JKA Academy by Sham Aktar sensei to ensure his students' karate journey is the best that it can possibly be. He has thus simplified the typical comprenesive Black Belt Karate Course, for his students,at his Shotokan JKA Academy, incorporating the very best of the fundamental skills of all the best Shotokan Karate Masters, like a road map for them to achieve their ultimate success,in their karate life-style.
Sham Aktar's unique teaching point is to be able to take an average dedicated karate student way past his/her potential to the ultimate level of karate technique & mastery of karate skill together with the development of their mind and body by making simple the essential key points of the original JKA Karate masters & pioneers. You can be guaranteed an improvement in your physical & mental state when karate training with Aktar sensei over a period of time, as he always pushes you beyond your limit to find your true hidden potential in training to your personal best levels.

If you are above the age of 6 years then call now for your trial lessson!. Call: 07956 553417 .

Meet our Shotokan JKA team

Student Creed :

At the Shotokan JKA Academy, we believe in the power of a strong student creed to remind us of our commitment to growth, respect and discipline. Our Student Creed & Dojo Code are as follows:

I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or physical health.
I intend to develop self-discipline, in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively, to help myself and others, and never be abusive or offensive.

Dojo Code :

Principles of Black Belt

As a dedicated student of Karate, I will live by the principles of Black Belt:

Modesty
Perseverance
Courtesy
Courage
Integrity
Indomitable Spirit

Dojo rules :

Respect: Treat everyone in the class with respect, especially your sensei, who should be respected both inside and outside the dojo.

Self-Discipline : Work on yourself in class rather then critisizing and/or finding faults in others. Let the coaches do that.

Washrooms: Use the washroom before the class. Don't keep going to the washroom persistently unless there is medical reason.

Be on time: Arriving late to class is disrespectful, and you should do the appropriate number of push-ups,sit - ups & dorsal raises for the minutes you are late, then wait kneeling by the entrance until the sensei allows you to enter.

Be clean: Practice good personal hygiene, wash your hands before and after class, and keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. You should also avoid wearing strong scents, perfumes, or colognes.

Be tidy: Take responsibility for the cleanliness of the dojo by throwing away your garbage and arranging training equipment and your belongings neatly.Don't keep interrupting the class. Any questions should be asked at the end of the session .

Be aware: Be aware of your surroundings and devise a way to avoid unsavoury situations. No talking in the class is allowed.

Be calm: Refrain from violent behavior and use your karate knowledge for justice.

Be respectful of others' needs: If you are a more experienced karateka, be sensitive to the needs of your partner, especially if they are a beginner.

Remove jewelry: Remove or tape over any jewelry that could cause injury.

Start and end with a bow: Sessions should begin and end with a formal bow of respect.

Anyone found deliberately breaking the above rules may be cautioned,which could mean terminating their membership.