Steve Martin
Willie Chong Lee Lim Richard Cotterill Ding Teah Chean
With 41 years of training experience, Steve has studied under several respected instructors, including Toru Takamizawa (6th Dan) and Steve Rowe (9th Dan Karate, 9th Dan Tai Ki Karate, and founder of the Shi Kon Budo Kai Association). Tai Chi Chuan Sifu Ding Teah Chean 6th Generation, first disciple of Ip Tai Tak and Richard Cotterill Balintawak Combat System. Drawing on this extensive background, Steve went on to establish Shi Zen Do Martial Arts, the Shi Zen Do Karate system, and the SAFE programme—Shizendo’s dedicated self‑defence system.
Shi Kon Martial Arts from the 80s
Steve is a full‑time teacher and a qualified NVQ coach, and he also holds an NVQ Skills Assessor’s Award in Karate Competence. He has taught Martial Arts in Kent for many years, including delivering self‑defence programmes for school children.
In addition to Karate, Steve teaches Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan as passed down to him by Malaysian Master John Ding, the 6th disciple of Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak, 5th generation of the Yang family lineage. Steve trained as a personal student of Master Ding for 18 years, working exclusively on a one‑to‑one basis throughout that time.
Since 1995, Steve has also studied regularly with international American Master Willie Chong Lee Lim to further refine his Karate and Tai Chi. Over the years, they have developed a close personal friendship. Master Willie Lim of Classical Dimension holds a 7th Degree in RyuKyu Kempo Karate and an 8th Degree in Taekwondo, and serves as the U.S. Representative for Tae Kwon Do International and Sing Ong Tai Chi.
Steve continues to advance his martial arts knowledge and is currently training under Richard Cotterill, studying the Balintawak Combat System, which focuses on the use of the Escrima stick and knife. Richard is the founder and chief instructor of the International Balintawak European Group.
Martial arts is a lifelong study—for instructors as much as for students—and Steve currently holds a 6th Dan. Shi Zen Do Martial Arts embraces this philosophy of continuous learning: refining, progressing, adapting, developing, and ultimately transforming oneself through dedicated practice.
Meet The Team Of Instructors
Shizendo Martial Arts has a very experienced and highly trained team of Instructors ranging from 1st to 3rd Dan, who have been teaching Children and adults for many years. They have come through the Shizendo Karate system and fully understand how to apply and teach you to high a level, enabling you to fully functionalise the art. The Instructors first passion is Karate, but the Instructors also have other arts under their belt; Ju Jitsu, Tai Chi and various weapons systems. All of these could be accessed by the students through courses which run throughout the year. Each training session will have a number of Instructors coaching and encouraging you to develop and grow. Many of the Instructors run sessions for local schools, local council, Adult Education and the NHS.
