Sensei Steve Leak

Sensei Steve Leak started his martial arts training in 1974 in a small judo club in Nelson, Lancashire. At the age of sixteen he joined the army during which time he trained in unarmed combat techniques and boxing as well as continuing his judo training. In 1981 Sensei Leak joined a karate club in Colchester training in Wado Ryu karate under Sensei Les Birkin.

Due to his Army career coming to an end Sensei Leak only gained the rank of 8^th Kyu. On returning to Leeds he began training in Shotokan karate under Sensei Kevin Masterson. Over the years Sensei Leak has trained with other Sensei such as Mick Isaacs, Roy Stanhope, Terry Mather, Charles Gigley, Paul Griffin and Albie O'Connor to name but a few.

In April 2005 Sensei Leak retired from operating his full time dojo in Bramley Leeds and his first club which he founded in 1992 (Redhall Martial Arts , later Karate International East Leeds). He handed these to one of his students, Mr Jim Reece. This was in appreciation of Mr Reece's contribution to the club over the seven years he had trained with Sensei Leak.

Over the last fifteen years Sensei Leak has taught many pupils who have now gone on to run their own successful schools. He founded Redhall Martial Arts in St Margaret's Church Hall in Whinmoor, Leeds Here he taught Shotokan Karate and self defence and introduced Tobias & Jim Reece to Okinawan Kobudo which they both still practice. He then opened a full time centre in Bramley, Leeds. Again teaching Shotokan Karate plus with the assistance of Sensei Peter Clark he also offered classes in Jiu Jitsu & Kick Boxing. He still remains good friends with Sensei Clark. These now operate under the banner of Kaizen Martial Arts and are no longer linked to Karate International. He also founded TradKA.UK. This association is still operating under Jim Reece after Sensei Leak resigned due to family and other pressures TradKA.UK has no links to Karate International. West Leeds Shotokan Karate Club is run by Sensei Gary Holtom and Adrian Winter both are former students and black belts trained by Sensei Leak.

Sensei Leak has given advice to other clubs and instructors in the the UK. To name a few sensei Derek Laing of Sunderland Karate Academy, Steve King of Samurai Martial Arts in Wisbach. He has given seminars in France and Germany and in 2006 will be in the USA to deliver seminars in the San Francisco area.

Sensei Leak is now rebuilding his schools in the East Leeds area and his association is due to be assessed for membership for affiliation to become a representative of a formidable worldwide network. He is still available to give seminars in clubs if requested.