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

2014. John was inducted in the British Budo Federation Hall of Fame

 

John currently holds:

8th Degree Black Belt in Aiki Jujitsu

8th degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu

5th 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.

 

Other qualifications

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

John teaching an Aiki Jujitsy technique