Sensei Steven Connell holds a 4th Dan (JKS) black belt in Shotokan Karate. He qualified as an instructor in 2015 and has been a JKS national medallist.
Steven began training as a child at Bristol Karate Academy’s Backwell dojo, achieving his black belt in 2007 at just 10 years of age. He’s trained with many inspiring instructors during his Karate career so far and has expanded his knowledge by training with instructors such as Senseis Alan Campbell, Frank Brennan, John & Holly Bruce, Matt Price and Saori Okamoto. Training with such a variety of people has helped him as both an instructor and a karateka to appreciate the art’s intricacies as well as to refine his understanding and approach.
Steven has achieved numerous successes at both regional and national competitions. In individual kata he’s won the South West Championships, HDKI Irish Open and has placed in the JKS England Nationals, WTKO Irish Open and KUGB Southern Region Championships. He’s been a member of Bristol Karate Academy’s winning kata, including winning the JKS England Nationals (twice), the WTKO Irish Open and the KUGB Southern Region championships. He’s also placed in Team Kata at the KUGB Nationals three times. While more well-known for his Kata, Steven has also had many successes in Kumite (sparring) events. He’s a former KUGB Southern Region Team Kumite Champion and was Individual Champion in Junior Kumite at both the KUGB Southern and South West Championships.
Steven believes Karate has benefits for adults, children and families, having trained alongside his parents and sister from age 7. As he's grown up with Karate around him he's found that its culture and ethics have helped mould him into the person he is today.
Steven's future aims are to continue to develop himself and to provide progressive training to help others shape themselves and their Karate.