Sensei Dean started training at Gateshead Karate Club in 1995 at the age of 10. He trained hard, enjoying  his Karate and took his 1st Dan black belt in 1998 aged 13 with Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda 9th Dan the then chief Instructor of the KUGB.

 

Dean's main interest was Kumite and at his first competition at Seahouses in 1998 he came 1st in the  5.5ft and over Boy’s Individual Kumite and 3rd in Mixed Team Kumite. 

 

In 1999, Dean was selected for the KUGB England squad for Kumite and followed this great achievement in 2001 when he was selected for the KUGB Kata squad.

 

Dean join Ashington SKC In 2001 and later that year gained his 2nd dan under Sensei Andy Sherry. 

 

In 2003 Dean was selected for his England debut competing at the European Shotokan Championships (ESKA) in Sunderland, Deans training and hard work paid off when he was placed 3rd place in Junior Male Team Kata.

 

Dean continued his Karate training and achieved many successes in the KUGB National Championships, Grand Slams and Northern Regional Competitions with individual and team events. 

 

1999 2nd place individual Boys Kumite 5'5" and Over  KUGB Northern Regional Championships

2000 3rd place individual Boy’s Kata KUGB National Championships 

2000  3rd place Junior Male Kumite  KUGB Grand Slam 

2002 2nd place in Adult Male Team KumiteKUGB  Northern Regional Championships 

2008 3rd place Team Kata KUGB National Championships

 

In 2003 Dean Qualified as a KUGB  Instructors and started to help teach at the Ashington.

 

Due to injury Dean retired in 2008 from competition but still continued to train and pass his knowledge onto new students.

 

In 2014, after a short break, Dean returned to the newly formed Gateshead Karate Club to continue his training and help assist in teaching and promoting the club.