Welcome to TISKA Kettering, where children and adults can learn traditional Shotokan Karate in a friendly, supportive and disciplined environment.
Our Kettering club welcomes students of all abilities, from complete beginners through to experienced karateka. Whether you’re looking for a new activity for yourself or your child, want to improve your fitness or simply want to try something different, karate offers a rewarding challenge at any age.
Shotokan Karate develops much more than physical skills.
Regular training can help students improve:
Students also learn the importance of setting goals, working consistently and overcoming challenges.
These are skills that can be valuable not only in karate, but in everyday life.
Beginners are taught the fundamentals of karate step by step, with techniques broken down so that everyone can learn and develop at their own pace.
As students progress, they learn more advanced techniques, kata and kumite and work towards their next grading.
Each belt represents progress, but the real achievement comes from the effort, commitment and perseverance that goes into earning it.
Some students train for fitness and enjoyment, while others choose to compete or continue their journey towards Black Belt and beyond.
Whatever your goal, there is always something new to learn.
You don’t need any previous experience to start karate.
You don’t need to be fit or flexible, either. Our beginners are introduced to the basics gradually, allowing them to become comfortable with the training and build their skills over time.
Children, adults and families are all welcome.
If you’ve been thinking about trying karate, why not come along and see what it’s all about?
Contact us today to find out more about your free trial.
My name is Mr Matharu and I am a 6th Dan Shotokan Karate instructor with a passion for helping people discover the benefits of karate.
I have been training under TISKA Chief Instructor Shihan Gursharan Sahota, 9th Dan, since 1990. Over the years, karate has become much more than a martial art to me. It has been a lifelong journey of learning, discipline, competition, friendship and personal development.
I achieved my 6th Dan in 2022 and continue to train and develop my own karate by attending classes every week, as well as taking part in TISKA courses, gradings and international masters courses.
Competition has also played an important part in my karate journey.
I have competed successfully at both national and international level, giving me the opportunity to test my skills, learn from other karateka and experience the challenges and rewards that come with competition.
Although competition is an important part of karate for some students, it isn’t the goal for everyone. Whether someone wants to compete, work towards Black Belt, improve their fitness or simply learn a traditional martial art, I believe there is a place for everyone in karate.
I currently teach TISKA Karate clubs in Corby, Kettering, Stamford and Market Harborough.
As an instructor, my aim is to create classes where students are encouraged to work hard, learn properly and enjoy their training.
I believe that good karate training should challenge students without making them feel that they have to be perfect from the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere, and progress comes through regular practice, patience and perseverance.
For younger students, karate can help develop confidence, concentration, discipline and respect. For adults, it can provide an excellent way to stay active, learn self-defence and continually challenge yourself.
For everyone, there is the satisfaction of learning something new and seeing your own progress over time.
One of the things I value most about karate is that you never really stop learning.
Even after many years of training, there are always techniques to improve, new things to understand and new challenges to take on.
I attend classes and train every week, as well as attending TISKA courses and gradings in the UK and international masters courses. This helps me to continue developing my own karate and bring new knowledge and experience back to my students.
You don’t need any previous experience to start.
You don’t need to be particularly fit, strong or flexible either. Beginners are taught step by step and are given time to become comfortable with the training.
Whether you’re looking for a new activity for your child, want to improve your fitness, would like to learn self-defence or simply want to try something different, you’re welcome to come along.
I’d be delighted to help you take your first step on your karate journey.
Gusharan Sahota
Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa but moved to the UK at the age of 12. He took up Karate at the age of 14 in the local Bedford club and was awarded black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later.
Now a 9th Dan, Gursharan has competed in a multitude of kata and kumite events, many at national and international level. But the most significant event in his career was the visit he made in 1984 to Japan. There, he fulfilled a great ambition by training in a Japanese dojo under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Gursharan. On his return to England, he realised the trip had been the inspiration he needed to dedicate his future to training and teaching karate as a way of life.
Gursharan’s first club was opened in Luton/Dunstable in 1981 and this is now the association’s hombu (HQ). Having been a teacher of the art for many years, he formed his own association in 1993 – TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) which is now one of the biggest associations in the UK.
Gursharan’s love of karate has never diminished. He still teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and regularly takes master classes internationally. All in all, he has brought hundreds of students of all ages up to black belt standard and beyond.
He is also involved in charity work, helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to third world countries to operate on underprivileged children. He has, for many years, funded many projects in India, and is at present helping to fund the building of a new school.
Gursharan lives in Buckinghamshire and is happily married with a son and daughter who already show signs of following in their daddy’s footsteps.
Contact your school instructor to get started
