History

As an instructor I achieved my grades under the excellent teaching of my own coach Dominic Donnelly, 6th DAN Black Belt. He taught me in North Belfast in the Freestyle Warriors Club.

A very high standard was taught to everyone who entered the club with most achieving very high grades in the club all the way through to dan grades and beyond, so I now wish to thank Dominic for my knowledge and wish to pass this on in the same freestyle manor in which I was taught.

AS OF 2010 JIM IS NOW ASSOCIATED AND RECOGNISED BY WAKO GB TO HIS CURRENT GRADE OF 6TH DAN BLACK BELT




JIM McERLEAN was the head of our association of KEN CHO KAI plus doing various seminars through the years that we trained.

JIM McERLEAN is a 6th DAN Black Belt with 40 years experience in the Martial Arts. He started training in Dublin, taking lessons in Kempo Karate. When he returned to Belfast he started training under JIM PRITCHARD and OLIVER BRUNTON in WADO RYU. He then moved to Limavady and trained under JOHN McCLEMENTS in Bujinkai Karate, in which he reached 1st DAN. A few years after achieving this he began training with ROY STANHOPE, then a 6th DAN, head of U.K.A.S.K.O.


Drawing on Roy's knowledge and experience as a senior grade, an international England competitor and referee he progressed to the grade of 3rd DAN. When he met with Peter Constantine, 7th DAN, he decided to widen his experience and trained under Peter and achieved the grade of 4th DAN as well as being put on the register of Self Protection Instructors in the British Combat Association (B.C.A). Jim incorporated the different styles and knowledge he built up by varying the lessons he taught.

Kickboxing was his next direction and he trained and took part in many competitions until eventually obtaining a 5th DAN through W.U.M.A. and the British Kickboxing Association, and also obtaining a referees qualification. After 31 years he was awarded 6th DAN Black Belt and at present is registered with the A.M.A and the B.N.M.A.A. He now spends his time instructing on courses and seminars and taking part in gradings and grading panels.


Over his time spent in the martial arts he has trained with many of the leading figures on the national and international scene. He has competed in many competitions including the F.S.K, the Chicara Championships, the Best of the Best (North and South of Ireland), the Bujinkai National Championships, B.A.S.K.A Championships, the W.U.M.A Gold Cup, to name a few. He freely admits that he won some and lost some during his competitive years.