Budo Society Musashi

John started Judo at a young age, followed by Karate.
After John joined the Royal Netherlands Navy, John started Aikido, followed by Ju Jitsu and Aiki Jujitsu. He also started training Judo again within the Navy. At a later stage he became a Kyusho Jitsu/Dim Mak instructor, which is the art and science of deadly pressure point fighting, an art already used in Aiki Jujitsu several hundred of years ago.

In 1991 John became a certified martial arts instructor. This instructor course ran every Saturday over 9 months. In the morning there was a theory session, followed after the lunch break by practicing individual skills at demonstration level. After nine months John passed his exam and received a government recognised diploma as a martial arts instructor.

In 2003 John was offered a job as an exchange officer in the Royal Navy. In 2004 he started a dojo in HMS Collingwood. In 2007 John retired from the Royal Netherlands Navy after 33 years of active service, starting a martial arts school at HMS Drake and HMS Raleigh, followed by Budo Society Musashi clubs in Plymouth.

John is regularly invited to teach at seminars in Germany, Denmark and Holland. He regularly has attended courses in Belgium for his Kyusho Jitsu, Dim Mak, Qi Gung and Fa jin.

2006, John was awarded Most Supportive Black Belt 2006 in the European Black Belt Hall of Fame and Martial Arts Legends.
2007, John was awarded Combat Arts Master 2007 in the United Nations Black Belt Hall of Fame.
2008, John was awarded International Senior Instructor of 2008 for Aikido in the World Karate Union Hall of Fame

John currently holds:
7th Degree Black Belt in Aiki Jujitsu
7th degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu
4th Degree Black Belt in Aikido
Master Instructor in Kyusho Jitsu/Dim Mak
1st Kyu Kendo
John also practices Chi Gung and Fa Jin.

In 2008 John finished his certification of education at the University of Plymouth and is now officially
a teacher.

British Ju Jitsu Association GB National Referee, Judge and Senior Coach
First Aid Instructor and Care for Children Instructor
First Aid at Work Instructor
PADI Master Instructor
Instructor Assessor
Care for Trainees
Health and Safety Workplace assessor
Middle management manager
Human Resource manager